bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OCT1-dependent uptake of structurally diverse pyrrolizidine alkaloids in human liver cells is crucial for their genotoxic and cytotoxic effects
Authors: Haas Manuel , Ackermann Gabriel , Küpper Jan-Heiner , Glatt Hansruedi , Schrenk Dieter , Fahrer Jörg
Published: September 2023

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are important plant hepatotoxins, which occur as contaminants in plant-based foods, feeds and phytomedicines. Numerous studies demonstrated that the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of PAs depend on their chemical structure, allowing for potency ranking and grouping. Organic cation transporter-1 (OCT1) was previously shown to be involved in the cellular uptake of the cyclic PA diesters monocrotaline, retrorsine and senescionine. However, little is known about the structure-dependent transport of PAs. Therefore, we investigated the impact of OCT1 on the uptake and toxicity of three structurally diverse PAs (heliotrine, lasiocarpine and riddelliine) differing in their degree and type of esterification in metabolically competent human liver cell models and hamster fibroblasts. Human HepG2-CYP3A4 liver cells were exposed to the respective PA in the presence or absence of the OCT1-inhibitors d-THP and quinidine, revealing a strongly attenuated cytotoxicity upon OCT1 inhibition. The same experiments were repeated in V79-CYP3A4 hamster fibroblasts, confirming that OCT1 inhibition prevents the cytotoxic effects of all tested PAs. Interestingly, OCT1 protein levels were much lower in V79-CYP3A4 than in HepG2-CYP3A4 cells, which correlated with their lower susceptibility to PA-induced cytotoxicity. The cytoprotective effect of OCT1 inhibiton was also demonstrated in primary human hepatocytes following PA exposure. Our experiments further showed that the genotoxic effects triggered by the three PAs are blocked by OCT1 inhibition as evidenced by strongly reduced γH2AX and p53 levels. Consistently, inhibition of OCT1-mediated uptake suppressed the activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) as revealed by decreased phosphorylation of checkpoint kinases upon PA treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated that PAs, independent of their degree of esterification, are substrates for OCT1-mediated uptake into human liver cells. We further provided evidence that OCT1 inhibition prevents PA-triggered genotoxicity, DDR activation and subsequent cytotoxicity. These findings highlight the crucial role of OCT1 together with CYP3A4-dependent metabolic activation for PA toxicity.
Impact of endocrine disruptors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro: role of gender
Authors: Maddalon Ambra , Cari Luigi , Iulini Martina , Alhosseini Mahdieh Naghavi , Galbiati Valentina , Marinovich Marina , Nocentini Giuseppe , Corsini Emanuela
Published: September 2023

Humans can be exposed to endocrine disruptors (EDs) in numerous ways. EDs can interfere with endogenous hormones at different levels, resulting in numerous adverse human health outcomes, including immunotoxicity. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate in vitro the possible effects of EDs on immune cells and possible gender differences. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy humans, both males and females, were exposed to 6 different EDs, namely atrazine (herbicide), cypermethrin (insecticide), diethyl phthalate (plasticizer), 17α-ethynylestradiol (contraceptive drug), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (persistent organic pollutant), and vinclozolin (fungicide). We evaluated the effect of EDs on RACK1 (receptor for activated C kinase 1) expression, considering it as a bridge between the endocrine and the immune system, and putatively used as screening tool of immunotoxic effects of EDs. The exposure to EDs resulted at different extent in alteration in RACK1 expression, pro-inflammatory activity, natural killer lytic ability, and lymphocyte differentiation, with sex-related differences. In particular, diethyl phthalate and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid resulted the most active EDs tested, with gender differences in terms of effects and magnitude. The results from our study evidenced the ability of EDs to directly affect immune cells.
Polynomial methods to construct inputs for uniformly ensemble reachable linear systems
Authors: Schönlein Michael
Published: September 2023

This paper is concerned with linear parameter-dependent systems and considers the notion of uniform ensemble reachability. The focus of this work is on constructive methods to compute suitable parameter-independent open-loop inputs for such systems. In contrast to necessary and sufficient conditions for ensemble reachability, computational methods have to distinguish between continuous-time and discrete-time systems. Based on recently derived sufficient conditions and techniques from polynomial approximation, we present two methods for discrete-time single-input linear systems. Moreover, we illustrate that one method can also be applied to certain continuous-time single-input systems.
Sichere roboterbasierte Produktion: Trends und Revisionen in Europäischen Normen und Richtlinien
Authors: Fischer Clara , Haspl Thomas , Rathmair Michael , Schlund Sebastian
Published: September 2023

Sicherheit, also Personen- sowie Informationssicherheit, ist eine der wichtigsten Anforderungen an jede Maschine und Anlage. Die Maschinenrichtlinie 2006/42/EG regelt das Inverkehrbringen von sicheren vollständigen und unvollständigen Maschinen. Ende Juni 2023 wurde die EU-weite Maschinenverordnung veröffentlicht, die die Maschinenrichtlinie in Zukunft ersetzen wird. Diese Neuerung ist für alle Maschinenbereiche von Relevanz. Speziell für die Robotik herrscht aktuell außerdem eine starke Revision im Bereich der Normierung. Zum einen wurde die ISO 13849, die meist verbreitete ISO-Norm für funktionale Sicherheit, erneuert. Zum anderen wird die ISO 10218, jene Norm, die die Anforderungen für den Entwurf von Industrierobotern und die Integration von deren Applikationen regelt, überarbeitet. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Einblick in die aktuellen Trends und Revisionen der europäischen Normen und Richtlinien, die für stationäre Industrieroboter und deren Applikationen relevant sind.
Individual Differences in Argument Strength Discrimination
Authors: Svedholm-Häkkinen Annika M. , Hietanen Mika , Baron Jonathan
Published: September 2023

Being able to discriminate poorly justified from well justified arguments is necessary for informed citizenship. However, it is not known whether the ability to recognize argument strength generalizes across different types of arguments, and what cognitive factors predict this ability or these abilities. Drawing on the theory of argument schemes, we examined arguments from consequence, analogy, symptoms, and authority in order to cover all major types of arguments. A study (N = 278) on the general population in Finland indicated that the ability to discriminate between strong and weak arguments did not differ between these schemes. Argument strength discrimination ability correlated positively with analytic thinking dispositions promoting both quality and quantity of thinking, slightly positively with education, and negatively with overconfidence. It was unrelated to an intuitive thinking style, and to self-rated mental effort.
Modelling of non-structural components of an industrial multi-storey frame for seismic risk assessment
Authors: Quinci Gianluca , Nardin Chiara , Paolacci Fabrizio , Bursi Oreste S.
Published: September 2023

Seismic risk assessment of industrial facilities is complex due to the presence of different types of equipment. It represents a research issue that requires further investigation. To this end, some analytical approaches have been developed in the framework of performance-based earthquake engineering. Nonetheless, their accuracy in the case of complex critical facilities, such as nuclear and non-nuclear industrial plants, is still under investigation. Thus, the proposed study intends to research in depth, in a risk assessment framework, some critical aspects related to: (1) modelling of industrial facilities and their secondary equipment with different degrees of accuracy, also taking into account their dynamic interaction; (2) selection of seismic records for fragility analysis, due to the narrow distribution of frequency values for non-structural components; (3) effectiveness of performance-based earthquake engineering applied to this particular class of coupled structure-equipment for risk assessment. In this context, the proper selection of seismic records becomes relevant, and SCoRes, an innovative algorithm for accelerograms selection is worthy of investigation. On these premises, two different configurations of a primary industrial structure, i.e. a moment resisting frame and a braced frame, equipped with non-structural components and subjected to shake table test campaigns are selected as case studies. For the two configurations, a vulnerability assessment of two vertical tanks installed on the first floor was carried out. Along these lines, to establish the effectiveness of the proposed method for both the moment resisting frame and braced frame configurations, the mean annual frequency of exceedance of the bottom-wall strain of the above-mentioned tanks, both at the design basis and safe shutdown earthquake has been evaluated.
Development and Validation of the Bullied Cognitions Inventory (BCI)
Authors: Graham Belinda , Ehlers Anke
Published: September 2023

Background

Bullying increases risk of social anxiety and can produce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to cognitive models, these are maintained by unhelpful beliefs, which are therefore assessed and targeted in cognitive therapy. This paper describes psychometric validation of a new measure of beliefs related to bullying experiences.

Methods

In an online survey of 1879 young people before starting university or college in the UK, 1279 reported a history of bullying (N = 1279), and 854 rated their agreement with beliefs about self and others related to bullying experiences and completed symptom measures of social anxiety and PTSD related to bullying. An empirical structure for a Bullied Cognitions Inventory was established using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and assessed using model fit statistics and tests of reliability and validity.

Results

Fifteen items clustered into four themes: “degraded in the eyes of others”, “negative interpretations of reactions to bullying”, “recognisable as a bullying victim” and “social defeat”. The measure has acceptable reliability and validity and, accounting for existing cognitive measures, explained additional variance in symptoms of PTSD but not social anxiety.

Conclusions

The Bullied Cognitions Inventory (BCI) is a valid and reliable tool for measuring cognitions related to bullying. It may be useful in therapy for identifying and monitoring unhelpful cognitions in those who were bullied.
Conventional and genetic associations of adiposity with 1463 proteins in relatively lean Chinese adults
Authors: Yao Pang , Iona Andri , Kartsonaki Christiana , Said Saredo , Wright Neil , Lin Kuang , Pozarickij Alfred , Millwood Iona , Fry Hannah , Mazidi Mohsen , Chen Yiping , Du Huaidong , Bennett Derrick , Avery Daniel , Schmidt Dan , Pei Pei , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Hill Michael , Chen Junshi , Peto Richard , Walters Robin , Collins Rory , Li Liming , Clarke Robert , Chen Zhengming ,   China Kadoorie Biobank Collaborative Group
Published: September 2023

Adiposity is associated with multiple diseases and traits, but little is known about the causal relevance and mechanisms underlying these associations. Large-scale proteomic profiling, especially when integrated with genetic data, can clarify mechanisms linking adiposity with disease outcomes. We examined the associations of adiposity with plasma levels of 1463 proteins in 3977 Chinese adults, using measured and genetically-instrumented BMI. We further used two-sample bi-directional MR analyses to assess if certain proteins influenced adiposity, along with other (e.g. enrichment) analyses to clarify possible mechanisms underlying the observed associations. Overall, the mean (SD) baseline BMI was 23.9 (3.3) kg/m2, with only 6% being obese (i.e. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Measured and genetically-instrumented BMI was significantly associated at FDR < 0.05 with levels of 1096 (positive/inverse: 826/270) and 307 (positive/inverse: 270/37) proteins, respectively, with FABP4, LEP, IL1RN, LSP1, GOLM2, TNFRSF6B, and ADAMTS15 showing the strongest positive and PON3, NCAN, LEPR, IGFBP2 and MOG showing the strongest inverse genetic associations. These associations were largely linear, in adiposity-to-protein direction, and replicated (> 90%) in Europeans of UKB (mean BMI 27.4 kg/m2). Enrichment analyses of the top > 50 BMI-associated proteins demonstrated their involvement in atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, tumour progression and inflammation. Two-sample bi-directional MR analyses using cis-pQTLs identified in CKB GWAS found eight proteins (ITIH3, LRP11, SCAMP3, NUDT5, OGN, EFEMP1, TXNDC15, PRDX6) significantly affect levels of BMI, with NUDT5 also showing bi-directional association. The findings among relatively lean Chinese adults identified novel pathways by which adiposity may increase disease risks and novel potential targets for treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases.
Gains in life expectancy from decreasing cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality – an analysis of 28 European countries 1995–2019
Authors: Wéber András , Laversanne Mathieu , Nagy Péter , Kenessey István , Soerjomataram Isabelle , Bray Freddie
Published: September 2023

Background

Life expectancy (LE) is an indicator of societal progress among rapidly aging populations. In recent decades, the displacement of deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer have been key drivers in further extending LE on the continent, though improvements vary markedly by country, sex, and over time. This study provides a comparative overview of the age-specific contributions of CVD and cancer to increasing LE in the 27 European Union member states, plus the U.K.

Methods

Cause-by-age decompositions of national changes in LE were conducted for the years 1995–1999 and 2015–2019 based on the standard approach of multiple decrement life tables to quantify the relative impact over time. The contributions of CVD and cancer mortality changes to differences in LE were computed by sex and age for each of the 28 countries. We examine the difference between the member states before 2004 (“founding countries”) and those which accessed the EU after 2004 (“A10 countries”).

Results

Among men, declines in CVD mortality in the founding countries of the EU were larger contributors to increasing LE over the last decades than malignant neoplasms: 2.26 years were gained by CVD declines versus 1.07 years for cancer, with 2.23 and 0.84 years gained in A10 countries, respectively. Among women in founding countries, 1.81 and 0.54 additional life years were attributable to CVD and cancer mortality declines, respectively, while in A10 countries, the corresponding values were 2.33 and 0.37 years. Lung and stomach cancer in men, and breast cancer in women were key drivers of gains in LE due to cancer overall, though rising mortality rates from lung cancer diminished the potential impact of increasing female LE in both EU founding (e.g., France, Spain, and Sweden) and A10 countries (e.g., Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia), notably among cohorts aged 55–70 years. Over the 25 years, the LE gap between the two sets of countries narrowed from 6.22 to 5.59 years in men, and from 4.03 to 3.12 years for women, with diminishing female mortality from CVD as a determinative contributor.

Conclusion

This study underscores the continued existence of an East-West divide in life expectancy across the EU27 + 1, evident on benchmarking the founding vs. A10 countries. In EU founding countries, continuous economic growth alongside improved health care, health promotion and protection policies have contributed to steady declines in mortality from chronic diseases, leading to increases in life expectancy. In contrast, less favourable mortality trends in the EU A10 countries indicate greater economic and health care challenges, and a failure to implement effective health policies.
Targeted sequencing of the Panicum miliaceum gene space and genotyping of variant sites from population genetics studies, combined in a single assay, as a tool for broomcorn millet assisted breeding
Authors: Magris Gabriele , Foria Serena , Ciani Silvano , Santra Dipak K. , Polenghi Ombretta , Cerne Virna , Morgante Michele , Di Gaspero Gabriele
Published: September 2023

Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a prehistorical cereal, today cultivated as a minor crop with low yields but with a renewed interest for its high water use efficiency and gluten-free grains. To reverse the downward trend in broomcorn millet cultivation, the crop needs genetic improvement and creation of novel genetic variation to increase productivity. In order to facilitate genomics-assisted breeding, we designed a reduced representation genome-sequencing assay that investigates 1.8% of the nuclear DNA in a targeted and reproducible way, with an intensity of genomic sampling that is a direct function of local recombination rate. We used this tool and set up bioinformatics analyses tailored to the polyploid genome of P. miliaceum for maternity and paternity testing, quantification and genomic distribution of homozygous regions and estimation of parental genome contribution for individual seedlings in advanced inbred lines from a breeding program and compared their genomic composition with registered varieties. We found several clues that suggest that the genetic purification process to ensure genetic uniformity is incomplete in varieties of this species. Residual heterozygosity was detected in the genome of three registered varieties ranging from 4.4 to 6.25% of their haploid genome length. Other registered varieties show genome-wide homozygosity. We found, however, evidence of intravarietal genetic variation in three cases that suggest that the breeder seed or commercial seed production had fixed by self-pollination multiple inbred lines with very similar, though not identical, genotypes within each variety.
Queueing network models for the analysis and optimisation of material handling systems: a systematic literature review
Authors: Amjath Mohamed , Kerbache Laoucine , Elomri Adel , Smith James MacGregor
Published: September 2023

Material handling systems (MHSs) are an integral part of logistics functions in manufacturing and service organizations. Material handling equipment (MHE) is considered the pivotal actor of any given MHS. Decisions ranging from the strategic level, such as selecting the proper MHE, capacity, and ownership (in-house or outsourcing) to operational level decisions such as resource allocation, scheduling, and routing of MHEs, are critical to the efficiency of an MHS. Industry practitioners use various methods and tools to evaluate these MHSs to find the best policies for their operations. This study identifies past works related to the performance evaluation and optimisation of MHSs using queueing network models. Moreover, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of identified research questions. The study methodology adopts a systematic literature review, bibliometric, and content analysis techniques proposed in similar research studies. This study provides material logistics scholars and practitioners with a thorough understanding of queueing networks as a modelling tool for analysing MHS applications in various domains.
Silicon improves the growth of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. under salt and/or drought stress by regulating respiration metabolism
Authors: Fan Ming , Zhang Enhe , Zhang Xinhui , Liu Qinglin , Guo Fengxia
Published: September 2023

Drought and salt stress severely threaten the growth and productivity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (G.uralensis), and usually, they occur concomitantly. Silicon (Si) addition is well known to enhance the tolerance of plants. Here, we analyzed the changes in parameters related to growth and respiration, including glycolysis pathway (EMP), tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) by Si in G. uralensis seedlings under salt and/or drought stresses. Results showed that Si effectively alleviated the effect of salt, drought and combined stress on the growth and respiration metabolism of G. uralensis seedlings. Under salt stress, Si increased leaf number by 15.13%, upregulated the TCA pathway at the transcriptional level, and increased PFK, PK, and content of acetyl CoA in both aerial and underground, ICDHm, α-KGDH in aerial part and NAD-MDH in underground part, thus alleviating the inhibitory effect of salt stress on the EMP–TCA process, but weakening the PPP by declining G6PDH and 6-PGDH in aerial part by 34.10% and 55.54%, and G6PDH in underground part by 83.86%. Under drought stress, Si increased underground biomass by 11.40%, slowed the EMP by decreasing PFK in aerial part by 21.76%, PK and PFK in underground part by 38.11% and 64.71%, weakened PPP by reducing 6-PGDH in aerial part by 72.9%, G6PDH and 6-PGDH in underground part by 77.00% and 64.71%. Si increased SDH and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) by 28.66% and 145.48% with the TCA cycle and GABA shunt as the main respiratory pathways in the underground part of drought-stressed seedlings. Under combined stresses, Si addition increased leaf number and aboveground biomass by 11.96% and 23.88%, upregulated the EMP and TCA pathways at the transcriptional level, and alleviated the effects of combined stress on EMP–TCA metabolic processes at the physiological and biochemical levels by increasing PDH, α-KGDH and NAD-MDH in aerial part by 27.22%, 18.85% and 140.37%, HK, PK and PEPC in underground part by 93.97%, 25.81% and 31.19%, initiated the replenishment mechanism and inhibited GABA shunt in underground part of G. uralensis to provide energy for vital activities. In conclusion, Si can effectively regulate respiration metabolism process to provide more substrates for subsequent physiological processes, thus improving tolerance to salt and drought stress, and thereby promote the growth of G. uralensis seedlings under stress conditions.
J147 ameliorates sepsis-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice by attenuating neuroinflammation through regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Qiu Fang , Zeng Changchun , Liu Yuqiang , Pan Haobo , Ke Changneng
Published: September 2023

Neuroinflammation is associated with the pathophysiology of depression. The molecular mechanism of depressive-like behavior caused by sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is incompletely understood. J147 (an analog of curcumin) has been reported to improve memory and has neuroprotective activity, but its biological function in the depressive-like behavior observed in SAE is not known. We investigated the effects of J147 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammatory, depressive-like behaviors, and the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal pathway in the mouse hippocampus and microglia (BV2 cells). The forced-swimming test (FST) and tail-suspension test (TST) were undertaken for assessment of depressive-like behaviors. Expression of the proinflammatory genes interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured using RT-qPCR and ELISA. Microglia activation was detected using immunofluorescence staining. The TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was studied using western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. J147 pretreatment markedly downregulated expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and the mean fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium-binding adapter protein-1 in microglia. J147 restrained LPS-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκB) degradation, and TLR4 activation in microglia. J147 administration inhibited bodyweight loss, mortality, microglia activation, and depressive-like behaviors in LPS-treated mice. In conclusion, J147 ameliorated the sepsis-induced depressive-like behaviors induced by neuroinflammation through attenuating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in microglia.
Therapeutic Goal Types in Young People’s Mental Health Providers and Changes in Anxiety and Mood
Authors: Smith Nicholas , Janbakhsh Melika , Gay Hollie , Limond Jennifer , Parker Jonathan
Published: September 2023

Clinical goal setting is an important area of practice within mental health interventions for children and young people (CYP). The present research aimed to explore the type of intervention goals set by CYP during mental health interventions. Further, changes in goal progress from pre- to post-intervention were compared between externally observed behavioural goals and subjective feelings-based goals. The relationship between therapeutic goal achievement and changes in symptoms of depression and anxiety (measured using the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale) was also investigated. Data were collected from 792 participants aged 3 to 18 years (mean age: 13.8, SD: 2.85) across all gender identities and ethnicities, who received low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy interventions from Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners in the Southwest of England. A mixed methods approach involving conceptual content analysis, correlational analysis, and group comparisons was utilised. Eleven categories of child-rated goals were identified. The most commonly developed goals focused on understanding, managing, and expressing emotions and feelings. No significant differences were found between behavioural and feelings-based goals (p = 0.061). Partial correlations demonstrated that improvements in goal progress were significantly associated with reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms (rs > −0.157, p < 0.001), even when controlling for the number of sessions attended (rs > −0.146, p < 0.001). Integrating goal-based outcomes with standardised measures could enhance a comprehensive approach to service delivery and evaluation.
A new texture descriptor for data-driven constitutive modeling of anisotropic plasticity
Authors: Schmidt Jan , Hartmaier Alexander
Published: September 2023

Constitutive modeling of anisotropic plastic material behavior traditionally follows a deductive scheme, relying on empirical observations that are cast into analytic equations, the so-called phenomenological yield functions. Recently, data-driven constitutive modeling has emerged as an alternative to phenomenological models as it offers a more general way to describe the material behavior with no or fewer assumptions. In data-driven constitutive modeling, methods of statistical learning are applied to infer the yield function directly from a data set generated by experiments or numerical simulations. Currently these data sets solely consist of stresses and strains, considering the microstructure only implicitly. Similar to the phenomenological approach, this limits the generality of the inferred material model, as it is only valid for the specific material employed in the virtual or physical experiments. In this work, we present a new generic descriptor for crystallographic texture that allows an explicit consideration of the microstructure in data-driven constitutive modeling. This descriptor compromises between generality and complexity and is based on an approximately equidistant discretization of the orientation space. We prove its ability to capture the structure–property relationships between a variety of cubic–orthorhombic textures and their anisotropic plastic behavior expressed by the yield function Yld2004-18p. Three different machine learning models trained with the descriptor can predict yield loci as well asr-values of unseen microstructures with sufficient accuracy. The descriptor allows an explicit consideration of crystallographic texture, providing a pathway to microstructure-sensitive data-driven constitutive modeling.
Are LSTMs good few-shot learners?
Authors: Huisman Mike , Moerland Thomas M. , Plaat Aske , van Rijn Jan N.
Published: September 2023

Deep learning requires large amounts of data to learn new tasks well, limiting its applicability to domains where such data is available. Meta-learning overcomes this limitation by learning how to learn. Hochreiter et al. (International conference on artificial neural networks, Springer, 2001) showed that an LSTM trained with backpropagation across different tasks is capable of meta-learning. Despite promising results of this approach on small problems, and more recently, also on reinforcement learning problems, the approach has received little attention in the supervised few-shot learning setting. We revisit this approach and test it on modern few-shot learning benchmarks. We find that LSTM, surprisingly, outperform the popular meta-learning technique MAML on a simple few-shot sine wave regression benchmark, but that LSTM, expectedly, fall short on more complex few-shot image classification benchmarks. We identify two potential causes and propose a new method called Outer Product LSTM (OP-LSTM) that resolves these issues and displays substantial performance gains over the plain LSTM. Compared to popular meta-learning baselines, OP-LSTM yields competitive performance on within-domain few-shot image classification, and performs better in cross-domain settings by 0.5–1.9% in accuracy score. While these results alone do not set a new state-of-the-art, the advances of OP-LSTM are orthogonal to other advances in the field of meta-learning, yield new insights in how LSTM work in image classification, allowing for a whole range of new research directions. For reproducibility purposes, we publish all our research code publicly.
Connecting beams and continua: variational basis and mathematical analysis
Authors: Romero Ignacio , Schenk Christina
Published: September 2023

We present a new variational principle for linking models of beams and deformable solids, providing also its mathematical analysis. Despite the apparent differences between the two types of governing equations, it will be shown that the equilibrium of systems combining beams and solids can be obtained from a joint constrained variational principle and that the resulting boundary-value problem is well posed.
MicroRNA-499-5p inhibits transforming growth factor-β1-induced Smad2 signaling pathway and suppresses fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in rat by targeting TGFβ-R1
Authors: Zhao Qing , Yang Wentao , Li Xiangdong , Yuan Hongtao , Guo Jianping , Wang Yutang , Shan Zhaoliang
Published: September 2023

Background

Atrial fibrosis has been recognized as a typical pathological change in atrial fibrillation. Although present evidence suggests that microRNA-499-5p (miR-499-5p) plays an important role in the development of atrial fibrosis, the specific mechanism is not fully understood. Therefore, this study attempted to assess the influence of miR-499-5p on atrial fibroblasts and explore the potential molecular mechanism.

Methods

Atrial fibroblasts from sprague dawley rat were respectively transfected with miR-499-5p mimic, miR-499-5p negative control and miR-499-5p inhibitor, atrial fibroblasts without any treatment were also established. Cell counting kit-8 assay and transwell assay were used to detect the proliferation and migration of atrial fibroblasts in each group. Expressions of miR-499-5p, TGF-β1, smad2, α-SMA, collagen-I and TGFβ-R1 in mRNA and protein level were subsequently detected via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Furthermore, the prediction of the binding sites of miR-499-5p and TGFβ-R1 was performed via the bioinformatics online software TargetScan and verified by dual luciferase reporter.

Results

By utilizing miR-499-5p-transfected atrial fibroblasts model, expression of miR-499-5p in the miR-499-5p mimic group was upregulated, while it was downregulated in the miR-499-5p inhibitor group. Upregulated miR-499-5p expression led to a significant decrease in the proliferative and migratory ability of cultured atrial fibroblasts, while downregulated miR-499-5p expression led to a significant increase in the proliferative and migratory ability of cultured atrial fibroblasts. Additionally, upregulated miR-499-5p expression made a significant rise in TGF-β1-induced mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1, TGFβ-R1, smad2, α-SMA and collagen-I in atrial fibroblasts. Furthermore, results from the dual luciferase reporter conformed that miR-499-5p may repress TGFβ-R1 by binding the 3′UTR of TGFβ-R1 directly.

Conclusions

miR-499-5p is able to inhibit the activation of transforming growth factor β-induced Smad2 signaling and eventually suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of atrial fibroblasts and collagen synthesis by targeting TGFβ-R1.
Fictional force
Authors: Stokke Andreas
Published: September 2023

This paper argues for an account of fictional force, the central characteristic of the kind of non-assertoric speech act that authors of fictions are engaged in. A distinction is drawn between what is true in a fiction and the fictional record comprising what the audience has been told. The papers argues that to utter a sentence with fictional force is to intend that its content be added to a fictional record. It is shown that this view accounts for phenomena such as conversational implicatures in fictional discourse. Moreover, the view is seen to provide an attractive way of distinguishing fictional utterances from assertoric utterances. As a consequence, this account of fictional force offers a satisfactory way of distinguishing fiction from lying.
Policy uncertainty and real activities manipulation: evidence from Brexit
Authors: Makarem Naser , Singh Harjinder , Sultana Nigar , Henderson Darren
Published: September 2023

Brexit exposed the UK to substantial policy uncertainty that could affect the performance and behavior of British firms. We examine the impact of Brexit as an exogenous shock to policy uncertainty on real activities manipulation by British firms. Using several measures of real activities manipulation and a difference-in-differences design, we compare the earnings management of firms most adversely affected by Brexit uncertainty (affected firms) to other firms. Our results indicate that the affected firms exhibit higher real activities manipulation after the Brexit vote and we also find that they demonstrate similarly higher accruals management. Our findings suggesting that policy uncertainty induces the costly practice of real activities manipulation are relevant to various stakeholders including policymakers and financial statements users.
The Europa Clipper Magnetometer
Authors: Kivelson Margaret G. , Jia Xianzhe , Lee Karen A. , Raymond Carol A. , Khurana Krishan K. , Perley Mitchell O. , Biersteker John B. , Blacksberg Jordana , Caron Ryan , Cochrane Corey J. , Dawson Olivia R. , Harris Camilla D. K. , Jones Jonathan E. , Joy Steven , Korth Haje , Liu Jiang , Maghsoudi Elham , Murphy Neil , Parsley David , Pierce David R. , Racho Caroline , Richter Ingo , Russell Christopher T. , Sherman Sarah , Strangeway Robert J. , Villarreal Mickey , Weiss Benjamin P. , Wigglesworth Lee
Published: September 2023

Global-scale properties of Europa’s putative ocean, including its depth, thickness, and conductivity, can be established from measurements of the magnetic field on multiple close flybys of the moon at different phases of the synodic and orbital periods such as those planned for the Europa Clipper mission. The Europa Clipper Magnetometer (ECM) has been designed and constructed to provide the required high precision, temporally stable measurements over the range of temperatures and other environmental conditions that will be encountered in the solar wind and at Jupiter. Three low-noise, tri-axial fluxgate sensors provided by the University of California, Los Angeles are controlled by an electronics unit developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Each fluxgate sensor measures the vector magnetic field over a wide dynamic range (±4000 nT per axis) with a resolution of 8 pT. A rigorous magnetic cleanliness program has been adopted for the spacecraft and its payload. The sensors are mounted far out on an 8.5 m boom to form a configuration that makes it possible to measure the remaining spacecraft field and remove its contribution to data from the outboard sensor. This paper provides details of the magnetometer design, implementation and testing, the ground calibrations and planned calibrations in cruise and in orbit at Jupiter, and the methods to be used to extract Europa’s inductive response from the data. Data will be collected at nominal rates of 1 or 16 samples/s and will be processed at UCLA and delivered to the Planetary Data System in a timely manner.
Intra- & Extra-Source Exemplar-Based Style Synthesis for Improved Domain Generalization
Authors: Li Yumeng , Zhang Dan , Keuper Margret , Khoreva Anna
Published: September 2023

The generalization with respect to domain shifts, as they frequently appear in applications such as autonomous driving, is one of the remaining big challenges for deep learning models. Therefore, we propose an exemplar-based style synthesis pipeline to improve domain generalization in semantic segmentation. Our method is based on a novel masked noise encoder for StyleGAN2 inversion. The model learns to faithfully reconstruct the image, preserving its semantic layout through noise prediction. Random masking of the estimated noise enables the style mixing capability of our model, i.e. it allows to alter the global appearance without affecting the semantic layout of an image. Using the proposed masked noise encoder to randomize style and content combinations in the training set, i.e., intra-source style augmentation ($$\textrm{ISSA}$$
ISSA
) effectively increases the diversity of training data and reduces spurious correlation. As a result, we achieve up to $$12.4\%$$

12.4
%

mIoU improvements on driving-scene semantic segmentation under different types of data shifts, i.e., changing geographic locations, adverse weather conditions, and day to night. $$\textrm{ISSA}$$
ISSA
is model-agnostic and straightforwardly applicable with CNNs and Transformers. It is also complementary to other domain generalization techniques, e.g., it improves the recent state-of-the-art solution RobustNet by $$3\%$$

3
%

mIoU in Cityscapes to Dark Zürich. In addition, we demonstrate the strong plug-n-play ability of the proposed style synthesis pipeline, which is readily usable for extra-source exemplars e.g., web-crawled images, without any retraining or fine-tuning. Moreover, we study a new use case to indicate neural network’s generalization capability by building a stylized proxy validation set. This application has significant practical sense for selecting models to be deployed in the open-world environment. Our code is available at https://github.com/boschresearch/ISSA.
Missile thermal emission flow field under the synergistic effect of deep reinforcement learning and wireless sensor network
Authors: Zhou Quanlin , Xiong Xinhong , Zhu Long , Wang Guoxian
Published: September 2023

The vehicle-mounted missile vertical thermal emission not only has excellent maneuverability, randomness, and concealment, but also has a short response time, good versatility, and high reliability, so it is widely used. In order to explore the gas flow field of thermal emission of the vehicle-mounted missile, firstly, this study introduces the theoretical basis of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm and wireless sensor network (WSN). Secondly, combining WSN and DRL, a WSN technology based on DRL is proposed. Finally, the DRL-based WSN technology is applied to the vertical thermal emission of the vehicle-mounted missile. In addition, the flow field simulation software is employed to simulate and compare the influence of the single-side and double-side diversion schemes of the gas flow discharged by the diverter on the open ground field flat collection launcher, and the diversion characteristics of the two schemes are obtained. The results show that in the single-side diversion scheme, the impact and ablation area of the gas jet on the ground mainly appear at the rear side of the diversion device, and the ablation area of the gas jet on the launcher vehicle is mainly at its tail end. While the ablative site and shock of the double-side diversion scheme on the ground mainly appear on both sides of the diversion, and the ablative part of the gas jet to the launcher is mainly present at the bottom of the frame and the inside surface of the tire. The study of missile thermal emission flow fields based on DRL and WSN has certain theoretical significance for the flow field variation of missile launching.
An overview on multimodal imaging for the diagnostic workup of pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Gabelloni Michela , Faggioni Lorenzo , Brunese Maria Chiara , Picone Carmine , Fusco Roberta , Aquaro Giovanni Donato , Cioni Dania , Neri Emanuele , Gandolfo Nicoletta , Giovagnoni Andrea , Granata Vincenza
Published: September 2023

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an aggressive disease that has a strong causal relationship with asbestos exposure and represents a major challenge from both a diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoint. Despite recent improvements in patient care, PM typically carries a poor outcome, especially in advanced stages. Therefore, a timely and effective diagnosis taking advantage of currently available imaging techniques is essential to perform an accurate staging and dictate the most appropriate treatment strategy. Our aim is to provide a brief, but exhaustive and up-to-date overview of the role of multimodal medical imaging in the management of PM.
An in-depth characterization of the Habitat of Thelypteris interrupta in South Korea
Authors: Lim Jeong-Cheol , Yang Ju-Eun , Lee Gyeong-Yeon , Choi Byoung-Ki
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The Deonggae coast on Jeju Island is a unique habitat that has not yet been studied from an ecological management or conservation perspective, despite its importance as the northernmost habitat of subtropical plants in Asia and the sole habitat of an endangered fern,Thelypteris interrupta, in Korea. To provide insights into this habitat’s systematic management, we comprehensively characterized its abiotic and biotic components.

Methods

Our study found two distinct plant communities (Persicaria japonica-Thelypteris interruptaandThelypteris interrupta-Phragmites australis), driven by their respective microhabitats and influenced by soil inundation frequency, water depth, and salinity. We examined the phytosociological similarities and habitat characteristics of these two communities.

Results

Thelypteris interruptacould be distributed in the northernmost part of the Deonggae coast due to its greater heat preference. However, this limits its spread toward polar regions. We suggested minimizing the transformation of wetlands into terrestrial habitats by reducing the introduction of external soils and establishing ecological continuity with neighboring ecosystems while educating visitors about the area’s ecology as two habitat conservation practices.

Conclusion

The Deonggae coast is a natural wetland with a high conservation value as a habitat for endangered wildlife and a refuge for opportunistic species under the influence of climate change.
Astrocytic Extracellular Vesicles Regulated by Microglial Inflammatory Responses Improve Stroke Recovery
Authors: Kijima Chikage , Inaba Toshiki , Hira Kenichiro , Miyamoto Nobukazu , Yamashiro Kazuo , Urabe Takao , Hattori Nobutaka , Ueno Yuji
Published: September 2023

There are no effective treatments for post-stroke glial scar formation, which inhibits axonal outgrowth and functional recovery after stroke. We investigated whether astrocytic extracellular vesicles (AEVs) regulated by microglia modulate glial scars and improve stroke recovery. We found that peri-infarct glial scars comprised reactive astrocytes with proliferating C3d and decreased S100A10 expression in chronic stroke. In cultured astrocytes, microglia-conditioned media and treatment with P2Y1 receptor antagonists increased and reduced the area of S100A10- and C3d-expressing reactive astrocytes, respectively, by suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κB)/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interleukin-1β signaling after oxygen–glucose deprivation. Intracerebral administrations of AEVs enriched miR-146a-5p, downregulated NF-κB, and suppressed TNF-α expressions, by transforming reactive astrocytes to those with S100A10 preponderance, causing functional recovery in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. Modulating neuroinflammation in post-stroke glial scars could permit axonal outgrowth, thus providing a basis for stroke recovery with neuroprotective AEVs.
A Dual-Species Atom Interferometer Payload for Operation on Sounding Rockets
Authors: Elsen Michael , Piest Baptist , Adam Fabian , Anton Oliver , Arciszewski Paweł , Bartosch Wolfgang , Becker Dennis , Bleeke Kai , Böhm Jonas , Boles Sören , Döringshoff Klaus , Guggilam Priyanka , Hellmig Ortwin , Imwalle Isabell , Kanthak Simon , Kürbis Christian , Koch Matthias , Lachmann Maike Diana , Mihm Moritz , Müntinga Hauke , Nepal Ayush Mani , Oberschulte Tim , Ohr Peter , Papakonstantinou Alexandros , Prat Arnau , Reichelt Christian , Sommer Jan , Spindeldreier Christian , Warner Marvin , Wendrich Thijs , Wenzlawski André , Blume Holger , Braxmaier Claus , Lüdtke Daniel , Peters Achim , Rasel Ernst Maria , Sengstock Klaus , Wicht Andreas , Windpassinger Patrick , Grosse Jens
Published: September 2023

We report on the design and the construction of a sounding rocket payload capable of performing atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates of$$^{41}$$41K and$$^{87}$$87Rb. The apparatus is designed to be launched in two consecutive missions with a VSB-30 sounding rocket and is qualified to withstand the expected vibrational loads of 1.8 g root-mean-square in a frequency range between 20–2000 Hz and the expected static loads during ascent and re-entry of 25 g. We present a modular design of the scientific payload comprising a physics package, a laser system, an electronics system and a battery module. A dedicated on-board software provides a largely automated process of predefined experiments. To operate the payload safely in laboratory and flight mode, a thermal control system and ground support equipment has been implemented and will be presented. The payload presented here represents a cornerstone for future applications of matter wave interferometry with ultracold atoms on satellites.
Modeling vadose zone hydrological processes in naturally occurring piezometric depressions: the Chari-Baguirmi region, southeastern of the Lake Chad Basin, Republic of Chad
Authors: Salehi Siavashani Nafiseh , Valdés-Abellán Javier , Do Fréderic , Jiménez-Martínez Joaquín , Elorza F. Javier , Candela Lucila , Serrat-Capdevila Aleix
Published: September 2023

The Chari-Baguirmi region, southeastern of the Lake Chad (Africa), has a wide naturally occurring piezometric depression with values deeper than the expected regional groundwater level. To date, the most widely accepted hypotheses to explain its origin and dynamics are based on lack of rainwater infiltration and exfiltration processes. The code HYDRUS-1D is applied to numerically simulate the hydrological flow processes along the unsaturated zone in two soil profiles located in the central part and on the boundary of this piezometric depression under bare and vegetated soil coverage. The simulated time period is 2004–2015 with 715 mm annual rainfall average. The computed recharge with respect to total precipitation accounts for 21% on the boundary and 12% in the central part, which is limited by thick silty low permeability layer on the top surface. Considering modelling uncertainty and limitations under the simulated climatic conditions, the rainfall effect is observed only at upper soil layers, which leads to low aquifer recharge, while the upward water flux causing water table evaporation is very low. Past climate conditions, capable of developing a drying front to reach the water table after thousands of years of drying and geological structural constraints, may explain the current depressed area.