bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute and chronic hypopituitarism following traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Aljboor Ghaith S. , Tulemat Aoun , Al-Saedi Ali Ridha , Radoi Mugurel Petrinel , Toader Corneliu , Papacocea Toma Marius
Published: November 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with various endocrine abnormalities, including pituitary axis dysfunction. Understanding the prevalence and temporal patterns of these dysfunctions is crucial for effective clinical management. This study aimed to systematically review the literature and conduct a meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of pituitary axis dysfunction following TBI, assess temporal patterns across different post-injury durations, and identify potential contributing factors. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple electronic databases between 1st of January 2000 until 31st March 2024. Studies reporting the prevalence of pituitary axis dysfunction post-TBI were included. Pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models in the R statistical software. Subgroup analyses were performed based on duration post-TBI (< 3 months, 3–6 months, 6–12 months, > 12 months) to explore temporal variations. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I^2 statistic. A total of 52 studies were included in the meta-analysis, encompassing 7367 participants. The pooled estimate for the prevalence of any pituitary axis dysfunction post-TBI was 33% (95% CI [28%; 37%]). Subgroup analysis by duration revealed varying prevalence rates: < 3 months (40%, 95% CI [27%; 53%]), 3–6 months (31%, 95% CI [15%; 47%]), 6–12 months (26%, 95% CI [19%; 33%]), and > 12 months (32%, 95% CI [26%; 38%]). Prevalence of multiple axes affection was 7% (95% CI [6%; 9%]), with varying rates across durations. Specific axes affection varied: Growth Hormone (GH) deficiency was 18% (95% CI [14%; 21%]), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency was 10% (95% CI [8%; 13%]), pituitary–gonadal axis hormones deficiency was 16% (95% CI [12%; 19%]), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) deficiency was 6% (95% CI [5%; 7%]). This meta-analysis highlights a significant prevalence of pituitary axis dysfunction following TBI, with temporal variations observed across different post-injury durations. The findings underscore the importance of tailored clinical management strategies based on the duration and type of dysfunction. Further research addressing potential contributing factors is warranted to enhance understanding and management of these conditions.
Computing the Noncommutative Inner Rank by Means of Operator-Valued Free Probability Theory
Authors: Hoffmann Johannes , Mai Tobias , Speicher Roland
Published: November 2024

We address the noncommutative version of the Edmonds’ problem, which asks to determine the inner rank of a matrix in noncommuting variables. We provide an algorithm for the calculation of this inner rank by relating the problem with the distribution of a basic object in free probability theory, namely operator-valued semicircular elements. We have to solve a matrix-valued quadratic equation, for which we provide precise analytical and numerical control on the fixed point algorithm for solving the equation. Numerical examples show the efficiency of the algorithm.
Continuous Evolution of Digital Twins using the DarTwin Notation
Authors: Mertens Joost , Klikovits Stefan , Bordeleau Francis , Denil Joachim , Haugen Øystein
Published: November 2024

Despite best efforts, various challenges remain in the creation and maintenance processes of digital twins (DTs). One of those primary challenges is the constant, continuous and omnipresent evolution of systems, their user’s needs and their environment, demanding the adaptation of the developed DT systems. DTs are developed for a specific purpose, which generally entails the monitoring, analysis, simulation or optimisation of a specific aspect of an actual system, referred to as the actual twin (AT). As such, when the twin system changes, that is either the AT itself changes, or the scope/purpose of a DT is modified, the DTs usually evolve in close synchronicity with the AT. As DTs are software systems, the best practices or methodologies for software evolution can be leveraged. This paper tackles the challenge of maintaining a (set of) DT(s) throughout the evolution of the user’s requirements and priorities and tries to understand how this evolution takes place. In doing so, we provide two contributions: (i) we develop , a visual notation form that enables reasoning on a twin system, its purposes, properties and implementation, and (ii) we introduce a set of architectural transformations that describe the evolution of DT systems. The development of these transformations is driven and illustrated by the evolution and transformations of a family home’s DT, whose purpose is expanded, changed and re-prioritised throughout its ongoing lifecycle. Additionally, we evaluate the transformations on a laboratory-scale gantry crane’s DT.
Thrombo-CARE—cardioembolic stroke etiology in cryptogenic stroke suggested by fibrin-/platelet-rich clot histology
Authors: Schwarzenhofer Daniel C. , von Oertzen Tim , Weis Serge , Sonnberger Michael , Gruber Joachim , Tröscher Anna , Wagner Helga , Hermann Philipp , Grubauer Birgit , Wagner Judith
Published: November 2024

Background

Despite extensive diagnostic efforts, the etiology of stroke remains unclear in up to 30% of patients. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) potentially enhances etiological determination by (immuno)histological analysis of retrieved thrombotic material.

Methods

In this monocentric exploratory study, clots from 200 patients undergoing MT were investigated by hematoxylin and eosin, CD3, and CD45 staining. Semiquantitative and computer-based image analysis defined the histological composition and relative fractions of immunohistochemically stained areas. First, we correlated these results with strokes of known etiology. Subsequently, clots of unknown source were characterized with regard to their (immuno)histological profile to attempt etiological classification.

Results

Samples from 198 patients were accessible for analysis. Fibrin-/platelet-rich histology appeared in 45 (23%), erythrocyte-rich in 18 (9%), and mixed histology in 123 (62%) patients. Etiology was classified as cardioembolic in 87 (44%), arterioembolic in 37 (19%), and as cryptogenic stroke (CS) in 26 (13%) cases. 20 (23%) patients with cardioembolic stroke and 5 (14%) patients with arterioembolic stroke had fibrin-/platelet-rich clots. 8 (22%) patients with arterioembolic stroke and 1 (1%) patient with cardioembolic stroke had erythrocyte-rich clots. In CS, cardioembolic clot features appeared more than twice as often as arterioembolic clot features. Whereas the association between histology and etiology was significant (p = 0.0057), CD3/CD45 staining did not correlate.

Conclusion

A significant association between histology and etiology was observed, with the proportion of erythrocyte-rich thrombi being largest among arterioembolic strokes and the proportion of fibrin-/platelet-rich thrombi highest among cardioembolic strokes. A high number of clots from CS presented histological features of cardioembolic clots. Thus, patients with CS and fibrin-/platelet-rich clots particularly require long-term cardiac rhythm monitoring and may benefit from oral anticoagulation.
Some properties of the ideal of nowhere dense sets in the common division topology
Authors: Kwela M.
Published: November 2024

We consider the ideal of nowhere dense sets in the common division topology (Szyszkowska’s ideal), and examine some of its basic properties. We also explore the possible inclusions between the studied ideal and Furstenberg’s and Rizza’s ideals, thus answering open questions posed in a recent article by A. Nowik and P. Szyszkowska [17]. Moreover, we discuss the relationships of the Szyszkowska’s ideal with selected well-known ideals playing an important role in number theory and combinatorics.
Advancing aquaculture: fuzzy logic-based water quality monitoring and maintenance system for precision aquaculture
Authors: Nagothu Sudheer Kumar , Bindu Sri Pudota , Anitha G. , Vincent Shweta , Kumar Om Prakash
Published: November 2024

Aquaculture plays a vital role in global food production, and maintaining optimal water quality is essential for the health and growth of aquatic species. This research addresses the need for an efficient, adaptive solution by introducing an innovative water quality monitoring and maintenance system for aquaculture ponds. Unlike conventional systems, our approach uniquely integrates fuzzy logic with IoT technologies to optimise the precision and adaptability of pond management. The system stands out with its continuous monitoring of critical parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), weather conditions and salinity and its ability to autonomously adjust operational controls, such as aerators and water pumps, based on dynamic environmental changes. This ensures ideal water conditions without manual intervention, providing a reliable and effective solution for aquaculture pond management. This work’s novelty lies in applying fuzzy Logic to handle the complexity and variability of aquaculture environments, allowing for nuanced control decisions that improve water quality management. The system’s efficiency was demonstrated through a 72-h operational test, where it maintained optimal DO and salinity levels, showcasing its reliability and effectiveness in real-world conditions. The fuzzy logic model has demonstrated a commendable accuracy rate of 98%. These results validate the system’s performance and underscore its practical benefits, meeting the demands of aquaculture production and significantly enhancing operational efficiency by enabling remote monitoring and rapid issue identification. This research contributes a robust technological solution for aquafarmers, offering a promising advancement in aquaculture management by improving productivity and ensuring the health and growth of aquatic species.
Leveraging AI-enhanced and emerging technologies for pedagogical innovations in higher education
Authors: Bayaga Anass
Published: November 2024

This study examines the influence of AI-powered and emerging technologies on pedagogical practices in higher education, focusing on their role on behavioural intention (BI) and actual usage among educators and students. The research hypothesises that the relationship between each Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) constructs - Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI), and Facilitating Conditions (FC) - and BI to use AI is mediated by Attitude towards AI. Additionally, it explores the mediation of the relationship between Technological, Organisational, and Environmental (TOE) framework and BI to use AI by Attitude towards AI. Furthermore, it hypothesises that the relationship between UTAUT constructs, and the actual Usage of AI is mediated by BI. Data were collected from 115 respondents through a survey measuring perceptions of UTAUT and technology-organisation-Environment (TOE) constructs. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyse the data, alongside PLS-Multi-Group Analysis (PLS-MGA) to explore gender differences. The key results indicated that PE and EE significantly influenced Attitude towards AI (F = 14.861 and F = 33.887, respectively), which in turn significantly influenced BI (β = 0.468, t = 5.106). However, SI had an insignificant effect (F = 0.346), and FC had a minimal influence (F = 2.225). The study found that Organisational Context played a significant role in shaping Attitude towards AI, influencing BI, whereas the direct influence of TOE on BI was not significant (F = 1.356), indicating full mediation by Attitude. Additionally, higher BI did not necessarily translate to increased AI usage (β = -0.381, t = 4.749), suggesting external barriers or moderating factors. These findings provide valuable insights for developing strategies to enhance AI-driven pedagogical innovations, emphasising the importance of fostering positive attitudes and addressing practical challenges in AI adoption.
Fusarium species associated with naturally regenerated Fagus sylvatica seedlings affected by Phytophthora
Authors: Jankowiak Robert , Stępniewska Hanna , Bilański Piotr , Hausner Georg
Published: November 2024

Fusarium diseases in forests, especially in naturally regenerated seedlings, are poorly recognized. Recently the rapid and severe decline of natural regeneration of European beech caused by Phytophthora spp. has been observed in Poland. The diseased beech seedlings were also co-infected by Fusarium species. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the role of Fusarium species that may play a role in the decline of beech seedlings in Poland. A total of 487 Fusarium isolates were obtained from 450 symptomatic and asymptomatic beech seedlings: 466 from symptomatic plants and 21 from asymptomatic plants. Based on comparisons for two genes and phylogenetic analysis, all Fusarium strains were separated into 14 phylogenetically distinct species belonging to four Fusarium species complexes (SC), namely the F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC), the F. nisikadoi species complex (FNSC), the F. sambucinum species complex (FSSC), and the F. tricinctum species complex (FTSC). Fusarium avenaceum and F. paeoniae were the most frequently isolated species from both above- and below-ground organs of seedlings affected by Phytophthora. In the pathogenicity trials, the most virulent species for beech seedlings were F. avenaceum and F. sporotrichioides. However, Fusarium isolates were significantly less aggressive compared to the P. × cambivora (positive control). Our results demonstrate that beech seedlings were frequently colonized by various Fusarium species. Fusarium species do not play an important role in the reduction of naturally regenerated European beech seedlings due to their low aggressiveness.
Energy recovery from landfill gas in Egypt
Authors: Elsebaay Yasmin , Ahmed Mostafa , Elagroudy Sherien , Nassour Abdallah
Published: November 2024

In developing countries, the transition from dumpsites to landfills is particularly important for addressing the challenges of waste management and promoting sustainable development. The goal of this study is to determine the quantity of gas emissions from landfills in Egypt using LandGEM, Afvalzorg, and Mexico models, as well as analyze the financial benefits and greenhouse gas reductions of producing electricity from municipal solid waste, considering seven different landfills across Egypt. A financial assessment was conducted using the entire lifecycle cost, levelized cost of energy, net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period. While the environmental assessment adopted a methodology to determine greenhouse gas production and reductions due to landfill gas valorization, in a span of 30 years, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be reduced by 81% following landfill gas utilization based on a 75% gas collection efficiency. Furthermore, the potential electricity generation reaches 358 gigawatt-hours, with plant capacities ranging between 3 and 40 megawatts. The positive net present values obtained demonstrate that landfill gas for electricity generation in Egypt is financially feasible for big landfills. This aims to provide first-hand technical knowledge to waste management stakeholders, including policymakers, planners, decision-makers, and investors, to guide waste management planning and promote financially feasible investment in landfill gas to energy in Egypt.

Graphical Abstract
Career counsellors’ perspectives on educational mobility in Denmark
Authors: Olsen Astrid , Thomsen Rie
Published: November 2024

This article explores career guidance counsellors’ (GC) perspectives on their role in relation to social mobility, presenting a thematic analysis based on 14 in-depth interviews with Danish upper secondary school GCs and managers. The analysis included Watts’ typology on the socio-political function of career guidance and generated three perspectives on social mobility: (a) an upward mobility perspective, (b) an alternative mobility perspective and (c) an equality perspective. The implications for career counselling in upper secondary schools in Denmark are considered and possible avenues for further research on social mobility and social justice in career guidance are identified.
On variants of a load-balancing problem with unit-load jobs
Authors: Györgyi Péter , Kis Tamás , Szögi Evelin
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we reconsider an offline load-balancing problem with unit-time jobs that require one unit from a common resource throughout their execution. In the unit-time case, the jobs have to be assigned to time-slots such that a separable convex function of the load of the resource has to be minimized. Variants of this problem have been studied extensively in the literature under different names. We briefly discuss these problems and give a new implementation for one of them with a better worst-case time complexity than any of the known methods. We also consider the more general preemptive problem in which the execution of the jobs can be interrupted and resumed later. Furthermore, we divide the time horizon into disjoint time intervals, and for each interval, a separable convex cost function is given. The jobs have to be scheduled within their feasible intervals preemptively such that the total cost is minimized, where the cost is determined separately for each interval by the corresponding cost function. We show how to solve this problem in polynomial time by a single minimum-cost-flow computation. For the preemptive problem with one cost function only, we propose a proprietary algorithm for finding a feasible solution which is optimal for any convex cost function. We also present some qualitative computational results.
An objective isogeometric mixed finite element formulation for nonlinear elastodynamic beams with incompatible warping strains
Authors: Choi M.-J. , Klinkel S. , Klarmann S. , Sauer R. A.
Published: November 2024

We present a stable mixed isogeometric finite element formulation for geometrically and materially nonlinear beams in transient elastodynamics, where a Cosserat beam formulation with extensible directors is used. The extensible directors yield a linear configuration space incorporating constant in-plane cross-sectional strains. Higher-order (incompatible) strains are introduced to correct stiffness, whose additional degrees of freedom are eliminated by an element-wise condensation. Further, the present discretization of the initial director field leads to the objectivity of approximated strain measures, regardless of the degree of basis functions. For physical stress resultants and strains, we employ a global patch-wise approximation using B-spline basis functions, whose higher-order continuity enables using much fewer degrees of freedom than an element-wise approximation. For time-stepping, we employ implicit energy–momentum consistent scheme, which exhibits superior numerical stability in comparison to standard trapezoidal and mid-point rules. Several numerical examples are presented to verify the present method.
Transcriptomic responses of Solanum tuberosum cv. Pirol to arbuscular mycorrhiza and potato virus Y (PVY) infection
Authors: Deja-Sikora Edyta , Gołębiewski Marcin , Hrynkiewicz Katarzyna
Published: November 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) serve as both plant symbionts and allies in resisting pathogens and environmental stresses. Mycorrhizal colonization of plant roots can influence the outcomes of plant-pathogen interactions by enhancing specific host defense mechanisms. The transcriptional responses induced by AMF in virus-infected plants remain largely unexplored. In the presented study, we employed a comprehensive transcriptomic approach and qPCR to investigate the molecular determinants underlying the interaction between AMF and potato virus Y (PVY) in Solanum tuberosum L. Our primary goal was to identify the symbiosis- and defense-related determinants activated in mycorrhizal potatoes facing PVY. Through a comparative analysis of mRNA transcriptomes in experimental treatments comprising healthy and PVY-infected potatoes colonized by two AMF species, Rhizophagus regularis or Funneliformis mosseae, we unveiled the overexpression of genes associated with mycorrhiza, including nutrient exchange, lipid transfer, and cell wall remodeling. Furthermore, we identified several differentially expressed genes upregulated in all mycorrhizal treatments that encoded pathogenesis-related proteins involved in plant immune responses, thus verifying the bioprotective role of AMF. We investigated the relationship between mycorrhiza levels and PVY levels in potato leaves and roots. We found accumulation of the virus in the leaves of mycorrhizal plants, but our studies additionally showed a reduced PVY content in potato roots colonized by AMF, which has not been previously demonstrated. Furthermore, we observed that a virus-dependent reduction in nutrient exchange could occur in mycorrhizal roots in the presence of PVY. These findings provide an insights into the interplay between virus and AMF.
Ontogenetic and evolutionary trends on cephalopod digestive systems
Authors: Vilarnau Diego G. , Fernández-Álvarez Fernando Á. , Coll-Lladó Montserrat , Gritti Nicola , Swoger Jim , Villanueva Roger
Published: November 2024

Meropelagic octopuses hatch as planktonic paralarvae, being the subject of progressive morphological and behavioural changes ending with settlement on the seafloor as juveniles. The comparative morphological study of digestive systems can help to understand the adaptation to particular niches during this challenging plankton-benthos transition. Here, the morphometric development of the digestive system of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) is described through 3D microscopy techniques over the first two months of life. This morphological development is compared with those of adults and the holobenthic cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, as well as with the holopelagic squids Loligo vulgaris and Illex coindetii. Based on present and published results, we suggest four stages for the early development of O. vulgaris: (1) post embryonic, (2) early paralarval, (3) advanced paralarval and (4) early juvenile. The digestive system development was variable over time, with faster growth during the first days of planktonic life and after settlement. All the paralarvae-bearing species showed very proportionally enlarged posterior salivary glands at hatching compared both to more developed conspecifics and to the cuttlefish hatchling. This could reflect a potential common feeding mechanism through external digestion and probably a compensatory mechanism for an early digestive gland underperformance. The proportionally smallest digestive system has been found in L. vulgaris, mainly because of their remarkably smaller digestive glands. All species showed major changes in digestive organs between hatchlings and developed phases, indicating how different ecological contexts over ontogeny are reflected in their digestive structures.

Graphical abstract
Exploring Participatory Grantmaking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Current Landscape, Practices, and Power Dynamics
Authors: Mogotsi Keratiloe Sishoma , Hauger Tyler Dale
Published: November 2024

“Participatory grantmaking” (PGM)—the practice of ceding decision-making power about grants to communities that are affected by the outcomes of the grants—is gaining traction in many philanthropic spaces. While there is emerging literature on PGM primarily in the Global North, few academic contributions explore how PGM plays out in the Global South. This article therefore advances the state of knowledge related to philanthropy and grantmaking, by analytically exploring PGM specifically in the African continent. Through in-depth qualitative interviews with 19 grantmakers within sub-Saharan Africa, the article identifies common forms of PGM in the region, its impact on various forms of power—particularly visible power—and the barriers encountered, including shrinking civil society space, resource scarcity, and back-donor demands. The article argues that PGM in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be seen as isolated in a silo of philanthropy, but that its contributions to addressing power imbalances must be integrated in broader long-term development sectors that are often dominated by the Global North. It also underscores that power, in its various forms, will always be present in PGM. Practitioners must continuously adapt and refine these models to address the uneven power dynamics in grantmaking that they aim to change.
Competences that affect the gastronomic entrepreneur for a proper business management
Authors: Yábar Diana C. Pérez-Bustamante , García-Machado Juan José
Published: November 2024

The aim of this paper is to analyse the latest research using a systematic review of the literature and a bibliographic mapping in order to identify the competencies that a gastronomic entrepreneur should possess in order to be effective and achieve success in their business. To this end, a review of the literature is carried out through the most relevant topics, main authors and journals, and to visualise their interrelations. The results show that gastronomic management requires the acquisition of knowledge, competences and skills from a multidisciplinary perspective, specifically differentiating between the needed training competences to be a good gastronomic manager, and those that are acquired and developed during the work in the industry premises. A bibliometric mapping of the publications indexed in WoS and Scopus was conducted using VOSviewer software. During the search process, 178 references for a search period from 2014 to 2023 were obtained. Based on co-occurrence frequencies of key terms, our term map provides a visual representation of the latest research in the Gastronomic Entrepreneur's Competencies (GEC). This study contributes to the literature on gastronomy entrepreneurship research and its findings may be useful for gastronomic entrepreneurs, researchers, food business leaders and decision-makers in this sector.
Privacy-preserving explainable AI: a survey
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Tam , Huynh Thanh Trung , Ren Zhao , Nguyen Thanh Toan , Nguyen Phi Le , Yin Hongzhi , Nguyen Quoc Viet Hung
Published: November 2024

As the adoption of explainable AI (XAI) continues to expand, the urgency to address its privacy implications intensifies. Despite a growing corpus of research in AI privacy and explainability, there is little attention on privacy-preserving model explanations. This article presents the first thorough survey about privacy attacks on model explanations and their countermeasures. Our contribution to this field comprises a thorough analysis of research papers with a connected taxonomy that facilitates the categorization of privacy attacks and countermeasures based on the targeted explanations. This work also includes an initial investigation into the causes of privacy leaks. Finally, we discuss unresolved issues and prospective research directions uncovered in our analysis. This survey aims to be a valuable resource for the research community and offers clear insights for those new to this domain. To support ongoing research, we have established an online resource repository, which will be continuously updated with new and relevant findings.
Building ethical awareness to strengthen co-production for transformation
Authors: Partelow Stefan , Luederitz Christopher , Huang Ying-Syuan , von Wehrden Henrik , Woopen Christiane
Published: November 2024

Awareness of different ethical theories can support transformation-oriented researchers in navigating value-based decisions in co-production. We synthesize and explicitly link the literature on co-production and ethical theories in philosophy to initiate this awareness. Four key decision points in co-production projects are outlined that require value-based actions: (1) what to focus on, (2) who to include, (3) how to co-create and (4) how to continue. To discuss how project actions can be examined from different ethical perspectives, we synthesize the claims of four ethical theories and discuss them in the context of co-production project choices. The four ethical theories are: deontological ethics, utilitarianism, contractualism and virtue ethics. Overall, we argue for embracing pluralistic ethical perspectives when navigating decisions in co-production projects.
Antimony Vaporization and Condensation in Simulated Flash Smelting Off-Gas Train Conditions
Authors: Tuominen Jukka , Sukhomlinov Dmitry , Taskinen Pekka , Lindberg Daniel
Published: November 2024

Antimony is one of the most deleterious impurity elements in copper smelting and has a strong tendency to vaporize in the smelting furnace resulting in an enrichment of antimony in smelter flue dusts. The vaporization and condensation behavior of antimony species was studied in dust-free conditions simulating the off-gas train of a Flash Smelting Furnace at temperatures below 1273 K (1000 °C). The influences of the oxygen partial pressure and the condensate formation temperature on the characteristics of the precipitated antimony species were determined. It was found that practically all the vaporized antimony species precipitated between 853 K and 546 K (580 °C and 273 °C) and that a higher oxygen partial pressure favored precipitation at higher temperatures. The formation of antimony sulfate, which thermodynamically is the most stable antimony species in the studied conditions at temperatures below approximately 723 K (450 °C), was found to be kinetically constrained and the vaporized antimony species precipitated as oxides or sulfides depending on the oxygen partial pressure and the precipitate formation temperature.
A new species of the genus Calcodes Westwood, 1834 (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) from Southern Thailand
Authors: Pathomwattananurak Wuttipon , Geshev Georgi A.
Published: November 2024

Calcodes lobocanthussp. n. is described from Yala Province, southern Thailand. Habitus and genitalia of male and female are illustrated. Distribution of Calcodes aeratus (Hope, 1833) in Thailand is also confirmed.
Integrated Profiling Identifies Long-Term Molecular Consequences of Prenatal Dexamethasone Treatment in the Rat Brain—Potential Triggers of Depressive Phenotype and Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Kukla-Bartoszek Magdalena , Piechota Marcin , Suski Maciej , Hajto Jacek , Borczyk Małgorzata , Basta-Kaim Agnieszka , Głombik Katarzyna
Published: November 2024

Prenatal excess of glucocorticoids (GCs) is considered to be one of the highly impacting factors contributing to depression development. Although GCs are crucial for normal fetal development and their administration (mainly dexamethasone, DEX) is a life-saving procedure for those at risk of preterm delivery, exposure to excess levels of GCs during pregnancy can yield detrimental consequences. Therefore, we aimed to systematically investigate the brain molecular alterations triggered by prenatal DEX administration. We used a rat model of depression based on prenatal exposure to DEX and performed integrative multi-level methylomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses of adult rats’ brains (i.e., frontal cortex (FCx) and hippocampus (Hp)) to identify the outcomes of DEX action. Each of the investigated levels was significantly affected by DEX in the long-term manner. Particularly, we found 200 CpG islands to be differentially methylated in the FCx and 200 in the Hp of prenatally DEX-treated rats. Global transcriptomic analysis uncovered differential expression of transcripts mostly in FCx (271) and 1 in Hp, while proteomic study identified 146 differentially expressed proteins in FCx and 123 in Hp. Among the identified enriched molecular networks, we found altered pathways involved in synaptic plasticity (i.e., cAMP, calcium, and Wnt signaling pathways or tight junctions and adhesion molecules), which may contribute to cognitive impairment, observed in DEX-treated animals. Moreover, in the FCx, DEX administration in the prenatal period downregulates the expression of ribosome protein genes associated both with large and small ribosomal subunit assembly which can lead to a global decrease in translation and protein synthesis processes and, indirectly, alterations in the neurotransmission process.
The effect of different additives on bacteria adsorption, compressive strength and ammonia removal for MICP
Authors: Hanisch Patrick , Pechtl Markus , Maurer Holger , Maier Franziska , Bischoff Sarah , Nagy Brigitte , Eulenkamp Constanze , Kustermann Andrea , Huber Robert
Published: November 2024

Microbial induced calcite precipitation is a commonly used technique for the application of biocementation. The metabolism of urea by ureolytic active bacteria leads, among other metabolic products such as ammonium, to carbonate ions. In the presence of calcium ions, calcium carbonate formation occurs. It was investigated whether the addition of different additives (Ca-bentonite, Na-bentonite, clinoptilolite, natrolite, limestone, marl clay, concresol, secursol, and activated carbon powder) can optimize this process. First, the influence of these additives on the adsorption rates and distribution of the ureolytic active organism Sporosarcina pasteurii in quartz sand columns was tested. Moreover, an investigation was conducted on the impact of various additives on ammonium immobilization to mitigate its leaching from soils subjected to the biocementation process. For eight additives uniaxial compressive strength tests in quartz sand columns and a storage method according to DIN EN 12390–2 were carried out. Each additive showed a characteristic adsorption and localisation progression. Furthermore, each additive was able to enhance the immobilization behavior of the present ammonium, with a maximum immobilization capacity of 10.76 $$\frac{mg (NH^+_4)}{g (additive)}$$

m
g
(
N

H
4
+

)

g
(
a
d
d
i
t
i
v
e
)

. The uniaxial compressive strength of biocemented columns out of quartz sand could sectionally be increased by the addition of each additive. However, the storage methodology shows a much greater influence on column strength. Overall, the best results were achieved with the two additives, Ca-bentonite and clinoptilolite, resulting in strength increases in sand columns of up to 4.64 and 3.22 $$\frac{N}{mm^2}$$

N

m

m
2

, respectively.
Circ_0001741 exerts as a tumor promoter in ovarian cancer through the regulation of miR-491-5p/PRSS8 axis
Authors: Wang Ding , Zhang Sumin , Wang Qiaoling , Li Pengrong , Liu Yunxia
Published: November 2024

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important regulators for ovarian cancer (OC). Circ_0001741 has been found to be highly expressed in OC samples and is involved in regulating paclitaxel resistance in OC cells. Therefore, circ_0001741 may play a vital role in OC process, and its potential molecular mechanism is worth further revealing.

Methods

Circ_0001741, miR-491-5p, and PRSS8 levels in OC tumor tissues and cells were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR or western blot. The proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis of OC cells were detected by cell counting kit 8 assay, Edu assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay. RNA interaction was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. Xenograft assay was used to detect the effect of circ_0001741 knockdown on OC tumor growth in vivo.

Results

Circ_0001741 was upregulated in OC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of circ_0001741 repressed OC cell proliferation, metastasis, and enhanced apoptosis. Mechanistically, miR-491-5p was targeted by circ_0001741, and miR-491-5p inhibitor could attenuate the effect of circ_0001741 silencing on OC cell progression. Meanwhile, PRSS8 was a target of miR-491-5p, and miR-491-5p overexpression inhibited OC cell progression by targeting PRSS8. Circ_0001741 regulated PRSS8 expression by sponging miR-491-5p. Besides, circ_0001741 knockdown also inhibited OC tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

Our data showed that circ_0001741 could promote the growth and metastasis of OC cells through the miR-491-5p/PRSS8 axis, which provided a potential molecular target for the treatment of OC.
Kidney mRNA-protein expression correlation: what can we learn from the Human Protein Atlas?
Authors: Acoba Dianne , Reznichenko Anna
Published: November 2024

Background

The Human Protein Atlas, with more than 10 million immunohistochemical images showing tissue- and cell-specific protein expression levels and subcellular localization information, is widely used in kidney research. The Human Protein Atlas contains comprehensive data on multi-tissue transcript and protein abundance, allowing for comparisons across tissues. However, while visual and intuitive to interpret, immunohistochemistry is limited by its semi-quantitative nature. This can lead to mismatches in protein expression measurements across different platforms.

Methods

We performed a comparison of the Human Protein Atlas’ kidney-specific RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry data to determine whether the mRNA and protein abundance levels are concordant.

Results

Our study shows that there is a discordance between mRNA and protein expression in the kidney based on the Human Protein Atlas data. Using an external validation mass spectrometry dataset, we show that more than 500 proteins undetected by immunohistochemistry are robustly measured by mass spectrometry. The Human Protein Atlas transcriptome data, on the other hand, exhibit similar transcript detection levels as other kidney RNA-seq datasets.

Conclusions

Discordance in mRNA-protein expression could be due to both biological and technical reasons, such as transcriptional dynamics, translation rates, protein half-lives, and measurement errors. This is further complicated by the heterogeneity of the kidney tissue itself, which can increase the discordance if the cell populations or tissue compartment samples do not match. As such, shedding light on the mRNA-protein relationship of the kidney-specific Human Protein Atlas data can provide context to our scientific inferences on renal gene and protein quantification.

Graphical abstract
Recent advances and future perspectives of metal-organic frameworks as efficient electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction
Authors: Li Chao , Yan Hong , Yang Hanlu , Zhou Wenqian , Xie Chengyu , Pan Baocai , Zhang Qichun
Published: November 2024

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the reduced chemical compounds offers substantial environmental benefits through minimizing the emission of greenhouse gas and fostering sustainable practices. Recently, the unique properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) make them attractive candidates for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), providing many opportunities to develop efficient, selective, and environmentally sustainable processes for mitigating CO2 emissions and utilizing CO2 as a valuable raw material for the synthesis of fuels and chemicals. Here, the recent advances in MOFs as efficient catalysts for electrocatalytic CO2RR are summarized. The detailed characteristics, electrocatalytic mechanisms, and practical approaches for improving the electrocatalytic efficiency, selectivity, and durability of MOFs under realistic reaction conditions are also clarified. Furthermore, the outlooks on the prospects of MOF-based electrocatalysts in CO2RR are provided.
Application of natural fibre pultruded profiles in diverse lightweight structures and architectural scenarios
Authors: Spyridonos Evgenia , Dahy Hanaa
Published: November 2024

Reevaluating the materials that shape our built environment holds significant importance for sustainable construction. This research introduces newly developed natural fibre pultruded profiles, composed of flax fibres and bio-resin, customised for specific properties and targeted applications. Engineered to withstand both bending and compression loads, these profiles have been subjected to rigorous mechanical testing to demonstrate their compression and flexural strength, as well as flexibility. The emphasis lies on the bottom-up design approach, guiding the creation of applications suitable for this innovative material in various lightweight structures. The paper presents a series of case studies showcasing the use of biocomposite profiles in diverse design and structural contexts. The initial focus was on active-bending structures, highlighting the material’s flexibility, showcased at a ten-metre span structure, the first large-scale demonstrator. However, given the material’s versatile properties, it is suitable for a wide range of other applications. Key case studies discussed include reciprocal, tensegrity and deployable structures, as well as modular planar or space frame systems. These profiles offer a sustainable and versatile alternative to traditional materials and composites, providing innovative and eco-friendly construction solutions while contributing to industry sustainability goals.
Computational and Human Intelligence Methods for Constructing Practical Risk Prediction Models: An Application to Cardio-Renal Outcomes in Non-Diabetic CKD Patients
Authors: Bauer Chris , Schuchhardt Johannes , Vaitsiakhovich Tatsiana , Kleinjung Frank
Published: November 2024

The current investigation aimed to develop a novel approach for risk prediction modeling of clinical outcomes in common diseases based on computational and human intelligence techniques with no a priori input on risk factors using real-world individual patient-level data from administrative claims. Bootstrapping multivariable Cox regression and ant colony optimization were employed to develop time-to-first-event risk prediction models of cardio-renal outcomes in patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a demonstration case. A cohort of 504,924 non-diabetic CKD stage 3 or 4 patients enrolled from 2008 to 2018 were identified in the US administrative de-identified claims database, Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart. Initial set of potential risk factors was derived from patient-level data at baseline and included more than 540,000 variables. Risk prediction models of hospitalization for heart failure, worsening of CKD stage from baseline and a renal composite outcome of end-stage kidney disease, kidney failure or need for dialysis in non-diabetic CKD stage 3 or 4 were built. Final model optimization was conducted using human intelligence to combine clinically similar features and build equivalence classes to ensure that risk factors included in the final model were routinely collected and easily interpretable by healthcare providers. Demonstrated validity of our approach in non-diabetic CKD offers opportunities for application in other therapeutic areas, with the potential to improve overall prognosis and decrease the clinical and economic burden of common diseases. The approach enables developing practical prediction models for risk estimation in routine clinical practice.
Sustainable mitigation method for earthquake-induced liquefaction using gravel-tire chips mixture: an integrated approach
Authors: Hu Yutao , Hazarika Hemanta , Madabhushi Gopal Santana Phani , Haigh Stuart Kenneth
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the potential of using Gravel-Tire Chips Mixture (GTCM) drains to mitigate soil liquefaction during earthquakes through an integrated experimental and numerical approach. The experiments involved a controlled setup with three distinct scenarios, evaluating the effectiveness of GTCM drain configurations in controlling excess pore water pressure in foundation soils, thereby reducing liquefaction and building settlement under seismic loading. Numerical simulations were performed to complement the physical tests and provide deeper insights into soil-drain interactions during dynamic events. The experimental results showed that GTCM drains significantly reduced settlement, with a reduction of up to 40 times in cases where GTCM drains were used compared to unmitigated conditions. Additionally, the presence of GTCM drains was effective in dissipating excess pore water pressure, which is a primary cause of liquefaction. Numerical simulations confirmed the experimental findings, indicating minimal pore water pressure buildup and reduced deformation in soils reinforced with GTCM drains. This research demonstrates that GTCM drains provide a sustainable and effective method to mitigate liquefaction and reduce earthquake-induced structural damage. The findings emphasize the importance of strategic drain placement and highlight the environmental benefits of repurposing waste materials such as tires for geotechnical applications, offering a cost-effective solution for enhancing infrastructure resilience in earthquake-prone regions.
Modeling and analysis of nonlinear dynamics of axisymmetric vector nozzle based on deep neural network
Authors: Wang X. , Hu H. , Chen Z. , Wang H. , Ye L. , Ye G.
Published: November 2024

The axisymmetric nozzle mechanism is the core part for thrust vectoring of aero engine, which contains complex rigid-flexible coupled multibody system with joints clearance and significantly reduces the efficiency in modeling and calculation, therefore the kinematics and dynamics analysis of axisymmetric vectoring nozzle mechanism based on deep neural network is proposed. The deep neural network model of the axisymmetric vector nozzle is established according to the limited training data from the physical dynamic model and then used to predict the kinematics and dynamics response of the axisymmetric vector nozzle. This study analyses the effects of joint clearance on the kinematics and dynamics of the axisymmetric vector nozzle mechanism by a data-driven model. It is found that the angular acceleration of the expanding blade and the driving force are mostly affected by joint clearance followed by the angle, angular velocity and position of the expanding blade. Larger joint clearance results in more pronounced fluctuations of the dynamic response of the mechanism, which is due to the greater relative velocity and contact force between the bushing and the pin. Since axisymmetric vector nozzles are highly complex nonlinear systems, traditional numerical methods of dynamics are extremely time-consuming. Our work indicates that the data-driven approach greatly reduces the computational cost while maintaining accuracy, and can be used for rapid evaluation and iterative computation of complex multibody dynamics of engine nozzle mechanism.