bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spintronic Memtransistor Leaky Integrate and Fire Neuron for Spiking Neural Networks
Authors: Lone Aijaz , Tang Meng , Rahimi Daniel Norouzzadeh , zou xuecui , Zheng Dong-xing , Fariborzi Hossein , Zhang Xixiang , Setti Gianluca
Published: March 2024

Spintronic devices, -based on the domain walls and skyrmions, Spintronic devices have shown significant potential for applications in energy-efficient data storage and beyond CMOS computing architectures. Based on the magnetic multilayer spintronic devices, we demonstrate the magnetic field-gated and current-controlled Leaky integrate and fire neuron characteristics for the spiking neural network applications. The LIF characteristics are controlled by the current pulses, which drive the domain wall motion, and an external magnetic field is used as the bias to tune the firing properties of the neuron. Thus, the device works like a gate-controlled LIF neuron, acting like a spintronic Mem-transistor device. The current and magnetic field-controlled neuron spiking rate is shown. We developed a LIF neuron model based on the measured characteristics to show the device's integration in the system-level SNNs. We extend the study and propose a scaled version of the demonstrated device with a multilayer spintronic domain wall magnetic tunnel junction as a LIF neuron. using the combination of SOT and the variation of the demagnetization energy across the thin film, the modified leaky integrate and fire LIF neuron characteristics are realized in the proposed devices. Finally, we integrate the measured and simulated neuron models in the 3-layer spiking neural network (SNN) and convolutional spiking neural network CSNN framework to test these spiking neuron models for classification of the MNIST and FMNIST datasets. In both architectures, the network achieves classification accuracy above 96%. Considering the good system-level performance, mem-transistor properties, and promise for scalability. The presented devices show an excellent alternative for neuromorphic computing applications.
Safe and Reconfigurable Manufacturing: Safety Aware Multi-Agent Control for Plug & Produce System.
Authors: Massouh Bassam , Danielsson Fredrik , Lennartson Bengt , Ramasamy Sudha , Khabbazi Mahmood
Published: March 2024

Plug & Produce is a concept that is envisioned to revolutionise manufacturing by enabling the seamless integration of machines into production processes without extensive programming, offering increased flexibility, and faster production ramp-up times after reconfiguration. This concept implies a smart and advanced system control architecture typically achieved with Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). In the context of moving towards more human participation in smart manufacturing, the realization of the Plug & Produce concept depends on enabling the safe operation of the manufacturing system which is the focus of this paper. The main challenge to safe operation comes from autonomous decision-making, as agents in the multi-agent system are typically not aware of the risk consequence of their behaviour. Another challenge is the difficulty of perceiving the exact behaviour of the system which leads to the implementation of overly restrictive safety measures. This in turn limits the system’s flexibility and ability to make decisions for efficient production. This paper proposes a method utilizing multi-agent control of Plug & Produce to conduct automatic safety analysis and reason the task allocations to avoid risks. The benefit of this method is it enables generating control actions in compliance with safety requirements during operation. Also, the method eliminates the need for overly restrictive safety measures, this flexibility allows for more effective utilization of equipment while maintaining safety requirements. Illustrated through a manufacturing scenario with two different reconfigurations, safety requirements are proven satisfied by the formal verification of the proposed method using the model checker NuSMV. The formal verification results confirm the benefits of the proposed method.
Construction of a Prognostic Model for Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Nucleotide Metabolism-Related Genes and Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Cui Xiangyu , Han Wenjie , Liu hongyu , Li Yongwen , Zhang Ruihao , Zhu Guangsheng , Huang Hua , Chen Jun
Published: March 2024

Background: Metabolic reprogramming is an important hallmark of cancer. However, it is still uncertain how nucleotide metabolism-related genes (NMRGs) may affect the prognosis of Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).
Methods: In our study, the LUAD cohorts from the bioinformatics databases were downloaded. Characteristic genes related to prognosis of LUAD patients were obtained through combining differentially expressed analysis, univariate COX analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate COX, and the risk model was constructed. Then, the immune infiltration, immunotherapy, and mutations analyses between high and low risk groups were conducted. Finally, drug sensitivity analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was executed to validate the expression of the biomarkers.
Results: Based on 4 characteristic genes (RRM2, TXNRD1, NME4, and NT5E), the risk model was established, and the patients were assigned to high/low risk groups. The survival analysis demonstrated that patients in low risk groups had higher survival. The infiltrating abundance of 11 immune cells, the expression of 25 immune checkpoints, TIDE score, Dysfunction score, Exclusion score, IPS, and IPS-CTLA4 were significantly different between two risk groups. Additionally, the survival of patients in low-risk and high-TMB group was the highest. Finally, the IC50 of 124 drugs was considerably different between two risk groups, such as Doramapimod_1042, BMS-754807_2171, MK-2206_1053, etc. Finally, RT-qPCR results showed that RRM2 and NT5E expression was obviously up-regulated and TXNRD1 expression was obviously down-regulated in LUAD.
Conclusion: Taken together, this study created a nucleotide metabolism related prognostic characteristic, which was relevant to immune microenvironment and immunotherapy.
Genome transposon analysis of blackleg causal pathogen
Authors: Tian Min , Hao Lingyu , Li Ru , Zhang Lugang
Published: March 2024

Background
To understand genome transposon presence of blackleg pathogen and the relationship between its pathogenicity and transposons, we performed transposon analysis of blackleg pathogen through bioinformatics.
Results
For three pathogen strains, their genome transposon proportion was distantly beyond 4%, the pathogen strain Lmb V23.1.3 indicated the most genome transposons, followed by Lbb B3.5 and Lbb CA1, the LTR retrotransposons proportion was obviously more than other types of transposons and the Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposon proportion was greater than Ty1/Copia retrotransposons. there were no Ty1/Copia retrotransposons in Lbb CA1. Most Ty1/Copia and Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposons presented distinct evolutionary distance among different pathogen strains. Besides, the higher LTR retrotransposon density, the lower gene density, the Solo-LTR retrotransposons were much greater than intact LTR retrotransposons. Both Solo-LTR and intact LTR retrotransposon counts were the highest in Lmb V23.1.3, followed by Lbb B3.5 and Lbb CA1 respectively. Many intact LTR retrotransposons in Lmb V23.1.3 were more ancient than those in Lbb B3.5 and Lbb CA1. However, lots of homologous LTR retrotransposons in Lmb V23.1.3 were younger than those in Lbb B3.5 and Lbb CA1. No common intact LTR retrotransposons were identified between L. maculans species and L. biglobosa species, and significantly few even between two strains of the same pathogen species. Large number of special intact LTR retrotransposons in L. biglobosa were relatively younger than those in L. maculans. In addition, the LINE elements only occurred in Lmb V23.1.3, which was possibly responsible for its stronger pathogenicity.
Conclusions
Some pathogen strains of L. biglobosa species also contained genome transposon of distantly beyond 4%. For both L. biglobosa and L. biglobosa species, the LTR retrotransposon proportion was obviously more than other types of transposons. There was distinct evolutionary distance of LTR retrotransposons and no common intact LTR retrotransposons between two pathogen species. The Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposon proportion was greater than Ty1/Copia retrotransposons. Large number of special intact LTR retrotransposons in L. biglobosa were relatively younger than those in L. maculans. The LINE elements only occurred in Lmb V23.1.3 of L. maculans species, which was possibly responsible for its stronger pathogenicity.
Altered Functional Connectivity of Resting-State Networks and the Correlation with Clinical Characteristics in Intermittent Exotropia: A Resting-state Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Li Huixin , Li Wei , Hong Jie , Liu Jiawen , Hao Jie , Dai Wei , Liu Zhaohui , Fu Jing
Published: March 2024

Background: The pathogenesis of intermittent exotropia (IXT) remains unclear. The study aims to investigate alterations of resting-state networks (RSNs) in IXT patients using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data to explore the potential neural mechanisms.
Methods:26 IXT patients and 22 age-, sex-, handedness-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent fMRI scanning and ophthalmological examinations. Brain areas with significant functional connectivity (FC) differences between the IXT and HC groups were selected as regions of interest (ROI) and mean z-scores were calculated to control for individual differences.
Results:Compared with HCs, IXT patients exhibited altered FC in various brain regions within RSNs involved in binocular fusion, stereopsis, ocular movement, emotional processes and social cognition, including the default mode network (DMN), the dorsal attention network (DAN), the visual network (VN), the sensorimotor network (SMN), the executive control network (ECN), the frontoparietal network (FPN) and the auditory network (AN). The degree of exodeviation was positively correlated with FC value of left middle occipital gyrus (MOG) within the VN. Correspondingly, we found a negative correlation between the degree of exodeviation and the FC value of left angular gyrus (AG) within FPN(P<0.05). The FNC analysis between different RSNs also provides evidence on visual-motor cortical plasticity.
Conclusions: IXT patients showed widespread changes of brain activity within RSNs related to binocular fusion, stereopsis, oculomotor control, emotional processes, and social cognition. These findings extend our current understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms of IXT.
Trial registration:
Beginning date of the trial: 2021-09-01
Date of registration:2021-07-18
Trial registration number: ChiCTR 2100048852
Tegistration site: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx
Precision mapping of snail habitat in lake and marshland areas: integrating environmental and textural indicators using Random Forest modeling
Authors: Zhang Xuedong , Lv Zelan , Dai Jianjun , Ke Yongwen , Hu Yi
Published: March 2024

Background
Schistosomiasis japonica poses a significant health issue in China, largely due to the spatial distribution of Oncomelania hupensis, the only intermediate host of Schistosoma, which directly affects schistosomiasis incidence. This study therefore aimed to address the limitations in existing remote sensing studies, particularly the oversight of spatial scale and seasonal variations in snail habitats by introducing a multi-source data-driven Random Forest approach.
Methods
This method effectively integrates bottomland and ground-surface texture data with traditional environmental variables for a more comprehensive and accurate snail habitat analysis. Four distinct models focusing on lakes and marshlands in Guichi, China, were developed: the baseline model, including ground-surface texture, bottomland variables, and environmental variables; Model 1, including only environmental variables; Model 2, including ground-surface texture and environmental variables; and Model 3, including bottomland and environmental variables.
Results
The baseline model outperformed the others, achieving a true skill statistic of 0.93, accuracy of 0.97, kappa statistic of 0.94, and area under the curve of 0.98. The findings identified key high-risk snail habitats, particularly along major rivers and lakes in a belt-like distribution, particularly near the Yangtze River, Qiu Pu River, and surrounding areas of Shengjin Lake, Jiuhua River, and Qingtong River.
Conclusions
This study providing vital data for effective snail monitoring, control strategies, and schistosomiasis prevention. This approach may also be applicable in locating other epidemic hosts with similar survival and ecological characteristics.
Mitigation of Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens during Hot Summer Seasons through Betaine Hydrochloride Osmoprotectant Intervention
Authors: Rokade Jaydip , MONIKA M. , Gopi M. , Vispute M. , Sonale Nagesh , PRASAD WADAJKAR
Published: March 2024

Modern poultry genotypes produce more body heat due to their greater metabolic activity and in tropical country; high environment temperature often worsens the situation. Heat stress is a major concern for the poultry industry as it adversely affects growth as well as immune functions. Nutritional interventions play an important role in ameliorating the negative effects of heat stress and will be more economical approach. In order to evaluate the role of osmolyte (betaine) as a heat ameliorating agent in broiler chicken, an experiment was conducted with gradient levels of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg for a growing period of 42 days. Each group comprised 48 birds in six replicates of 8 each. All birds were maintained under standard managemental conditions. Thermo-Humidity Index value ranged 85–87 throughout the experimental period. Production performance, immunity, gut morphometry, hemato-biochemical and stress indicators were studied. Supplementation of betaine significantly improved production performance as well as breast meat yield (P < 0.05). Supplementation (1 and 1.5g/kg) significantly (P < 0.01) improved both the humoral and cellular immunity. Betaine supplemented groups also depict significant (P < 0.01) rise in hemoglobin and relative immune organ weight. Addition of betaine to basal diet significantly (P < 0.01) increased the villus length and also lowered H:L ratio, with better ALT and AST values than the control. The dose level of at 1 and 1.5g/kg improve all the parameters but villi structure was more improved in 1g/kg dose level and also it is economical than 1.5g/kg dose level. To conclude present study confirms that, the supplementation of betaine at 1g/kg levels could significantly improve overall growth performance, gut morphology and welfare in heat stressed broiler chickens.
Validation of a Contour Diagram Based Model for Monopile Cyclic Design in Sand and Clay
Authors: LAPASTOURE Louis-Marin , IGOE David , Jalilvand Soroosh
Published: March 2024

Monopiles are the most popular type of foundation for offshore wind turbines. Although capturing the effects of cyclic loading is critical to the design of monopiles, there is no recommended approach in the main design standards and no consensus in the literature as to how this can be achieved. Hence, this paper presents the step-by-step methodology and validation of a new cyclic model in sand and clay. The model consists of the degradation of monotonic soil reaction curves based on soil cyclic contour diagrams. The model is found to provide a very satisfactory match with the PISA field tests in Dunkirk dense marine sand and Cowden stiff glacial till.
Etoposide, Cisplatin and Sintilimab Combined with Anlotinib in successful Treatment of Adrenocortical Carcinoma with Lung Metastasis: A Case Report
Authors: Zhang Haimei , Ma Xuezhen , Niu Wenjing , Liang Hua , Qiao Zhongshi , Wang Zheng , Niu Lifeng
Published: March 2024

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor that occurs in the adrenal cortex. It has a high degree of malignancy and comparatively poor overall prognosis. Surgery is the standard curative therapy for localized ACC patients. As well as, the combination regimen of etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin(EDP) plus mitotane has been considered as the standardized chemotherapy regimen for advanced ACC. However, new effective regimens are emerging for specific conditions in metastatic ACC.
Case presentation: We report a case of a 66-year-old man diagnosed with metastatic ACC who had a large left adrenal mass (110mm*87mm) and multiple metastases in both lungs. The patient was treated with EP and sintilimab for six cycles, anlotinib was introduced after the third cycle. Follow-ups after the second to fourth cycles found significantly reduced lung metastases with all imaging examinations indicating Partial Response (PR) status. The patient received maintenance therapy thereafter with sintilimab plus anlotinib. Until recently, the patient's lung metastases and the left adrenal gland area mass（41mm×28mm）have disappeared and no disease progression has been observed. The progression free survival of this patient has been extended to about 31 months, in sharp contrast to a median survival time of 12 months for majority of advanced ACC. The main adverse events during treatment were appetite loss, grade I myelosuppression, revealed only grade I hypertension and grade I hypothyroidism.
Conclusion: This case highlights the remarkable response of our patient's ACC to treatment with a novel combination of EP and sintilimab combined with anlotinib. Our findings suggest a safe and more effective combination therapeutic option for patients with patients with adrenocortical carcinoma.
One-pot Point-of-Care Nucleic-acid Detection via Padlock DNA Ligation and Rolling Circle Transcription
Authors: Yang Litao , Guo Yongkun , Zhu Zaobing , Zhang Hanwen , Li Rong , Lu Shengtao , Huang Yinhong
Published: March 2024

The demand for swift, reliable, and precise nucleic acid detection methods is pressing across numerous sectors, including clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental surveillance. We introduce a one-step Padlock DNA ligation-driven Rolling Circle Transcription-assisted CRISPR/LwCas13a detector named PROTRACTOR, tailored for the discernment and quantitative assessment of nucleic acids. The PROTRACTOR platform harnesses template-mediated padlock DNA ligation to transform target RNA/DNA into single-stranded circular DNA. Subsequent rolling circle transcription (RCT) spawns RNA transcripts replete with tandem repeats of the sequences of interest. These transcripts are then specifically targeted by CRISPR/LwCas13a, enabling their detection through fluorescent signals or lateral flow strips (LFS). Innovatively eschewing both reverse transcription and amplification, this approach allows for the direct measurement of RNA/DNA molecules. Demonstrated by the ultrahigh sensitivity (down to 10 copies/mL), rapidity (< 10 minutes), superb specificity (single nucleotide precision), simplicity, and affordability of use, PROTRACTOR's broad utility in nucleic acid assays has been validated with viral genomes, microRNAs, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Additionally, a novel point-of-care testing (POCT) device for SARS-CoV-2 integrates PROTRACTOR with expeditious RNA extraction and LFS readouts, producing outcomes within a mere 10 minutes, independent of advanced instrumentation. Furthermore, coupling with a chip-based digital PCR platform, PROTRACTOR facilitates absolute DNA quantification under isothermal conditions in a comparable timeframe. Cumulatively, our findings indicate PROTRACTOR's vast potential for both qualitative and quantitative nucleic acid analysis, whether in lab settings or POCT, across various domains such as biomedicine, agriculture, food verification, and environmental review, with particular benefits in resource-limited environments.
Lost in the haze: Persistent mega-fire smoke exposure jeopardizes tree carbohydrate reserves and yield
Authors: Orozco Jessica , Guzmán-Delgado Paula , Zwieniecki Maciej
Published: March 2024

The global incidence of megafires is on the rise, leading to extensive areas being shrouded in dense smoke for prolonged periods, spanning days or weeks. By integrating, long-term, regional observations of non-structural carbohydrate content in trees with spatiotemporal satellite data, we present compelling evidence of the pronounced impact of dense smoke plumes on carbohydrate stores in trees. Our findings show that the presence of smoke causes a significant decrease in total non-structural carbohydrates, with decreases in the accumulation of both soluble sugar and starch reserves. This decline in carbohydrate levels persists through the trees’ dormancy period into the next season’s bloom, culminating in a reduced yield. Our results highlight a previously unrecognized wildfire threat that could affect plant health and ecosystem stability in both agricultural and natural environments.
Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Adsorption of Co(II) and Cu(II) ions from Aqueous Solution by Mesoporous Silica MCM-41
Authors: Hatem Raghad Saad , Hussain Alaa Frak , Mihsen Hayder Hamied
Published: March 2024

Rice husk (RH) is regarded as one of the most common agricultural residues worldwide. MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) is prepared from RH. RH can itself be transformed to sodium silicate through a reaction with NaOH solution. This study includes three steps, the first of which involves extraction of silica from RH using a leaching process in the presence of HNO3; the second and third involve generation of RH-SiO2 and MCM-41 from the extracted silica. Characterization of the synthesized compounds can be successfully achieved that, via the use of various techniques including FT-IR, FESEM-EDX, TEM, N2-adsorption–desorption, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis represented by TGA/DTA. The XRD and TEM investigation demonstrated that MCM-41 with an extremely ordered hexagonal arrangement was generated. The findings of the N2-adsorption–desorption analysis revealed that the average pore diameter, total pore volume, and MCM-41 specific surface area were 6.80 nm, 126.12 cm3 g− 1 and 548.92 m2 g− 1, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) of silica materials represented by both RH-SiO2 and MCM-41 revealed two mass reduction steps, where the initial step involved elimination of water adsorbed in physical/chemical processes on the silica surface, and the second involving the breakdown of Si-OH groups in the silica structure and their transformation into Si-O-Si siloxane groups. The RH-SiO2 and MCM-41 were utilized for the adsorption of heavy pollutants like Cu (II) and Co (II) ions from aqueous solution.
Cope PPA - Adaptation of the Biographic-Narrative Approach for Persons with Primary Progressive Aphasia: Protocol for Clinical Trial Design
Authors: Gauch Mirjam , Corsten Sabine , Köb Anna-Lena , Tüscher Oliver , Heinrich Isabel , Geschke Katharina
Published: March 2024

Background: Persons with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) face numerous challenges due to their speech impairment. Approximately 40% of these patients develop depression during the course of the disease. Speech and language therapy is perceived as valuable by persons with PPA and has a positive impact on their quality of life. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of evidence on disorder-specific approaches aiming at this important therapeutic goal. The biographic-narrative approach (narraktiv) has been shown to significantly improve quality of life and mood in a sample of 27 persons with post-stroke aphasia. In the planned study, the biographic-narrative approach will be adapted for persons with PPA (Cope PPA) and its effectiveness will be investigated.
Methods: First, a focus group interview will be conducted to determine which adaptation of narraktiv persons with PPA require. For this purpose five patients with PPA from the outpatient memory clinic will be recruited. Semistructured interview guidelines will be used, and the analysis will be carried out using qualitative content analysis. Based on the results of the focus group interviews, the narraktiv manual according to Corsten et al. (2015) will be revised resulting in the Cope PPA manual. Subsequently, an efficacy study will be conducted according to the Cope PPA manual, aiming for a total of 24 participants. Each participant will attend five individual and seven group therapy sessions over a period of ten weeks. The individual therapy sessions will be based on the methodology of narrative and episodic interviews. The group therapy sessions will follow a fixed structure addressing topics such as hobbies, friends and family, health and illness. The primary outcome of the efficacy study will be quality of life (Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39), secondary outcomes will be depressive symptoms (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale) and satisfaction with life (Satisfaction With Life Scale). Semistructured interviews will be used to measure effects qualitatively. Furthermore, cognitive and communicative abilities (Mini-Mental-Status-Examination, Scenario Test) will be assessed during the efficacy study.
Discussion: This is the first study to investigate the effects of the biographic-narrative approach on the quality of life of persons with PPA. If the innovative approach proves successful, it will improve the treatment of persons with PPA.
Protocol version: 18 January 2024 (Version 2)
Trial registration: Prospectively registered 26/01/2024 - Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien (DRKS00031782); Studiendatenbank der Universitätsmedizin Mainz (FoR.UM Nummer 23-00696)
Assessment of Enhanced Load-Bearing Capacity of Expanded Steel Pipe Piles Considering Optimal Configuration
Authors: Park Sangwoo , Kim Uiseok , Park Hyeontae , Choi Hangseok
Published: March 2024

Recently, advanced types of micropiles have been developed to enhance their load-bearing capacity, responding to increased demands for micropile applications. However, these improved micropiles present challenges for rapid construction within confined spaces due to construction complexities. This study introduces an expanded steel pipe pile, which not only offers improved load-bearing capacity but also facilitates rapid construction in limited spaces. The expanded steel pipe pile is created by expanding a pre-installed small-diameter steel pipe at specific intervals to form shear keys along the length of the pile. In this study, the potential for enhancing the load-bearing capacity of the expanded steel pipe pile was initially verified through preliminary numerical analyses. Subsequently, comprehensive field experiments were carried out comparing two traditional micropiles with two expanded steel pipe piles, each installed using different methods. The results showed that the expanded steel pipe piles had up to 1.4 times the allowable bearing capacity of conventional micropiles. Finally, utilizing the numerical model validated by the field experiment results, the optimal configuration for the expanded steel pipe pile was provided. Considering both load-bearing efficiency and constructability, it was concluded that the expanded steel pipe pile should have a post-expansion diameter of 360 mm (with a deformation ratio of 13%) or less and incorporate at least three shear keys.
A pan-orthohantavirus preclinical human lung xenograft mouse model
Authors: Rissmann Melanie , Noack Danny , Spliethof Thomas , Vaes Vincent , Stam Rianne , Run Peter van , Clark Jordan , Verjans Georges , Haagmans Bart , Krammer Florian , Koopmans Marion , Brand Judith van den , Rockx Barry
Published: March 2024

Orthohantaviruses are emerging zoonotic viruses that can infect humans via the respiratory tract. There is a clear unmet need for an in vivo model to study orthohantavirus infection in physiologically relevant tissue and to determine the broad reactivity of novel orthohantavirus countermeasures. Here, we describe the use of a human lung xenograft mouse model to study the permissiveness for different orthohantavirus species and to assess its utility for preclinical testing of pan-orthohantavirus therapeutics. Following infection of xenografted human lung tissues, distinct orthohantavirus species differentially replicated in the human lung and subsequently spread systemically. The different orthohantaviruses primarily targeted the endothelium, respiratory epithelium and macrophages. Treatment of these mice with a virus neutralizing antibody could block orthohantavirus infection and dissemination. This model will facilitate progress in the fundamental understanding of pathogenesis and virus-host interactions for orthohantaviruses. Furthermore, it is an invaluable tool for preclinical evaluation of novel candidate pan-orthohantavirus intervention strategies.
Teacher Empathy and Inclusive Education: the Moderating Role of Emotional Self-efficacy and Gender.
Authors: Graziano Federica , Mastrokoukou Sofia , Monchietto Alessandro , Marchisio Cecilia , Calandri Emanuela
Published: March 2024

The role of teacher empathy is recognized as a key factor in improving teacher-student interaction, motivation and academic performance. Despite the importance of teacher empathy, its role in promoting inclusive education is still largely unknown. High levels of empathy are not necessarily associated with greater ability to implement inclusive education, as they can lead to excessive emotional engagement and stress, which negatively affect teachers' abilities. Therefore, the present study explored whether the relationship between high empathy and perceived ability to implement inclusive education could be moderated by other variables, such as emotional self-efficacy and gender. A large sample of Italian support teachers (N=739; Mage=37.7; females= 86.9%) was recruited for this study. We found that higher levels of empathy were related to higher levels of self-efficacy in inclusive education, especially when levels of emotional self-efficacy were higher. This relationship was only found for female teachers. The results contribute to knowledge about the role of teachers' empathy for inclusion as well as the moderating role of the ability to regulate negative emotions. The study has implications for pre-service teacher education and in-service teacher training.
Laparoscopy for hemodynamic stable penetrating abdominal trauma. An exploratory study in a European setting.
Authors: Harpsøe Nathja Groth , Jensen Lasse Rehné , Possfelt-Møller Emma , Rudolph Søren Steemann , Preisler Louise , Penninga Luit
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Trauma laparotomy is the golden standard for the treatment of penetrating abdominal trauma, though laparotomy is associated with a higher complication risk and prolonged length of hospital stay. Therefore, we explored whether laparoscopy in a trauma setting can be a valuable alternative. We analyzed the management of hemodynamic stable patients with penetrating abdominal trauma and assessed the applicability of laparoscopy in order to reduce non-therapeutic laparotomies.
Methods
We performed a retrospective study of hemodynamic stable patients with a penetrating abdominal trauma who underwent surgery. Data were extracted for a 5-year period from January 2018 to December 2022. Collected data included patient demographics, in-hospital data such as radiological procedures, surgical findings and interventions performed and postoperative outcomes with mortality, complication including reoperation, missed injury and length of stay.
Results
A total of 127 patients were included. We created three groups: A laparoscopy group; a laparoscopy converted to laparotomy group; and a laparotomy group. The e-FAST and CT scan were significantly more positive in the laparotomy group. Most frequently injured organs were liver, diaphragm, stomach, small bowel and colon, retroperitoneal hematoma and spleen. Therapy with hemostatic procedures on the liver and suture of the diaphragm were frequently performed. In total, 29 patients (28%) had a non-therapeutic laparotomy.
Conclusion
Our study revealed a very high rate of non-therapeutic laparotomies. Considering the organ injuries and surgical procedures performed they can in experienced hands be handled laparoscopically. Prospective studies are urgently needed to assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy in abdominal trauma.
X-ray imageable, drug-loaded hydrogel that forms at body temperature for image-guided, needle- based locoregional drug delivery
Authors: Delgado Jose F. , Pritchard William F. , Varble Nicole , Lopez-Silva Tania L. , Arrichiello Antonio , Mikhail Andrew S. , Morhard Robert , Ray Trisha , Havakuk Michal M. , Nguyen Alex , Borde Tabea , Owen Joshua W. , Schneider Joel P. , Karanian John W. , Wood Bradford J.
Published: March 2024

Liver cancer ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Direct intratumoral injections of anti-cancer therapeutics may improve therapeutic efficacy and mitigate adverse effects compared to intravenous injections. Some challenges of intratumoral injections are that the liquid drug formulation may not remain localized and have unpredictable volumetric distribution. Thus, drug delivery varies widely, highly-dependent upon technique. An x-ray imageable poloxamer 407 (POL)-based drug delivery gel was developed and characterized, enabling real-time feedback. Utilizing three needle devices, POL or a control iodinated contrast solution were injected into an ex vivo bovine liver. The 3D distribution was assessed with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The 3D distribution of POL gels demonstrated localized spherical morphologies regardless of the injection rate. In addition, the gel 3D conformal distribution could be intentionally altered, depending on the injection technique. When doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded into the POL and injected, DOX distribution on optical imaging matched iodine distribution on CBCT suggesting spatial alignment of DOX and iodine localization in tissue. The controllability and localized deposition of this formulation may ultimately reduce the dependence on operator technique, reduce systemic side effects, and facilitate reproducibility across treatments, through more predictable standardized delivery.
The importance of kidney response over hematologic response in predicting kidney outcome in AL Amyloidosis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kim Sungmi , Yang Jinyoung , Lee Kyungho , Jeon Junseok , Yoon Sang Eun , Kim Darae , Choi Jin-Oh , Kim Seok Jin , Kim Kihyun , Lee Jung Eun
Published: March 2024

Background
Light chain amyloidosis, characterized by amyloid fibril deposition in multiple organs, often leads to progression to end-stage kidney disease. This study aimed to identify predictors of kidney survival in patients with kidney amyloidosis, focusing on hematologic and kidney response.
Methods
This retrospective study included 138 patients diagnosed with kidney amyloidosis between 2011 and 2019. Palladini et al.'s criteria were applied for kidney stage and response, and the 2012 International Society of Amyloidosis criteria for hematologic response.
Results
Overall, 17 (12.3%) progressed to end-stage kidney disease. Multivariate analysis, considering baseline characteristics, revealed that stage Ⅱ was associated with an increased risk of end-stage kidney disease compared to stage Ⅰ (hazard ratio 3.75; 95% confidence interval 1.38–10.15; P = 0.01). Compared to kidney response, the risk of end-stage kidney disease increased by 8.42 (95% confidence interval 1.71–41.35; P = 0.01) and 7.36 (95% confidence interval 1.25–43.33; P = 0.03) times in stable disease and kidney progression at 6 months, independently on baseline characteristics, respectively, whereas hematologic response showed no association with kidney outcome. Kidney survival was longer in patients with both deep hematologic response and kidney response than in those with only hematologic response (P = 0.004).
Conclusion
The study underscores the importance of kidney response over hematologic response in predicting end-stage kidney disease and emphasizes the need to assess treatment endpoints, considering organ response alongside hematologic response.
Maximizing Green Economic Efficiency: The Role of Robot Adoption in Shaping the Future of Manufacturing
Authors: Zhu Mingying
Published: March 2024

Robots play a key role in the manufacturing industry by automating production lines. This study focuses on examining how integrating robots enhance green economic efficiency in manufacturing. We utilize the NDDF model to compute the unified efficiency index (UEI), serving as the core explanatory variable to measure green economic efficiency. Through the application of OLS, 2SLS, Tobit, and IV-Tobit methods, we demonstrate that robots can significantly promote labor productivity, improve capital utilization, and reduce environmental pollution risks. Specifically, a one standard deviation increase in robot installation corresponds to a 29.20% increase in UEI relative to the mean. However, in high energy-consuming and pollutant industries, robots have a limited effect on energy efficiency and emission reduction due to complex production processes and diverse emission sources. Our findings help to provide a theoretical basis to inspire increased investment and promotion of robotics in industrial production, fostering the development of green economy.
Deficit Irrigation practices on Broccoli Growth in a Natural Ventilated Net-cum-Polyhouse
Authors: Sojitra M.A , Satasiya R.M , Vadaria K.N , Rank H.D , Chauhan P.M
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of irrigation stress on yield and yield attribute parameter at various growth stage of the broccoli under natural ventilated net-cum-polyhouse. The research experiment was carried out at Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India for the period of two year 2020-21 and 2021-22. The irrigation stress was imposed 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of the ETc at initial, mid and end stage of the crop. ETo was calculated by the standard and well accepted FAO-56 method. The yield attribute parameter like stem diameter, plant height, No. of leaves per plant and plant canopy was measured at respective growth stages. However the days taken to harvest, curd diameter, curd weight and yield was measured at time of harvesting. The effect of irrigation stress level on crop growth stages found significant on stem diameter, plant height, No. of leaves per plant, plant canopy, curd diameter, curd weight and yield. The interaction effect of stress imposed on crop growth stage and irrigation stress level on stem diameter, plant height, plant canopy, curd weight and yield was found significant. However, No. of leaves per plant, days taken to harvest and curd diameter was found non significant. The irrigation stress imposed 20% of ETC applied at initial and end stage promote the higher yield in broccoli cultivation. Moreover, the yield was found at par with irrigation stress imposed up to 60% at initial stage and 40% at end stage of the crop. It is advisable to imposed irrigation stress at initial stage and end stage of the broccoli crop during the scare water resources under natural ventilated net-cum-polyhouse. However, irrigation stress imposed at mid stage significantly affect the broccoli yield.
Deep learning based operating parameter decision-making method for optimal penetration rate
Authors: Zhu Yan
Published: March 2024

TBM has become one of the most important equipment for underground excavation due to its effectiveness on both time and economic. However, the efficiency and safety of TBM excavation is highly dependent on the driver's experience. This study proposes a novel deep learning-based intelligent decision-making model for TBM operating parameters. The model consists of a deep learning based TBM operating parameters and TBM performance mapping algorithm and operating parameters decision-making method. The proposed model takes the historical mechanical data of the TBM as input and can suggest optimal operating parameters for TBM excavation in real time. The mapping algorithm can predict the performance of the TBM at any given operating parameter with an average percentage error accuracy of 4.06% for PR and 4.65% for torque. The results show that the proposed decision-making method for operating parameters can increase the PR for about 10% in high excavatability regions and increase about 3% PR in low excavatability regions while reduce energy cost and presumably reduce cutter weariness. This study also analyzes the logic behind the selection of operating parameters by the TBM driver and why the proposed method can achieve better TBM performance than manually driven TBMs.
Hop, Walk or Bound? Limb Proportions in Kangaroos and the Probable Locomotion of the extinct genus Protemnodon
Authors: Jones Billie , Janis Christine Marie
Published: March 2024

Kangaroos (Macropodoidea) display a diversity of locomotor modes, from bounding quadrupedally to hopping bipedally, but hopping has a body mass limit, which was exceeded by a number of extinct taxa. In the Pleistocene a variety of "giant” kangaroos existed: members of the extinct subfamily Sthenurinae have been previously considered to have a type of locomotion different from extant kangaroos (bipedal striding), but the primary locomotor mode of the large species of the extinct "giant" genus Protemnodon, closely related to extant large kangaroos, has undergone little question. Here, the association between limb proportions and locomotor mode across Macropodoidea is assessed by examination of functional limb indices. We show that large (> 100 kg) Protemnodon species are unlike any other known macropodoids; their position in this functional morphospace, along with other evidence on humeral morphology, supports prior hypotheses of a primarily quadrupedal mode of locomotion, likely some sort of bounding.
Proteogenomic characterization of the non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer response to BCG reveals potential therapeutic strategies
Authors: Qu Yuanyuan , Xu Ning , Yao Zhenmei , Zhang Linhui , Zhu Yiping , Cai Tingting , Wang Yunzhi , Li Kai , Feng Jinwen , Gu Chenyuan , Shen Yijun , Tan Subei , Zhu Jiajun , Zhang Qiao , Ma Chunguang , Li lingling , Gu Yanzi , Xu Xiaomeng , Ding Fei , Qin Guangqi , Ni Shujuan , Zhao Jianyuan , Ye Dingwei , Ding Chen Ding
Published: March 2024

Background
Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard therapy for adjuvant treatment in patients with intermediate- and high-risk superficial bladder cancer. However, the molecular properties associated with BCG therapy have not been fully characterized.
Methods
We reported a comprehensive proteogenomic analysis, including whole-genome sequencing, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics profiling, of 160 non-invasive-muscle bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients treated with BCG.
Results
Proteogenomic integration analysis indicted that tumor mutational burden (TMB), associated with STAT1 activity, was relevant to drug sensitivity. Additionally, our analysis of copy number alterations (CNAs) showed that TLR3 deletion was negatively correlated with response to BCG therapy. TLR3 was validated to regulate the cytokine secretion, and enhance sensitivity to BCG in BC cell lines and organoids. High TMB levels were also associated with improved BCG efficacy across different TLR3 expression subgroups, which holds significant implications. Through proteomic analysis, we identified three subtypes in patients with BCG, reflecting distinct clinical prognosis and biological characteristics. Furthermore, we developed prognostic models with high accuracy to predict the therapeutic response and PFS of NMIBC.
Conclusions
This study provides a rich resource for investigating the mechanisms and indicators of BCG therapy in NMIBC, which can be basis for further improvement of therapeutic response.
Early Stage Thymoma and The Surgical Extent Paradigm
Authors: Kocaman Gökhan , Cangır Ayten Kayı
Published: March 2024

Background
Although the recommended treatment for early stage thymoma without myasthenia gravis is complete thymectomy (CT), limited thymectomy (LT); simply resecting the thymoma by minimally invasive methods is gaining popularity. In this study, we compared the surgical and oncological results of complete and limited thymectomy in non-myasthenic patients with early stage thymoma.
Methods
Non-myasthenic, Masaoka stage I-II, 86 patients who underwent surgical resection for thymoma were included in the study. Complete thymectomy (n:44) included patients who had resection of the thymoma together with the entire thymus and limited thymectomy (n:42) included patients who had resection of the thymoma without remaining thymus. The surgical approach, tumor size, histological type, pathological stage, adjuvant therapy, complications, postop myasthenia gravis, recurrence and death were recorded and compared between groups.
Results
Complete thymectomy group had more WHO type B1-3 tumors, more complications and more deaths than patients in the limited thymectomy group (p = 0.03, 0.018 and 0.023 respectively). Although statistically not significant CT group had more recurrences than LT group (11.4% / 4.8%, p = 0.43). The 10-year freedom from recurrence (FFR) rate in the CT group was 84.8% and in the LT group ıt was 97.6%, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.15). None of the factors including surgical extent analysed with univariate and multivariate analysis had a significant effect on FFR.
Conclusions
Limited thymectomy may be a good treatment option for non-myasthenic early stage thymoma patients but randomized controlled trials with long follow-up periods, ideally comparing patients operated with minimally invasive surgery are necessary.
Adaptive Connected Hybrid Beamforming for Energy Efficiency Maximization in Multi-User Millimeter Wave Systems
Authors: Chen Guangyi , Zhang Ruoyu , Miao Chen , Ma Yue , Wu Wen
Published: March 2024

Energy efficiency (EE) is a key enabler for sustainable green millimeter wave (mmWave) communication. However, conventional hybrid beamforming methods suffer from energy efficiency performance loss due to hardware limitations and the connected structure. To overcome these limitations, this work investigates a novel adaptive connected (AC) hybrid beamforming (HBF) design for multi-user mmWave systems. We formulate the problem as an EE maximization problem subject to the constraints of the adaptive connected structure, constant modulus, and power budget. Addressing this complicated non-convex problem, we harness the characteristics of the AC structure and introduce an iterative HBF design algorithm grounded in fractional programming. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed AC-based HBF design in terms of EE enhancement.