bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pyogenic liver abscess secondary to gastric perforation of an ingested toothpick: A case report
Authors: Park Yeshong , Han Ho-Seong , Yoon Yoo-Seok , Cho Jai Young , Lee Boram , Kang MeeYoung , Kim Jinju , Lee Hae Won
Published: August 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent tumors worldwide and the leading contributor to cancer-related deaths. The progression and metastasis of HCC are closely associated with altered mitochondrial metabolism, including mitochondrial stress response. Mitokines, soluble proteins produced and secreted in response to mitochondrial stress, play an essential immunomodulatory role. Immunotherapy has emerged as a crucial treatment option for HCC. However, a positive response to therapy is typically dependent on the interaction of tumor cells with immune regulation within the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, exploring the specific immunomodulatory mechanisms of mitokines in HCC is essential for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the association between HCC and the immune microenvironment and highlights recent progress in understanding the involvement of mitochondrial function in preserving liver function. In addition, a systematic review of mitokines-mediated immunomodulation in HCC is presented. Finally, the potential diagnostic and therapeutic roles of mitokines in HCC are prospected and summarized. Recent progress in mitokine research represents a new prospect for mitochondrial therapy. Considering the potential of mitokines to regulate immune function, investigating them as a relevant molecular target holds great promise for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
Foot Falls – Managing Flatfeet in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Deshmukh Ranjit
Published: August 2023

Flat feet are rarely symptomatic in children. The reason for consultation is usually parental anxiety and peer pressure. Majority of the patients and their parents needs to be treated with assurance. The clinical assessment of the foot must however be performed systematically in order to detect signs of symptomatic flat feet that are detected early and treated within time. Asymptomatic flexible flat feet constitute the majority of these feet and need to be assessed for a tight tendo achilles. Feet with a tight tendo achilles are most likely to become symptomatic and may need some form of treatment. The treatment is primarily conservative however in exceptional circumstances joint sparing osteo tomies of the feet are recommended Evaluation of the foot should detect any signs of a rigid flat foot. The cause of rigidity if established early can be addressed to prevent long term morbidity. Keywords: :Flexible Flatfoot, Rigid Flatfoot Achilles tendon contracture, Foot Osteotomies.
Paternal and maternal love for married and unmarried sons and daughters
Authors: Husain Waqar , Shams Kainat , Behram Afsheen , Tahir Resham , Rafique Samha
Published: August 2023

Parental love has been studied in relation to infants and younger children. The adult sons and daughters who marry and become parents constitute another category of ‘children’. As the earlier literature did not explore parental love in relation to these ‘adult married sons and daughters’ earlier, the current study was the first-ever effort in this regard. The study was conducted in two phases and involved 982 purposely selected participants. A new scale to measure love was also developed and validated during the two phases of the study. The findings revealed significant differences in paternal and maternal love between married and unmarried sons and daughters. The findings of the study would serve as a novel contribution to the existing literature on parental love. The newly developed ‘Love Scale’ would facilitate future researchers in exploring love in a general way that could be applied to all possible relationships.
Analysis of scanning systematic errors for airborne laser bathymetry
Authors: Du Libin , Cui Tong , Meng Xiangqian , Yuan Yibo , Wang Liwei , Shang Zhiwei , Chen Hao , Huang Hongzhi
Published: August 2023

For the Palmer mechanical scanning pattern of an airborne laser bathymetry system, the potential errors of the scanning system are analyzed, and the associated error model is derived. The model composes the description of laser rays, water surface fluctuations, and refraction, and introduces certain simplifications concerning the water surface and column. Based on the scanning error model, the impact of each error source on the vertical and horizontal positioning accuracy is investigated and established through a numerical simulation. The quantitative impacts of each inaccuracy on the coordinates of the laser footprints on the sea surface and bottom were calculated, with a height of 100 m for the airborne platform and a water depth of 10 m. To verify the correctness of the simulation results and the error model based on a theoretical analysis, experiments are utilized with the system that we developed. Both the simulation analysis and experimental results show that this method can effectively obtain the systematic errors. The outcomes of the error model and analysis will give the theoretical foundations for lowering the effect brought on by each error source in the compensation scanning system and improving the point cloud accuracy in the ensuing data processing.
Long-term assessment of cutaneous inflammation and treatment using optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy
Authors: Zhao Yuanlong , Li Tingting , Guo Heng , Hu Rui , Xi Lei
Published: August 2023

Cutaneous inflammation is an acute skin disease characterized by edema
and vascular hyperplasia. Longitudinal monitoring of vasculature is
crucial for studying the development of inflammation and evaluating
the therapeutic efficacy of drugs. Optical-resolution photoacoustic
microscopy (OR-PAM) is a hybrid imaging tool for non-invasive and
label-free visualization of microcirculations with a capillary-scale
spatial resolution. In this study, we assess the feasibility of OR-PAM
for long-term monitoring of vascular changes in
12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-Acetate (TPA)-induced mouse models, as
well as the corresponding treatment process. Quantitative vascular
evaluation is conducted based on derived key parameters, including
vessel length, branchpoint number, vessel area fraction, vessel
diameter, fractal dimension, vessel tortuosity and ear thickness,
which reveal that vascular morphological changes are highly dependent
on the concentration of TPA and existence of therapeutic drugs.
Furthermore, the results show the potential of OR-PAM in the clinical
management of inflammation and as an effective tool to evaluate
vascular responses to pharmacological interventions in
vivo.
Enantioselective transport of chiral spheres using focused femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Ali Rfaqat , Wu Ying
Published: August 2023

Optical tweezers are commonly used for manipulating chiral particles by tailoring the properties of the electromagnetic field or of the particles themselves. Non-linearity provides additional degree of freedom to control the manipulation by changing the trapping conditions. In this work, we leverage the nonlinear optical properties of a medium by illuminating it with a circularly polarized laser pulse, enabling single particle enantioselection for the chiral spheres immersed in it. By adjusting the power of the laser pulses, we demonstrate stable trapping of chiral spheres with one handedness near the focal region, while spheres with the opposite handedness are repelled. This enables the chiral resolution of racemic mixtures. Additionally, we perturbed the stable equilibrium position of the trap by driving the sample stage, leading to the emergence of a new stable equilibrium position achieved under the action of the Stokes force. Here we show that the chirality of each individually trapped particle can also be characterized by the rotation of the equilibrium position. Since the power of the laser pulses can be experimentally controlled, this scheme is practical to perform enantioselection, chiral characterization, and chiral resolution of a single chiral sphere with arbitrarily small chirality parameters.
Color gamut volume and the maximum number of mutually discernible colors based on a Riemannian metric
Authors: Candry Patrick , De Visschere Patrick , Neyts Kristiaan
Published: August 2023

For the calculation of the color gamut volume and the maximum number of mutually discernible colors, an algorithm based on a Riemannian metric and the densest packing of spheres is proposed. With this algorithm, the color gamut volume was calculated for the conditions of experiments reported in literature. Good agreement was found with the experimental findings of the color gamut volume as a function of the peak luminance. Using the new algorithm, the color gamut volume and the maximum number of mutually discernible colors was calculated for various sets of primary colors corresponding to display standards and various dynamic ranges. Comparisons were made with state-of-the-art methods which are based on the Euclidean metric in approximately uniform color spaces and a simple cubic lattice. It was found that the state-of-the-art methods underestimate the maximum number of mutually discernible colors. However, the relative differences decrease as the primary colors are more saturated. Based on the new algorithm the maximum number of mutually discernible colors was calculated for a range of peak retinal illuminance levels and various sets of primary colors. We found that, for a given set of primary colors, the maximum number of mutually discernible colors is proportional to the logarithm of the ratio of the peak retinal illuminance level and a fitting parameter.
Artificial neural networks for laser frequency stabilization
Authors: Winkler Lisa , Nölleke Christian
Published: August 2023

In order to stabilize a laser’s emission frequency, absolute references such as molecular absorption lines are widely used. To automate the stabilization process, the desired absorption line needs to be identified reliably from a spectrum by a computer. We present an artificial neural network solving this task using the iodine spectrum as an example. The neural network is trained using only simulated data and subsequently tested using measured data. We show that this approach is robust against large variations of operating and environmental conditions.
Machine-learning-assisted omnidirectional bending sensor based on a cascaded asymmetric dual-core PCF sensor
Authors: Huang Bingsen , Sheng Xinzhi , Cao Jiaqi , Jia Haoqiang , Gao Wei , Gu Shuai , Wang Xin , Chu Paul K , Lou Shuqin
Published: August 2023

An omnidirectional bending sensor comprising cascaded asymmetric dual-core photonic crystal fibers (ADCPCFs) is designed and demonstrated experimentally. Upon cascading and splicing two ADCPCFs at a lateral rotation angle, the transmission spectrum of the sensor becomes highly dependent on the bending direction. Machine learning (ML) is employed to predict the curvature and bending orientation of the bending sensor for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The experimental results demonstrate that the ADCPCF sensor used in combination with machine learning can predict the curvature and omnidirectional bending orientation within 360° without requiring any post-processing fabrication steps. The prediction accuracy is 99.85% with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.7° for bending direction measurement and 98.08% with an MAE of 0.03 m−1 for the curvature measurement. This promising strategy utilizes the global features (full spectra) in combination with machine learning to overcome the dependence of the sensor on high-quality transmission spectra, the wavelength range, and a special wavelength dip in the conventional dip tracking method. This excellent omnidirectional bending sensor has large potential for structural health monitoring, robotic arms, medical instruments, and wearable devices.
High-sensitivity synchronous angio-lymphography based on a speckle spectrum contrast OCT
Authors: Hu Yudan , Zhao Xin , Zhang Zhuangzhuang , Chen Yanshan , Li Tingfeng , Tang Zhilie , Tang Peijun
Published: August 2023

To achieve accurate selection and synchronous imaging of blood vessels and lymph, a speckle spectrum contrast method (SSC) based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is proposed in this Letter. In this method, the time-lapse optical coherence tomography (OCT) intensity signal is transformed to the Fourier frequency domain. By analyzing the frequency spectrum of the time-lapse OCT intensity signal, a parameter called SSC signal, which represents the ratio of different intervals of the high frequency to the low frequency, is utilized to extract and contrast different types of the vessels in the biological tissues. In the SSC spectrum, the SSC signals of the static tissue, lymphatic vessels, and vascular vessels can be separated in three different frequency intervals, enabling differentiation and synchronous imaging of the lymphatic-vascular vessels. A mouse ear was used to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of this method. By using the SSC signal as the imaging parameter, the lymphatic and blood vessels of the mouse ear are differentiated and visualized simultaneously. This study shows the feasibility of the three-dimensional (3D) synchronous angio-lymphography based on the SSC method, which provides a tool to improve the understanding for disease research and treatment.
Determining depth of field for slanted lenticular 3D displays
Authors: Surman Phil , Zheng Changxiong , Zhang Chaojian , Yao Zhenwei , Yang Xiaochuan , Xu Wenwei , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: August 2023

The availability of higher resolution display panels has increasingly made glasses-free 3D displays become a viable mainstream commercial product; it is therefore important to define and measure their parameters. We will discuss the measurement of multiview 3D displays that use a slanted lenticular screen in front of the display panel to control the light directions. Multiple perspective views are formed across the viewing field giving viewers the sensation of depth and motion parallax. In addition to the usual parameters of resolution, luminance, contrast etc., it is important that we know the image depth of field (DOF). In this paper, we will first define the DOF and then describe means of measuring it. The aim of the paper is to describe general theory and procedure, and not the measurement of specific displays. However, a comparison of the results on a sample test display of the three methods described, is reported in order to give an indication of accuracy.
serosim: An R package for simulating serological data arising from vaccination, epidemiological and antibody kinetics processes
Authors: Menezes Arthur , Takahashi Saki , Routledge Isobel , Metcalf C. Jessica E. , Graham Andrea L. , Hay James A.
Published: August 2023

serosim is an open-source R package designed to aid inference from serological studies, by simulating data arising from user-specified vaccine and antibody kinetics processes using a random effects model. Serological data are used to assess population immunity by directly measuring individuals’ antibody titers. They uncover locations and/or populations which are susceptible and provide evidence of past infection or vaccination to help inform public health measures and surveillance. Both serological data and new analytical techniques used to interpret them are increasingly widespread. This creates a need for tools to simulate serological studies and the processes underlying observed titer values, as this will enable researchers to identify best practices for serological study design, and provide a standardized framework to evaluate the performance of different inference methods. serosim allows users to specify and adjust model inputs representing underlying processes responsible for generating the observed titer values like time-varying patterns of infection and vaccination, population demography, immunity and antibody kinetics, and serological sampling design in order to best represent the population and disease system(s) of interest. This package will be useful for planning sampling design of future serological studies, understanding determinants of observed serological data, and validating the accuracy and power of new statistical methods.
Integrating sex-bias into studies of archaic introgression on chromosome X
Authors: Chevy Elizabeth T. , Huerta-Sánchez Emilia , Ramachandran Sohini
Published: August 2023

Evidence of interbreeding between archaic hominins and humans comes from methods that infer the locations of segments of archaic haplotypes, or ‘archaic coverage’ using the genomes of people living today. As more estimates of archaic coverage have emerged, it has become clear that most of this coverage is found on the autosomes— very little is retained on chromosome X. Here, we summarize published estimates of archaic coverage on autosomes and chromosome X from extant human samples. We find on average 7 times more archaic coverage on autosomes than chromosome X, and identify broad continental patterns in this ratio: greatest in European samples, and least in South Asian samples. We also perform extensive simulation studies to investigate how the amount of archaic coverage, lengths of coverage, and rates of purging of archaic coverage are affected by sex-bias caused by an unequal sex ratio within the archaic introgressors. Our results generally confirm that, with increasing male sex-bias, less archaic coverage is retained on chromosome X. Ours is the first study to explicitly model such sex-bias and its potential role in creating the dearth of archaic coverage on chromosome X.
Exome sequencing identified rare recurrent copy number variants and hereditary breast cancer susceptibility
Authors: Kumpula Timo A. , Vorimo Sandra , Mattila Taneli T. , O’Gorman Luke , Astuti Galuh , Tervasmäki Anna , Koivuluoma Susanna , Mattila Tiina M. , Grip Mervi , Winqvist Robert , Kuismin Outi , Moilanen Jukka , Hoischen Alexander , Gilissen Christian , Mantere Tuomo , Pylkäs Katri
Published: August 2023

Copy number variants (CNVs) are a major source of genetic variation and can disrupt genes or affect gene dosage. They are known to be causal or underlie predisposition to various diseases. However, the role of CNVs in inherited breast cancer susceptibility has not been thoroughly investigated. To address this, we performed whole-exome sequencing based analysis of rare CNVs in 98 high-risk Northern Finnish breast cancer cases. After filtering, selected candidate alleles were validated and characterized with a combination of orthogonal methods, including PCR-based approaches, optical genome mapping and long-read sequencing. This revealed three recurrent alterations: a 31 kb deletion co-occurring with a retrotransposon insertion (delins) in RAD52, a 13.4 kb deletion in HSD17B14 and a 64 kb partial duplication of RAD51C. Notably, all these genes encode proteins involved in pathways previously identified as essential for breast cancer development. Variants were genotyped in geographically matched cases and controls (altogether 278 hereditary and 1983 unselected breast cancer cases, and 1229 controls). The RAD52 delins and HSD17B14 deletion both showed significant enrichment among cases with indications of hereditary disease susceptibility. RAD52 delins was identified in 7/278 cases (2.5%, P = 0.034, OR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.10–7.45) and HSD17B14 deletion in 8/278 cases (2.9%, P = 0.014, OR = 3.28, 95% CI = 1.31–8.23), the frequency of both variants in the controls being 11/1229 (0.9%). This suggests a role for RAD52 and HSD17B14 in hereditary breast cancer susceptibility. The RAD51C duplication was very rare, identified only in 2/278 of hereditary cases and 2/1229 controls (P = 0.157, OR = 4.45, 95% CI = 0.62–31.70). The identification of recurrent CNVs in these genes, and especially the relatively high frequency of RAD52 and HSD17B14 alterations in the Finnish population, highlights the importance of studying CNVs alongside single nucleotide variants when searching for genetic factors underlying hereditary disease predisposition.
Deep learning for AI-based diagnosis of skin-related neglected tropical diseases: A pilot study
Authors: Yotsu Rie R. , Ding Zhengming , Hamm Jihun , Blanton Ronald E.
Published: August 2023

Background

Deep learning, which is a part of a broader concept of artificial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning has achieved remarkable success in vision tasks. While there is growing interest in the use of this technology in diagnostic support for skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs), there have been limited studies in this area and fewer focused on dark skin. In this study, we aimed to develop deep learning based AI models with clinical images we collected for five skin NTDs, namely, Buruli ulcer, leprosy, mycetoma, scabies, and yaws, to understand how diagnostic accuracy can or cannot be improved using different models and training patterns.

Methodology

This study used photographs collected prospectively in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana through our ongoing studies with use of digital health tools for clinical data documentation and for teledermatology. Our dataset included a total of 1,709 images from 506 patients. Two convolutional neural networks, ResNet-50 and VGG-16 models were adopted to examine the performance of different deep learning architectures and validate their feasibility in diagnosis of the targeted skin NTDs.

Principal findings

The two models were able to correctly predict over 70% of the diagnoses, and there was a consistent performance improvement with more training samples. The ResNet-50 model performed better than the VGG-16 model. A model trained with PCR confirmed cases of Buruli ulcer yielded 1–3% increase in prediction accuracy across all diseases, except, for mycetoma, over a model which training sets included unconfirmed cases.

Conclusions

Our approach was to have the deep learning model distinguish between multiple pathologies simultaneously–which is close to real-world practice. The more images used for training, the more accurate the diagnosis became. The percentages of correct diagnosis increased with PCR-positive cases of Buruli ulcer. This demonstrated that it may be better to input images from the more accurately diagnosed cases in the training models also for achieving better accuracy in the generated AI models. However, the increase was marginal which may be an indication that the accuracy of clinical diagnosis alone is reliable to an extent for Buruli ulcer. Diagnostic tests also have their flaws, and they are not always reliable. One hope for AI is that it will objectively resolve this gap between diagnostic tests and clinical diagnoses with the addition of another tool. While there are still challenges to be overcome, there is a potential for AI to address the unmet needs where access to medical care is limited, like for those affected by skin NTDs.
De novo assembly and annotation of the Amblyomma hebraeum tick midgut transcriptome response to Ehrlichia ruminantium infection
Authors: Omondi David , Zweygarth Erich , Murungi Edwin , Jongejan Frans , Nijhof Ard M.
Published: August 2023

The South African bont tick Amblyomma hebraeum is a hematophagous vector for the heartwater disease pathogen Ehrlichia ruminantium in southern Africa. During feeding, the tick’s enterocytes express proteins that perform vital functions in blood digestion, including proteins that may be involved in E. ruminantium acquisition, colonization or immunity. To delineate the molecular mechanism of midgut response to E. ruminantium infection, we performed comparative analyses of midgut transcriptomes of E. ruminantium infected engorged A. hebraeum nymphs, and infected adult male and female ticks with their corresponding matched uninfected controls, before and during feeding. A total of 102,036 unigenes were annotated in public databases and their expression levels analyzed for engorged nymphs as well as unfed and partly-fed adult ticks. There were 2,025 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in midguts, of which 1,225 unigenes were up-regulated and 800 unigenes were down-regulated in the midguts of infected ticks. Annotation of DEGs revealed an increase in metabolic and cellular processes among E. ruminantium infected ticks. Notably, among the infected ticks, there was up-regulation in the expression of genes involved in tick immunity, histone proteins and oxidative stress responses. We also observed up-regulation of glycoproteins that E. ruminantium could potentially use as docking sites for host cell entry. Insights uncovered in this study offer a platform for further investigations into the molecular interaction between E. ruminantium and A. hebraeum.
Meaningful everyday life situations from the perspective of children born preterm: A photo-elicitation interview study with six-year-old children
Authors: Andersson Anna Karin , Almqvist Lena , Strand Brodd Katarina , Harder Maria
Published: August 2023

Aim

The aim of the study was to explore meaningful everyday life situations as perceived by six-year-old children born preterm.

Materials and methods

The study had a descriptive qualitative design with an inductive approach. Ten, six-year-old children born preterm, not diagnosed with any disabilities, participated. Data was collected by photo-elicitation interviews to stimulate and help the children to describe their meaningful everyday life situations. A qualitative content analysis according to Elo and Kyngäs was applied.

Results

The children’s descriptions of meaningful everyday life situations can be understood asbeing in an active and dynamic process, representing the core category. The analysis resulted in three generic categories, as the children described the significance ofhaving significant circumstancesanddoing things. The experiences the children gain when they do things create theirdesire for further development.

Discussion

The results reveal that children born preterm are able to reflect on and give detailed descriptions of situations of importance to them. The study suggests that if six-year-old children born preterm are given the opportunity to share their views they can take an active role e.g. in planning and carrying through of interventions by health care services.
Reduced levels of A20 protein prompted RIPK1-dependent apoptosis and blood–brain barrier breakdown during cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Yang Chaonan , Wang Yongjiao , Wu Xiaohui , Gong Min , Li Ying
Published: August 2023

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage is an important cause of the exacerbation of pathological features of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI). However, the specific mechanism of BBB leakage is not clear. It was found that the CIRI resulted in RIPK1 activation and subsequent RIPK1-dependent apoptosis (RDA). Inhibition of RIPK1 significantly reduced BBB breakdown and brain damage. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of RIPK1 in the BBB leakage during CIRI. It was discovered by proteomics that autophagy activation resulting from ischemia and reperfusion significantly downregulated the level of A20 protein. A20 is an important protein that regulates RIPK1 and RDA. It was hypothesized that activation of autophagy caused by ischemic reperfusion led to a decrease in A20 protein, which, in turn, caused the activation of RIPK1 and the occurrence of RDA, leading to leakage of the BBB. The findings in this study revealed the role of RIPK1 in the cell death and BBB leakage upon cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury, and these findings provide a novel perspective for the treatment of ischemic reperfusion.
Antipsychotic polypharmacy and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia: Multicenter cross-sectional study in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Tamene Fasil Bayafers , Sema Faisel Dula , Sendekie Ashenafi Kibret
Published: August 2023

Background

Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) remains common despite guideline recommendations to minimize combinations, except after repeated antipsychotic monotherapy trials. This study aimed to assess APP and its associated factors among schizophrenia patients at comprehensive specialized hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 schizophrenia patients at selected hospitals in Ethiopia from June to August 2022. The data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Study participants were enrolled using systematic random sampling. Data entry and analysis were done with Epi-data version 4.6.1 and SPSS version 24, respectively. APP was determined by reviewing the number of medications based on relevant evidence. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify APP factors. Variables with a p-value of < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval were considered statistically significant.

Results

From a total of 430 approached samples, 422 (98.1% response rate) eligible patients were included in the study. An overall APP prevalence was 22.7% (95% CI: 19–27). Duration of illness (AOR = 2.88; 95% CI: 1.49, 5.59); duration of treatment (AOR = 3.79; 95% CI: 1.05, 13.62); number of admissions (AOR = 4.93; 95% CI: 2.52, 9.64); and substance use (AOR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.49, 4.47) were significantly associated with APP.

Conclusion and recommendation

In this study, APP was recorded in a considerable number of patients. Patients with a longer duration of illness and treatment, frequent admissions, and substance users need critical follow-up to minimize antipsychotic medication use.
Development and Validation of a Machine Learning System to Identify Reflux Events in Esophageal 24-Hour pH/Impedance Studies
Authors: Zhou Margaret J. , Zikos Thomas , Goel Karan , Goel Kabir , Gu Albert , Re Christopher , Florez Rodriguez David Jose , Clarke John O. , Garcia Patricia , Fernandez-Becker Nielsen , Sonu Irene , Kamal Afrin , Sinha Sidhartha R.
Published: August 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Esophageal 24-hour pH/impedance testing is routinely performed to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease. Interpretation of these studies is time-intensive for expert physicians and has high inter-reader variability. There are no commercially available machine learning tools to assist with automated identification of reflux events in these studies.

METHODS:

A machine learning system to identify reflux events in 24-hour pH/impedance studies was developed, which included an initial signal processing step and a machine learning model. Gold-standard reflux events were defined by a group of expert physicians. Performance metrics were computed to compare the machine learning system, current automated detection software (Reflux Reader v6.1), and an expert physician reader.

RESULTS:

The study cohort included 45 patients (20/5/20 patients in the training/validation/test sets, respectively). The mean age was 51 (standard deviation 14.5) years, 47% of patients were male, and 78% of studies were performed off proton-pump inhibitor. Comparing the machine learning system vs current automated software vs expert physician reader, area under the curve was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85–0.89) vs 0.40 (95% CI 0.37–0.42) vs 0.83 (95% CI 0.81–0.86), respectively; sensitivity was 68.7% vs 61.1% vs 79.4%, respectively; and specificity was 80.8% vs 18.6% vs 87.3%, respectively.

DISCUSSION:

We trained and validated a novel machine learning system to successfully identify reflux events in 24-hour pH/impedance studies. Our model performance was superior to that of existing software and comparable to that of a human reader. Machine learning tools could significantly improve automated interpretation of pH/impedance studies.
Benchmark VERCORS 2022: blind prediction of time-dependent behavior of concrete containment building with low and high-fidelity models
Authors: Krátký Štěpán , Havlásek Petr
Published: August 2023

The VERCORS program aims to acquire an extensive experimental dataset collected to provide a solid basis for numerical modeling of concrete containment buildings (CCBs). In order to cover the entire life-span of a real containment, the measurements are done on 3× smaller mock-up which leads to 9-fold acceleration of all processes related to drying. The goal for the participants of the third VERCORS benchmark was to predict the behaviour of the CCB based on standard laboratory measurements on VERCORS concrete. The previous paper [1] presented the calibration procedure of material models for moisture transport and time-dependent behavior of concrete and summarized the results obtained with a computationally efficient low-fidelity model (LFM). The present paper compares the responses of the LFM and a high-fidelity model (HFM) with a detailed geometry of the entire containment and presents a comparison with the experimental data collected over the last 8 years on the VERCORS mockup.
Return mapping scheme for the Hoek-Brown model with tension cut-off
Authors: Žalská Tereza , Šejnoha Michal
Published: August 2023

The present paper revisits a stress update procedure for the Hoek-Brown plasticity model enhanced by a Rankine type of tension cut-off failure criterion. Limiting tensile stresses not only supports the behavior of weak rock masses with a very low tensile strength but in combination with the original Hoek-Brown model improves robustness of the stress update procedure, i.e. the stress return mapping algorithm. Herein, the primary focus is on the stress return from a space of inadmissible trial stresses for which neither the Hoek-Brown yield surface nor its derivative can be evaluated. All potential scenarios are thoroughly discussed both in the framework of single- and multi-surface plasticity. The presented procedures were implemented and verified with the help of the Geo5 FEM software.
Conspiracism and the Shadows of Transparency
Authors: Chlup Radek
Published: August 2023

Following the approach of cultural studies, which views conspiracism as reflecting larger cultural and social anxieties and concerns, the paper argues that one of these anxieties is connected with the modern ideology of transparency. While at first sight a widely shared positive value, transparency can be shown to hide various tensions and paradoxes on closer inspection. This paper interprets conspiracy theories as imaginative attempts at capturing these tensions, at highlighting the inconspicuous opacity of the late modern transparent world and its institutions. Conspiracists are themselves entangled in the modern ideology of transparency, but at the same time, they knock against its boundaries, making explicit the unspoken premises of the entire system in all their paradoxicality. They draw attention to numerous inconsistencies and dark cracks in our late modern social and ideological system, symbolising them through various disturbing narratives that should not be taken literally but that are interesting precisely in that they offer an opportunity to reflect on the limitations of transparency
Temperature sensor location for the implementation of cascade control schemes in distillation columns: an approach based on multiscale time series analysis
Authors: Moguel-Castañeda Jazael G. , Gomez-Rodriguez Rafael , Puebla Hector , Hernandez-Martinez Eliseo
Published: August 2023

In this work, the application of multiscale analysis to evaluate the sensitivity of the dynamic responses of the trays in a distillation column exposed to external disturbances is explored. This sensitivity allows for the identification of the tray where the temperature sensor improves the performance of a composition-temperature type cascade controller. To implement the proposed methodology, synthetic time series are generated for each plate of the column, which is subsequently analyzed using the multiscale rescaled range (R/S) analysis. Three case studies were evaluated (binary mixtures, azeotropic mixture and ternary mixture), finding that the highest values of the Hurst exponent correlate with the areas of greatest sensitivity of the column. To corroborate this result, a composition-temperature cascade control scheme was implemented, evaluating the temperature sensor in each plate of the column, identifying that the zone of greatest sensitivity determined with the multiscale analysis corresponds to the best performance of the controller. Therefore, our results show that the proposed methodology represents an easy-to-implement alternative that provides information on the most suitable zone for the placement of temperature sensors to improve the performance of cascade control in a pre-designed distillation column.
Application of aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials in molecular imaging of tumors
Authors: Yin Xiujuan , Zhao Huimin , He Zhenqiang , Wang Xiao
Published: August 2023

Cancer is one of the most important causes of human death. Early diagnosis and treatment can make patients live longer. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop early and accurate diagnosis method for tumors. Molecular imaging technology can be used for qualitative and quantitative analyses at cellular and molecular levels, which provides a new technology for accurate diagnosis of tumors. In recent years, various nanomaterials with unique properties have been used for tumor molecular imaging. Meanwhile, aptamers are becoming an indispensable element in the design of functional nanomaterials because of their small size, high stability, and convenient modification, especially giving nanomaterials the ability to recognize specific targets. Therefore, aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials (AFNs) provide unprecedented opportunities for the field of tumor diagnosis. Here we focus on the latest development of AFNs in the molecular imaging of tumors. First, we introduce the characteristics and advantages of common aptamer-modified organic nanomaterials and inorganic nanomaterials. Then, the applications of AFNs in fluorescence imaging, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radionuclide imaging, ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and multimode fusion imaging are discussed. Finally, we provide some perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that have arisen from this promising area.
Perpetrators’ and Victims’ Folk Explanations of Aggressive Behaviors and Desires for Apologies
Authors: McCarthy Randy J. , Wilson Jared P.
Published: August 2023

After an aggressive interaction, perpetrators most want to offer apologies when they have unintentionally harmed another person and victims most want to receive an apology when another person intentionally harmed them. Perpetrators and victims also explain aggressive behaviors differently—perpetrators often explain their own aggressive behaviors by referring to beliefs they considered that led to their behaviors (i.e., “belief” explanations), whereas victims explain perpetrators’ behaviors by referring to background factors that do not mention the perpetrators’ mental deliberations (i.e., “causal history explanations”). Putting these ideas together, the current Registered Report had participants recall either a time they intentionally harmed another person or a time when they were intentionally harmed by another person. Participants then rated several characteristics of the recalled behavior, explained why the behavior occurred, and reported their desire for an apology. As predicted, we found that perpetrators who gave “belief” explanations wanted to give an apology much less than participants who gave “causal history explanations.” However, and inconsistent with our predictions, victims’ desire to receive an apology was similar regardless of how they explained the perpetrators’ behaviors. These findings underscore how perpetrators’ explanations can emphasize (or de-emphasize) the deliberateness of their harmful behaviors and how these explanations are related to their desire to make amends.
Microglia‐synapse engulfment via PtdSer‐TREM2 ameliorates neuronal hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease models
Authors: Rueda‐Carrasco Javier , Sokolova Dimitra , Lee Sang‐Eun , Childs Thomas , Jurčáková Natália , Crowley Gerard , De Schepper Sebastiaan , Ge Judy Z , Lachica Joanne I , Toomey Christina E , Freeman Oliver J , Hardy John , Barnes Samuel J , Lashley Tammaryn , Stevens Beth , Chang Sunghoe , Hong Soyon
Published: August 2023

Neuronal hyperactivity is a key feature of early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Genetic studies in AD support that microglia act as potential cellular drivers of disease risk, but the molecular determinants of microglia‐synapse engulfment associated with neuronal hyperactivity in AD are unclear. Here, using super‐resolution microscopy, 3D‐live imaging of co‐cultures, andin vivoimaging of lipids in genetic models, we found that spines become hyperactive upon Aβ oligomer stimulation and externalize phosphatidylserine (ePtdSer), a canonical “eat‐me” signal. These apoptotic‐like spines are targeted by microglia for engulfment via TREM2 leading to amelioration of Aβ oligomer‐induced synaptic hyperactivity. We also show thein vivorelevance of ePtdSer‐TREM2 signaling in microglia‐synapse engulfment in the hAPP NL‐F knock‐in mouse model of AD. Higher levels of apoptotic‐like synapses in mice as well as humans that carry TREM2 loss‐of‐function variants were also observed. Our work supports that microglia remove hyperactive ePtdSer+synapses in Aβ‐relevant context and suggest a potential beneficial role for microglia in the earliest stages of AD.
Dynamics of SLC25A51 reveal preference for oxidized NAD+ and substrate led transport
Authors: Goyal Shivansh , Paspureddi Akhilesh , Lu Mu‐Jie , Chan Hsin‐Ru , Lyons Scott N , Wilson Crystal N , Niere Marc , Ziegler Mathias , Cambronne Xiaolu A
Published: August 2023

SLC25A51 is a member of the mitochondrial carrier family (MCF) but lacks key residues that contribute to the mechanism of other nucleotide MCF transporters. Thus, how SLC25A51 transports NAD+ across the inner mitochondrial membrane remains unclear. To elucidate its mechanism, we use Molecular Dynamics simulations to reconstitute SLC25A51 homology models into lipid bilayers and to generate hypotheses to test. We observe spontaneous binding of cardiolipin phospholipids to three distinct sites on the exterior of SLC25A51's central pore and find that mutation of these sites impairs cardiolipin binding and transporter activity. We also observe that stable formation of the required matrix gate is controlled by a single salt bridge. We identify binding sites in SLC25A51 for NAD+ and show that its selectivity for NAD+ is guided by an electrostatic interaction between the charged nicotinamide ring in the ligand and a negatively charged patch in the pore. In turn, interaction of NAD+ with interior residue E132 guides the ligand to dynamically engage and weaken the salt bridge gate, representing a ligand‐induced initiation of transport.
Zur Verteidigung eines Leitbilds: Verzinsliches Darlehen nach § 488 Abs. 1 Satz 2 BGB und „Negativzinsen“
Authors: Binder Jens-Hinrich
Published: August 2023

In seiner Entscheidung vom 9. 5. 2023 zur darlehensrechtlichen Bewertung rechnerisch negativer Zinsleistungen infolge einer Zinsgleitklausel hat sich der XI. Zivilsenat des BGH erstmals im aktuellen Marktumfeld mit dem seit Jahren intensiv diskutierten Problemkreis der sog. Negativzinsen befasst, und zwar für einen Darlehensvertrag und mithin für das Aktivgeschäft der Kreditinstitute. Die vorliegende Anmerkung ordnet die zentralen Aussagen der Entscheidung ein und lotet ihre Reichweite auch für anders gelagerte Entscheidungen, insbesondere für die nach wie vor kontrovers diskutierte Zulässigkeit der Festlegung von Verwahrentgelten im Passivgeschäft, aus.
Ziele der Bankenregulierung – Ist mehr besser?
Authors: Neus Werner
Published: August 2023

Weit überwiegend sind Regulierungsziele nicht unmittelbar in den Gesetzestexten kodifiziert. Etwas mehr Klarheit verschafft der Blick in deren Begründungen. Ungeachtet einer Vielzahl hinzu gekommener Aufsichtsinstrumente und -methoden bleiben für lange Zeit die wesentlichen Ziele seit Einführung des KWG 1961 unverändert. Erst am jüngeren Ende zeigen sich vermehrte Anzeichen für eine Ausweitung von Regulierungszielen. Anhand einer Skizze von Desiderata für eine Regulierung (Notwendigkeit, Wirksamkeit und Effizienz) wird geprüft, ob Vorschriften de lege lata oder de lege feranda diesen Anforderungen genügen.
Gestión de seguridad basada en el comportamiento para reducir accidentes en empresas mineras del Perú
Authors: Callupe Baldeón LLiliana
Published: August 2023

El estudio tuvo como objetivo la determinación de la relación entre la seguridad basada en el comportamiento y la reducción de accidentes e incidentes laborales en la empresa minera Alpayana, año 2022. Metodológicamente fue planteada bajo un enfoque cuantitativo de tipo aplicada, con un diseño de investigación causa a efecto nivel cuasi experimental. La población y muestra de la investigación estuvo conformada por un total de 800 accidentes en la mina subterránea desde el año 2018 hasta mayo de 2022 sometidos al análisis y cuantificación de datos. Los resultados permitieron identificar los principales riesgos que son: falta de cultura organizacional, incumplimiento de los protocolos y de capacitación del personal para manejar incidentes, el trabajado bajo comportamiento poco seguro. De igual forma se obtuvo una relación significativa y positiva (p=0.01; X2=7,19) entre la implementación de un sistema de seguridad basado en el comportamiento y la reducción de accidentes e incidentes laborales, así como entre las diferentes dimensiones de la seguridad basada en el comportamiento. Se concluye que la implementación de este sistema de seguridad basado en el comportamiento incidirá significativamente en la reducción de accidentes e incidentes laborales en la empresa minera.
Planeamiento estratégico para optimizar la exploración en empresas mineras juniors exploradoras listadas en Bolsa de Valores de Lima
Authors: Arhuata Cachicatari Percy
Published: August 2023

La investigación trata de cómo deben ser gestionadas las exploraciones de las empresas mineras junior exploradoras de capitales extranjeros establecidas en el Perú, teniendo en cuenta las estrategias que utilizaron en las últimas tres décadas para poder llegar al éxito. Se usa el planeamiento estratégico para la fase de exploración, integrando las estrategias de exploración y adquisición en un árbol de decisiones, basado en las experiencias de tres empresas mineras junior cotizadas en la Bolsa de Valores de Lima (BVL) que tuvieron éxito con sus proyectos mineros, estos serán referencias para que otras empresas similares implementen un planeamiento estratégico y puedan mejorar la gestión de sus exploraciones para aumentar la rentabilidad de sus accionistas, ya que no solo basta tener un buenos proyectos porque si no lo saben manejar no avanza, en todo caso se podrían retroalimentar con los resultados para corregir y encaminar las decisiones y aumentar las probabilidades del éxito. Las informaciones utilizadas para esta investigación fueron diversas documentaciones de gestión e informaciones técnicas que presentan las empresas mencionadas en los mercados bursátiles de Lima y Toronto, disponibles en el Sistema de Análisis y Recuperación de Documentos Electrónicos (SEDAR), sitio oficial que brinda acceso a través de su página web.