bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability analysis of nonlinear fuzzy hybrid control systems subject to saturation and delays via step‐function method
Authors: Qiu Ruiyang , Li Ruihai , Qiu Jianbin
Published: October 2023

Within the framework of the step‐function method, the stability of a nonlinear fuzzy hybrid control system that incorporates both an impulsive controller and a continuous state feedback controller is investigated. Both the two controllers are assumed to be subject to both actuator saturation and time‐varying delays, which has been given scant attention, if any, in the existing studies. A new assumption is introduced in this article, thereby enabling the use of generalized sector conditions to tackle the double saturation, and the conservatism inherent in stability results is remarkably reduced owing to the improved step‐function approach employed. The stability theorem proposed in this article removes constraints imposed on the time delays of both controllers, which can be also applied to wider scopes of systems, encompassing hybrid control systems with both stabilizing and instabilizing impulses, systems with varying impulsive gain, and systems with Zeno behavior. Numerical simulations of stabilization for different systems by delayed saturated hybrid control have been conducted, which demonstrate the validity of the proposed theorems.
Dual‐mode event‐triggered predictive control for nonlinear systems with bounded disturbances
Authors: Du Shengli , Zhao Mingming , Wang Xue‐Fang , Han Honggui , Qiao Junfei
Published: October 2023

In this article, we propose a dual‐mode event‐triggered predictive control method for nonlinear systems with bounded disturbances. The proposed method contains two triggering mechanisms, namely, the hybrid threshold‐based event‐triggered model predictive control (HETMPC) mechanism and the event‐triggered linear quadratic regulator mechanism. The former triggering mechanism is designed based on the error between the real state and the optimal state and also the disturbance information acted on the investigated system. Compared with the traditional fixed triggering threshold, the designed HETMPC has a fewer triggering numbers and reduces the computational burden of online real‐time optimization. This event‐triggered mechanism will be adopted before the states go into the terminal invariant set. The latter event‐triggered mechanism is designed based on the derivation of the system state and it will be adopted after the states enter the terminal invariant set. The feasibility and the input‐to‐state practical stability analysis of the designed strategy is presented. Some simulations, including the application to a mass‐spring‐damper system, are provided to show the correctness and feasibility of the designed algorithms.
Hydrogel‐Based Biosensors for Bacterial Infections
Authors: Sun Xiaoning , Ding Chunmei , Qin Meng , Li Jianshu
Published: October 2023

Hydrogels are known to have the advantages such as good biodegradability, biocompatibility, and easy functionalization, making them ideal candidates for biosensors. Hydrogel‐based biosensors that respond to bacteria‐induced microenvironmental changes such as pH, enzymes, antigens, etc., or directly interact with bacterial surface receptors, can be applied for early diagnosis of bacterial infections, providing information for timely treatment while avoiding antibiotic abuse. Furthermore, hydrogel biosensors capable of both bacteria diagnosis and treatment will greatly facilitate the development of point‐of‐care monitoring of bacterial infections. In this review, the recent advancement of hydrogel‐based biosensors for bacterial infection is summarized and discussed. First, the biosensors based on pH‐sensitive hydrogels, bacterial‐specific secretions‐sensitive hydrogels, and hydrogels directly in contact with bacterial surfaces are presented. Next, hydrogel biosensors capable of detecting bacterial infection in the early stage followed by immediate on‐demand treatment are discussed. Finally, the challenges and future development of hydrogel biosensors for bacterial infections are proposed.
Advances of Single‐Atomic Cobalt Catalysts in Liquid‐Phase Selective Oxidative Reactions
Authors: Li Jiaquan , Wang Kai , Jiang Yijiao , Huang Jun , Liu Shaomin
Published: October 2023

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) composed of atomically dispersed metal‐active sites embedded in supporting substrates are attracting increasing attention in liquid‐phase selective oxidation reactions with joint merits of both advanced catalytic efficiency and high stability. Co‐based SACs present superior performance in several model oxidative reactions against many other metals, thus they are recognized as a promising solution to the current high‐cost noble‐metal catalysts required for the synthesis of fine chemicals. In this review, the up‐to‐date research on the synthesized Co–SACs in selective oxidation applications is summarized. The strategies of the preparation of Co–SACs with diverse Co‐loading levels and well‐tuned morphologies and chemical structures are showcased, as well as the characterization techniques of the SACs. The applications of Co–SACs in a series of selective oxidation reactions and the influence of different oxidants on the overall reaction efficiency are discussed. In addition, the progress of the mechanism exploration involving active‐site identification, catalytic activation of oxidants, and oxidation pathway elucidation is highlighted. Meanwhile, the existing challenges and the future efforts for the development of the Co–SAC reaction system in selective oxidation processes are outlined.
Experimental study on the cracking behavior of anchorage zones
Authors: Marchão Carla , Marreiros Rui , Ribeiro Filipe
Published: October 2023

With the aim of studying the cracking behavior of anchorage zones of post‐tensioning tendons, an experimental research has been performed. The experimental program included eight prismatic specimens with 265 mm × 265 mm × 580 mm and 300 mm × 300 mm × 600 mm, reinforced with combinations of spirals and stirrups. The studied variables included the cross‐section dimensions and the amount of confining stirrups. In this study special anchorage devices were used in all specimens, which are commonly used in everyday practice. To be able to fulfill the loading protocol, concrete strains were measured. These values were also used to study the cracking loads and crack widths, and to assess the influence of the different studied variables, as well as the failure loads. Models from the literature were used to estimate the expected values for cracking loads. These values were compared with the experimental ones to verify their adequacy for the tested specimens. From the experimental tests, it can be concluded that the increase of the stirrup diameter leads to lower cracking loads. The increase of the cross‐section dimensions results in an increase in the cracking load. Available theories for estimating the cracking load do not provide satisfactory predictions of the expected cracking load.
Low‐Power and Fast‐Response Limiting Current‐Type Oxygen Microsensor with a Wide Range Oxygen Concentration
Authors: Akasaka Shunsuke , Kanno Isaku
Published: October 2023

In this study, we fabricated limiting current‐type oxygen microsensors capable of sensing a wide range of oxygen concentrations. The oxygen microsensors consist of yttria‐stabilized zirconia thin films on spiral Ta2O5 diffusion layers and high‐temperature micro‐hotplates. At temperatures above 575 °C, we observed a clear limiting current that increased proportionally with oxygen concentration between 0.4% and 94%. This wide‐range linearity is attributed to the Knudsen diffusion of the oxygen gas passing through the small gap in the spiral Ta2O5 diffusion layer. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Dynamics of Myers-Perry black holes with almost equal angular momenta in odd dimensions
Authors: Suzuki Ryotaku , Tomizawa Shinya
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We investigate the nonlinear dynamics of D = 2N + 3 Myers-Perry black holes with almost equal angular momenta, which have N equal spins out of possible N + 1 spins. In particular, we study the ultraspinning instability and the fate of its nonlinear evolution using the large D effective theory approach. We find that every stationary phase can be mapped to the counterpart in the singly rotating phase within the leading order effective theory. From the known results of singly rotating solutions, we obtain the phase diagram of almost equally rotating black holes. We also obtain a certain implication for the possible topology changing transition.
Potential benefits of routine cystoscopy and vaginoscopy prior to reconstructive surgery in patients with an anorectal malformation
Authors: de Beaufort Cunera M. C. , Boom Daphne T. , Mackay Tara M. , Dekker Judith J. M. L. , Arguedas Flores Olga E. , de Jong Justin R. , Kuijper Caroline F. , Gorter Ramon R.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

First, to assess the number of patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) in whom additional urological and/or gynecological anomalies were identified through routine screening with cysto- or vaginoscopy prior to reconstructive surgery. Second, to assess potential procedure-related complications.

Methods

Retrospective mono-center cohort study, including all ARM patients born between January 2019 and December 2022. Routine screening consisted of cystoscopy for male patients, with the addition of vaginoscopy for female patients. Chi-square was used to compare the screening percentages over time.

Results

In total, 38 patients were included, of whom 27 (71.1%) underwent cystoscopy ± vaginoscopy, without the occurrence of complications. Nine of 13 females (69.2%) underwent cysto- and vaginoscopy and 18 of 25 males (72.0%) underwent a cystoscopy. The percentage of patients that underwent these procedures improved over the 2 time periods (50.0% in 2019–2020 vs 90.0% in 2021–2022, p = 0.011). In 15 of 27 patients (55.6%) that underwent cystoscopy ± vaginoscopy, additional anomalies were found that were not identified through physical examination or US-kidney.

Conclusions

In 56% of the patients that underwent cysto- ± vaginoscopy, additional anomalies were identified that were not with imaging studies or physical examination. This study emphasizes the potential benefit of routine cysto- and vaginoscopy in the diagnostic work-up of children with ARM.

Level of Evidence: III.
Early-onset restrictive food intake disorders in children: a latent class analysis
Authors: Stordeur Coline , Ayrolles Anaël , Trebossen Vincent , Barret Ségolène , Baillin Florence , Poncet-Kalifa Hélène , Meslot Carine , Clarke Julia , Bargiacchi Anne , Peyre Hugo , Delorme Richard
Published: October 2023

The two most frequent early-onset restrictive food intake disorders are early-onset anorexia nervosa (EOAN) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorders (ARFID). Although the core symptoms of EOAN (i.e., fear of gaining weight and disturbed body image) are not present in ARFID, these symptoms are difficult to assess during the initial phase of hospitalisation. Our aim was  to identify restrictive food intake disorder subtypes in children using latent class analysis (LCA) based on the information available at admission to hospital, and to determine the agreement between the subtypes identified using LCA and the final diagnosis: EOAN or ARFID. We retrospectively included 97 children under 13 years old with severe eating disorders (DSM-5) at their first hospitalisation in a specialised French paediatric unit. LCA was based on clinical information, growth chart analyses and socio-demographic parameters available at admission. We then compared the probabilities of latent class membership with the diagnosis (EOAN or ARFID) made at the end of the hospitalisation. The most parsimonious LCA model was a 2-class solution. Children diagnosed with EOAN at the end of hospitalisation had a 100% probability of belonging to class 1 while children diagnosed with ARFID had an 8% probability of belonging to class 1 based on parameters available at admission. Our results indicate that clinical and socio-demographic characteristics other than the core symptoms of EOAN may be discriminating for a differential diagnosis.
Social drug dealing: how peer-to-peer fintech platforms have transformed illicit drug markets
Authors: Boehnke Jörn , Loupos Pantelis , Gu Ying
Published: October 2023

Digital platforms have revolutionized the way illegal drug trafficking is taking place. Modern drug dealers use social network platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, as direct-to-consumer marketing tools. But apart from the marketing side, drug dealers also use fintech payment apps to engage in financial transactions with their clients. In this work, we leverage a large dataset from Venmo to investigate the digital money trail of drug dealers and the social networks they create. Using text and social network analytics, we identify two types of illicit users: mixed-activity participants and heavy drug traffickers and build a random forest classifier that accurately predicts both types of illicit nodes. We then investigate the social network structure of drug dealers on Venmo and find that heavy drug traffickers share similar network characteristics with previous literature findings on drug trafficking networks. However, mixed-activity participants exhibit different patterns of network structure characteristics, including a higher clustering coefficient, suggesting that they may be accessing multiple networks and bridging those networks through their illicit activities. Our findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between these two types of illicit users and provide law enforcement agencies with valuable insights that can aid in combating illegal drug transactions in digital payment apps.
High phosphorus availability and low light intensity reduce the competitive ability of the invasive plant Chromolaena odorata in tropical coral islands
Authors: Huang Luping , Liao Mengcheng , Liao Huixuan , Liu Zhanfeng , Cai Hongyue , Zhou Wanmin , Xu Zhanhui , Ouyang Kangting , Yang Wenyun , Jian Shuguang
Published: October 2023

Chromolaena odorata is one of the most common invasive plants, as the phosphorus input from guano in the coral islands continuously decreasing, causing substantial harm to the native vegetation in recent years. In the current study, we investigated the effects of soil phosphorous content, light intensity and competition on several physiological traits (plant height, leaf area, maximum net photosynthetic rate, and relative growth rate) of C. odorata and the native species Pisonia grandis and Scaevola taccada based on a greenhouse experiment with two light intensities and three levels of soil available phosphorus (P) content. We also evaluated the effects of light intensity and soil phosphorus content (and their interaction) on the relative yield and aggressivity coefficient of the invasive species C. odorata. The results showed that low light intensity significantly inhibited the growth of the three species. However, the high P treatment significantly inhibited the growth of C. odorata and P. grandis and significantly increased the growth of S. taccada under full-light conditions. The effect of soil P content on the interspecific competition among C. odorata, P. grandis, and S. taccada was mediated by light intensity and species combination. The high P treatment significantly reduced the competitive advantage of C. odorata over P. grandis. The results demonstrate that shaded habitats with a high soil P content could restrict invasion by C. odorata. This suggests that the invasiveness of C. odorata in tropical coral islands can be reduced by protecting native vegetation and thus increasing shade and soil P content.
Climate-induced shifts in irrigation water demand and supply during sensitive crop growth phases in South Asia
Authors: Ahmad Qurat-ul-Ain , Moors Eddy , Biemans Hester , Shaheen Nuzba , Masih Ilyas , ur Rahman Hashmi Muhammad Zia
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the shifts in irrigation water demand and supply of the major staple and water-intensive crops (wheat and rice) in the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra (IGB) river basins of South Asia under the combined impacts of climate change and socio-economic development during the period 1981–2100. It explores irrigation water usage during climate-sensitive crop growth phases (i.e. vegetative and reproductive which required ~ 60% of the total seasonal (sowing to harvest) water demand), which is supposed to be crucial for long-term integrated crop water management. A hydrology vegetation model Lund Potsdam Jena Managed Land is forced with an ensemble of eight downscaled (5 arc-min) global climate model’s using the RCP (Representative concentration pathways) -SSP (Shared socio-economic pathways) framework, i.e. RCP4.5-SSP1 and RCP8.5-SSP3. To investigate phase-specific crop water projections, trend analysis is performed. It shows a significant (p<0.001) increase in irrigation water demand during the vegetative phase of wheat (6 mm) and reproductive phase of rice (26 mm) and a decrease during the reproductive phase of wheat (13 mm) and vegetative phase of rice (11 mm) in selected study sites. The large decrease in projected irrigation demand for wheat can be explained by a shortening of the growing season length as a result of rising temperatures and increased precipitation. Whereas, an increase in irrigation demand for rice is a combined effect of higher temperatures and less precipitation during the reproductive phase in the region. At the same time, irrigation supply by surface water and groundwater is likely to change in future due to warmer and drier growing periods, causing a significant increase in groundwater irrigation, mainly for rice. Our major research findings show the importance of crop water assessments during the sensitive crop growth phases of wheat and rice which vary in space and time. Including crop phase-specific, climate impact assessments of regional and global projection will help improve the region’s existing crop-water management strategies and adaptation practices.
The diagnostic accuracy of photopic negative responses evoked by broadband and chromatic stimuli in a clinically heterogeneous population
Authors: Leo Shaun M. , Neveu Magella M. , Yu-Wai-Man Patrick , Mahroo Omar A. , Robson Anthony G.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the photopic negative response (PhNR) elicited by red-blue (RB) and white-white (WW) stimuli, for detection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction in a heterogeneous clinical cohort.

Methods

Adults referred for electrophysiological investigations were recruited consecutively for this single-centre, prospective, paired diagnostic accuracy study. PhNRs were recorded to red flashes (1.5 cd·s·m−2) on a blue background (10 cd·m−2) and to white flashes on a white background (the latter being the ISCEV standard LA 3 stimulus). PhNR results were compared with a reference test battery assessing RGC/optic nerve structure and function including optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and mean RGC volume measurements, fundus photography, pattern electroretinography and visual evoked potentials. Primary outcome measures were differences in sensitivity and specificity of the two PhNR methods.

Results

Two hundred and forty-three participants were initially enrolled, with 200 (median age 54; range 18–95; female 65%) meeting inclusion criteria. Sensitivity was 53% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 39% to 68%) and 62% (95% CI 48% to 76%), for WW and RB PhNRs, respectively. Specificity was 80% (95% CI 74% to 86%) and 78% (95% CI 72% to 85%), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between sensitivities (p = 0.046) but not specificities (p = 0.08) of the two methods. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.73 for WW and 0.74 for RB PhNRs.

Conclusion

PhNRs to red flashes on a blue background may be more sensitive than white-on-white stimuli, but there is no significant difference between specificities. This study highlights the value and potential convenience of using white-on-white stimuli, already used widely for routine ERG assessment.
Sphagnum cultivation sites as habitat for beetles (Coleoptera) and the effect of vegetation structure on species occurrence and abundance
Authors: Zoch Lotta , Budig Sören , Reich Michael
Published: October 2023

The cultivation of peat mosses (‘Sphagnum farming’) is a new wet and climate-friendly agricultural use of degraded bog sites. However, it is largely unknown to what extent these surrogate habitats are used by bog fauna. This study investigated the potential of Sphagnum cultivation sites as surrogate habitats for beetles and evaluated the relationship between the vegetation structure and the occurrence of beetle species. In 2017 and 2018, comparative surveys were carried out at different sub-areas of two Sphagnum cultivation sites and one near-natural bog. Beetles living in and on the upper Sphagnum layer were studied by manually extracting quadrat samples. Vegetation surveys were conducted in the same quadrats to analyze the occurrence of beetle species based on vegetation parameters. We collected 926 individuals of beetles belonging to 89 species out of 17 families. At the different sections of the cultivation sites, 8–16 bog-typical beetle species were found, while at the sub-areas of the near-natural bog, there were 15 and 19 bog-typical species, respectively. The statistical analyses showed that vegetation structure influenced the numbers of beetle species and individuals at both the cultivation and near-natural sites.

Implications for insect conservation

A dense and high Sphagnum carpet is a fundamental habitat structure for the beetle fauna of cultivation sites, while vascular plants initially help to create habitat structures on bare peat. Conversely, if the vascular plants overgrow and shade the Sphagnum, this can have a negative effect on bog-typical beetle species, as shown at the near-natural site.
Soil amendment with insect frass and exuviae affects rhizosphere bacterial community, shoot growth and carbon/nitrogen ratio of a brassicaceous plant
Authors: van de Zande Els M. , Wantulla Max , van Loon Joop J. A. , Dicke Marcel
Published: October 2023

Aims

In terrestrial ecosystems, deposition of insect frass and cadavers in the soil influences soil characteristics, including microbial community composition, with consequences for plant growth and development. Insect frass and exuviae are also a major residual stream from insect production for food and feed, that may be used as soil amendment. However, only few studies have thoroughly examined the effect of soil amendment with insect frass and exuviae on rhizosphere microbial communities and plant growth.

Methods

We studied the effects of soil amendment with frass and/or exuviae originating from three insect species,Tenebrio molitor,Acheta domesticus, andHermetia illucens, at three different concentrations, compared to synthetic fertiliser. At several time points we analysed the rhizosphere bacterial community and assessed multiple plant-growth parameters of a brassicaceous plant.

Results

Soil amendment with frass and/or exuviae improved plant growth at least as well as synthetic fertiliser,A. domesticusexuviae having the strongest impact. The origin (insect species), type (frass or exuviae) and concentration of soil amendment influenced the effects on plant traits. The rhizosphere bacterial community differed between amended and unamended soil. Bacterial genera that contain plant growth-promoting species were more abundant in the rhizosphere of plants grown in amended soil.

Conclusions

Addition of insect frass and/or exuviae to the soil differentially affects the bacterial rhizosphere community and promotes plant growth in these soils, underlining their unique roles in the aboveground-belowground feedback loop, and their potential use as soil amendment in circular agriculture.
Caught between pity, explicit bias, and discrimination: a qualitative study on the impact of stigma on the quality of life of persons living with sickle cell disease in three African countries
Authors: Munung Nchangwi Syntia , Treadwell Marsha , Kamga Karen Kengne , Dennis-Antwi Jemima , Anie Kofi , Bukini Daima , Makani Julie , Wonkam Ambroise
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder characterized by unpredictable episodes of acute pain and numerous health complications. Individuals with SCD often face stigma from the public, including perceptions that they are lazy or weak tending to exaggerate their pain crisis, which can profoundly impact their quality of life (QoL).

Methods

In a qualitative phenomenological study conducted in Cameroon, Ghana, and Tanzania, we explored stakeholders’ perceptions of SCD-related stigma using three analytical frameworks: Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory; The Health Stigma and Discriminatory Framework; and A Public Health Framework for Reducing Stigma.

Results

The study reveals that SCD-related stigma is marked by prejudice, negative labelling and social discrimination, with derogatory terms such as sickler, ogbanje (one who comes and goes), sika besa (money will finish), ene mewu (I can die today, I can die tomorrow), vampire (one who consumes human blood), and Efiewura (landlord-of the hospital), commonly used to refer to individuals living with SCD. Drivers of stigma include frequent crises and hospitalizations, distinct physical features of individuals living with SCD, cultural misconceptions about SCD and its association with early mortality. Proposed strategies for mitigating stigma include public health education campaigns about SCD, integrating SCD into school curricula, healthcare worker training and community engagement.

Conclusion

The results highlight the importance of challenging stigmatizing narratives on SCD and recognizing that stigmatization represents a social injustice that significantly diminishes the QoL of individuals living with SCD.
"not one size fits all” The challenges of measuring paediatric health-related quality of life and the potential role of digital ecological momentary assessment: a qualitative study
Authors: Fraser Holly , Thompson Lauren , Crawley Esther , Ridd Matthew J. , Brigden Amberly
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To explore the views of clinicians and researchers about the challenges of measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children (5–11 years) and to explore whether digital ecological momentary assessment (EMA) could enhance HRQoL measurement.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 18 professionals (10 academics/researchers, four clinicians, four with both professional backgrounds) experienced in child HRQoL measurement. We analysed data thematically.

Results

Theme One describes the uncertainty around conceptualising HRQoL for children and which domains to include; the greater immediacy and sensitivity of children’s reflections on their HRQoL, leading to high variability of the construct; and the wide individual differences across childhood, incongruent with fixed HRQoL measures. Theme Two describes the challenges of proxy reporting, questioning whether proxies can meaningfully report a child’s HRQoL and reflecting on discrepancies between child and proxy reporting. Theme Three covers the challenge of interpreting change in HRQoL over time; does a change in HRQoL reflect a change in health, or does this reflect developmental changes in how children report HRQoL. Theme Four discusses digital EMA for HRQoL data capture. In-the-moment, repeated measurement could provide rich data and address challenges of recall, ecological validity and variability; passive data could provide objective markers to supplement subjective responses; and technology could enable personalisation and child-centred design. However, participants also raised methodological, practical and ethical challenges of digital approaches.

Conclusion

Digital EMA may address some of the challenges of HRQoL data collection with children. We conclude by discussing potential future research to explore and develop this approach.
Scientific metaphysics and social science
Authors: Ross Don
Published: October 2023

Recently, philosophers have developed an extensive literature on social ontology that applies methods and concepts from analytic metaphysics. Much of this is entirely abstracted from, and unconcerned with, social science. However, Epstein (2015) argues explicitly that analytic social metaphysics, provided its account of ontological ‘grounding’ is repaired in specific ways, can rescue social science from explanatory impasses into which he thinks it has fallen. This version of analytic social ontology thus directly competes with radically naturalistic alternatives, in a way that helps to clarify what makes some metaphysics genuinely scientific (that is, part of the scientific enterprise and worldview). I consider this competition, marshal considerations against the value to social science of analytic metaphysics, and sketch a contrasting scientific metaphysics for understanding the implications of revisionist social ontology in unified scientific ontology.
Strong apoptotic response of testis tumor cells following cisplatin treatment
Authors: Köberle Beate , Usanova Svetlana , Piee-Staffa Andrea , Heinicke Ulrike , Clauss Philipp , Brozovic Anamaria , Kaina Bernd
Published: October 2023

Most solid metastatic cancers are resistant to chemotherapy. However, metastatic testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are cured in over 80% of patients using cisplatin-based combination therapy. Published data suggest that TGCTs are sensitive to cisplatin due to limited DNA repair and presumably also to a propensity to undergo apoptosis. To further investigate this aspect, cisplatin-induced activation of apoptotic pathways was investigated in cisplatin-sensitive testis tumor cells (TTC) and compared to cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cells. Apoptosis induction was investigated using flow cytometry, caspase activation and PARP-1 cleavage. Immunoblotting and RT-PCR were applied to investigate pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Transfections were performed to target p53- and Fas/FasL-mediated apoptotic signaling. Immunoblotting experiments revealed p53 to be induced in TTC, but not bladder cancer cells following cisplatin. Higher levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and Noxa were observed in TTC, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was solely expressed in bladder cancer cells. Cisplatin led to translocation of Bax to the mitochondrial membrane in TTC, resulting in cytochrome C release. Cisplatin increased the expression of FasR mRNA and FasL protein in all tumor cell lines. Targeting the apoptotic pathway via siRNA-mediated knockdown of p53 and FAS reduced death receptor-mediated apoptosis and increased cisplatin resistance in TTC, indicating the involvement of FAS-mediated apoptosis in the cisplatin TTC response. In conclusion, both the death receptor and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway become strongly activated in TTC following cisplatin treatment, explaining, together with attenuated DNA repair, their unique sensitivity toward platinum-based anticancer drugs.
Processing of boar spermatozoa with phosphate-buffered saline at 4˚C induces an increase in 32 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p32)
Authors: Martín-Hidalgo David , Izquierdo Mercedes , Bartolomé-García Paloma , Macías-García Beatriz , González-Fernández Lauro
Published: October 2023

We aimed to investigate the impact of processing boar spermatozoa with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 4 ˚C on acrosomal integrity and increase in 32 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p32). Following cooled PBS washing, we observed a significant increase in p32 levels and in the proportion of dead spermatozoa with compromised acrosomal integrity compared to sperm washing using PBS at room temperature. Interestingly, this increase in p32 was effectively inhibited when cooled PBS was supplemented with 1 mM AEBSF, a serine protease inhibitor. Our findings suggest that the increase of p32 in response to cooled PBS washing in boar spermatozoa is associated with enhanced protease activity in dead spermatozoa.
Magnetic inversion approach for modeling data acquired across faults: various environmental cases studies
Authors: Essa Khalid S. , Abo-Ezz Eid R. , Anderson N. L. , Gomaa Omar A. , Elhussein Mahmoud
Published: October 2023

An effective extension to the particle swarm optimizer scheme has been developed to visualize and modelize robustly magnetic data acquired across vertical or dipping faults. This method can be applied to magnetic data sets that support various investigations, including mining, fault hazards assessment, and hydrocarbon exploration. The inversion algorithm is established depending on the second horizontal derivative technique and the particle swarm optimizer algorithm and was utilized for multi-source models. Herein, the inversion method is applied to three synthetic models (a dipping fault model contaminated without and with different Gaussian noises levels, a dipping fault model affected by regional anomaly, and a multi-source model) and three real datasets from India, Australia, and Egypt, respectively. The output models confirm the inversion approach’s accuracy, applicability, and efficacy. Also, the results obtained from the suggested approach have been correlated with those from other methods published in the literature.
Therapeutic Biomarkers in Friedreich’s Ataxia: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Gavriilaki Maria , Chatzikyriakou Evangelia , Moschou Maria , Arnaoutoglou Marianthi , Sakellari Ioanna , Kimiskidis Vasilios K.
Published: October 2023

Although a large array of biomarkers have been investigated in Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) trials, the optimal biomarker for assessing disease progression or therapeutic benefit has yet to be identified. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases up to June 2023 for any original study (with ≥ 5 participants and ≥ 2 months’ follow-up) reporting the effect of therapeutic interventions on any clinical, cardiac, biochemical, patient-reported outcome measures, imaging, or neurophysiologic biomarker. We also explored the biomarkers’ ability to detect subtle disease progression in untreated patients. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated using a random-effects model. The study’s protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022319196). In total, 43 studies with 1409 FRDA patients were included in the qualitative synthesis. A statistically significant improvement was observed in Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale scores [combining Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) and modified FARS (mFARS): SMD =  − 0.32 (− 0.62 to − 0.02)] following drugs that augment mitochondrial function in a sensitivity analysis. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was improved significantly [SMD =  − 0.34 (− 0.5 to − 0.18)] after 28.5 months of treatment with drugs that augment mitochondrial function. However, LVMI remained stable [SMD = 0.05 (− 0.3 to 0.41)] in untreated patients after 6-month follow-up. None of the remaining biomarkers changed significantly following any treatment intervention nor during the natural disease progression. Nevertheless, clinical implications of these results should be interpreted with caution because of low to very low quality of evidence. Further randomized controlled trials of at least 24 months’ duration using a biomarker toolbox rather than a single biomarker are warranted.
Design of a Novel α-Shaped Flue Gas Route Flame Incinerator for the Treatment of Municipal Waste Materials
Authors: Liu Xiaozhou , Zhu Guangyu , Asim Taimoor , Mishra Rakesh
Published: October 2023

In order to improve the combustion characteristics of municipal waste materials and reduce excess pollutants generated during the incineration process, this study develops a novel waste incinerator with an α-shaped flue gas route. This has been achieved through the application of momentum vector synthesis theory in order to modify the secondary air structure in a conventional incinerator, resulting in enhanced combustion efficiency of the incinerator. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based cold state test results demonstrate that with appropriate modifications to the design of the incinerator, the flue gas propagates through a longer α-shaped route rather than conventional L-shaped route. Hot state tests have been carried out on a full scale 750 tons/day waste incinerator. Test rests show that the temperature of the flue gas increases by 138% under the front arch when secondary air supply is being incorporated into the design of the incinerator, resulting in better combustion of the municipal waste materials, lower emissions and higher thermal efficiency of the incinerator. The results obtained in this study confirm the rationality and feasibility of momentum flow rate method for better design of waste incinerators.

Graphical Abstract
Tracking circulating PD-L1-positive cells to monitor the outcome of patients with gastric cancer receiving anti-HER2 plus anti-PD-1 therapy
Authors: Chong Xiaoyi , Li Yanyan , Lu Jialin , Feng Xujiao , Li Yilin , Zhang Xiaotian
Published: October 2023

Dual blockade of HER2 and PD-1/PD-L1 is the most promising regimen for HER2-positive patients with gastric cancer (GC); PD-L1 combined positive score, rather than HER2 status, indicates potential benefit. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) derived from the tumor microenvironment provide platforms for the dynamic evaluation of PD-L1 expression. Whether PD-L1 positive CTCs/CECs (PD-L1+CTCs/CECs) can serve as biomarkers for evaluating the efficacy of combination therapy remains unknown. Therefore, this study investigated PD-L1 expression and heterogeneous karyotypic features of CTCs/CECs and their involvement in the clinical response to treatment in 72 patients with advanced GC by applying a pre-established surface molecule-independent subtraction enrichment (SE)-iFISH strategy. In the captured PD-L1 positive cells, there were 42.80% and 57.20% of CTCs and CECs, respectively. PD-L1+ CTCs were pre-therapeutically detected in 0% (0/11) of HER2-negative patients and 14.75% (9/61) of HER2-positive patients. The presence of baseline PD-L1+CTCs was relevant to inferior prognosis (mPFS: 14.40 months vs 5.00 months, P = 0.065); post-treatment PD-L1+ CECs were associated with longer irPFS (immunotherapeutic-related PFS) (mPFS: 15.57 months vs 6.73 months, P = 0.053). Further dynamic karyotype-based profiling of PD-L1+ CTCs/CECs indicated that multiploidy and triploidy were the dominant subtypes of baseline PD-L1+ CTCs, and that triploidy was specifically associated with therapeutic resistance. Intratherapeutically detected multiploid PD-L1+ CECs demonstrated a superior clinical response; triploidy and tetraploidy contributed to acquired resistance. The karyotypic features of PD-L1+CTCs/CECs should be dynamically profiled in patients with GC treated with anti-HER2 plus anti-PD-1 therapy. Triploid-PD-L1+ CTCs and multiploid-PD-L1+ CECs are potential indicators of therapeutic response.
Systematic Review of Intervention and Prevention Programs to Tackle Homophobic Bullying at School: a Socio-emotional Learning Skills Perspective
Authors: Amadori A. , Intra F. Sangiuliano , Taverna L. , Brighi A.
Published: October 2023

Homophobia is a persisting and changing phenomenon globally affecting the educational system. Data clearly shows that school is not perceived as a safe environment for sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). This work aims to systematically review the intervention and prevention programs designed to specifically address bullying behaviors at school towards SGMY, providing an analysis of the socio-emotional learning (SEL) components included in the interventions, to understand which socio-emotional skills can enhance students’ capabilities to prevent homophobic behaviors and promote safe environments for all students. The literature research was completed in February 2023 on NCBI PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist and diagram. A total of 408 studies were evaluated. 24 studies were selected as eligible for the final review. Each study was coded according to the targeted population: students, teachers, or to a whole school; moreover, the SEL model components were used as further classification criteria. The majority of interventions were targeted to students and to enhance social awareness. The literature review reported the lack of whole-school approaches, and most programs were not explicitly designed according to a SEL taxonomy despite the importance of socio-emotional skills in preventing prejudicial bullying. The review highlights the relevance of a socio-ecological approach to universal and targeted interventions.
City of Intellect
Authors: Dirks Nicholas B.
Published: October 2023

During his four years as the tenth Chancellor of Berkeley (2013–17), Nicholas B. Dirks was confronted by crises arguably more challenging than those faced by any other college administrator in the contemporary period. This thoughtfully candid book, emerging from deep reflection on his turbulent time in office, offers not just a gripping insider's account of the febrile politics of his time as Berkeley's leader, but also decades of nuanced reflection on the university's true meaning (at its best, to be an aspirational 'city of intellect'). Dirks wrestles with some of the most urgent questions with which educational leaders are presently having to engage: including topics such as free speech and campus safe spaces, the humanities' contested future, and the real cost and value of liberal arts learning. His visionary intervention – part autobiography, part practical manifesto – is a passionate cri de cœur for structural changes in higher education that are both significant and profound.
Stratifying nursing home care to further explore a locally validated risk factor for community-acquired pneumonia (SNAP-CAP Study)
Authors: Kutsar Dennis , Awad Nirvana , Rastogi Rupangi
Published: October 2023

We observed that patients admitted to our hospital from a prestratified group of congregated living facilities had a numerically higher percentage of study-defined resistant organisms in sputum cultures compared to facilities without these characteristics [89.4% vs 78.3%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.34 (95% CI, 0.73–7.58)].
Characterizing the personality and gray matter volume of chimpanzees that exhibit autism-related socio-communicative phenotypes
Authors: Hopkins William D. , Mulholland Michele , Latzman Robert D.
Published: October 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by stereotypies or repetitive behaviors and impairments in social behavior and socio-communicative skills. One hallmark phenotype of ASD is poor joint attention skills compared to neurotypical controls. In addition, individuals with ASD have lower scores on several of the Big 5 personality dimensions, including Extraversion. Here, we examine these traits in a nonhuman primate model (chimpanzees; Pan troglodytes) to further understand the relationship between personality and joint attention skills, as well as the genetic and neural systems that contribute to these phenotypes. We used archival data including receptive joint attention (RJA) performance, personality based on caretaker ratings, and magnetic resonance images from 189 chimpanzees. We found that, like humans, chimpanzees who performed worse on the RJA task had lower Extraversion scores. We also found that joint attention skills and several personality dimensions, including Extraversion, were significantly heritable. There was also a borderline significant genetic correlation between RJA and Extraversion. A conjunction analysis examining gray matter volume showed that there were five main brain regions associated with both higher levels of Extraversion and social cognition. These regions included the right posterior middle and superior temporal gyrus, bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal sulcus, and left superior frontal sulcus, all regions within the social brain network. Altogether, these findings provide further evidence that chimpanzees serve as an excellent model for understanding the mechanisms underlying social impairment related to ASD. Future research should further examine the relationship between social cognition, personality, genetics, and neuroanatomy and function in nonhuman primate models.
Taylorism, Worker Resistance, and Industrial Relations in Sweden
Authors: Mirsafian Arvand
Published: October 2023

This article explores the influence of worker resistance to Taylorism on industrial relations in Sweden. By analysing archival material from workers at the Separator Corporate Group, the Metal Workers’ Union, and the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, this article highlights the interplay between shop floor activism, discussions within trade unions, and central labour market relations. It demonstrates how rank-and-file activism compelled union leadership and the central labour market organizations to adopt a series of agreements in the 1940s aimed at addressing worker resistance to Taylorism.

Despite worker discontent, scientific management spread during the 1930s and 1940s. This eventually contributed to the Metal Strike of 1945, which had significant impact on labour–capital relations. According to the metal workers, scientific management, particularly time-motion studies, reduced their bargaining power by concealing labour processes and methods for wage determination, thereby allowing management a monopoly on knowledge.

Following the strike, negotiations between the Trade Union Confederation and the Swedish Employers’ Association resulted in the 1948 Work Studies Agreement. This agreement provided a platform for resolving conflicts and encouraging workers’ support of rationalization via the Work Studies Council. Worker resistance consequently drove Swedish labour market centralization, inadvertently promoting closer labour–capital cooperation.

This article argues, among other things, that although worker resistance failed to upend scientific management, it resulted in it being regulated within a corporatist framework. This highlights the important historical role local trade union activism has played in shaping labour market institutions and the broader political economy.
Sumud pedagogy as linguistic citizenship: Palestinian youth in Israel against imposed subjectivities
Authors: Awayed-Bishara Muzna
Published: October 2023

This linguistic ethnographic study offers a nuanced pedagogical account of the Arabic term sumud, or ‘steadfastness’, through a sociolinguistic analysis of decolonial modes of expression among Palestinian youth in Israel. I reflect on events during the 2021 uprisings in East Jerusalem, when Palestinian youth within Israel took to the streets in solidarity with Palestinians in Jerusalem and Gaza. Considering the Israeli education system's denationalization of the Palestinian community within its borders, I examine how Palestinian political ideals cultivated outside the formal educational system open new possibilities for political organizing and expression. I reflect upon interviews with members of the Haifa Youth Movement and a Palestinian hip-hop artist and his lyrics. Engaging with Stroud's theorization of linguistic citizenship, I show how pedagogy of sumud as a linguistic citizenship practice opens new semiotic spaces for Palestinian youth in Israel to resist the erasure of their identity. (Linguistic citizenship, sumud pedagogy, Palestinian youth, colonized education)*