bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generation of human antibodies targeting human platelet antigen (HPA)‐1a
Authors: Oosterhoff Janita J. , Linty Federica , Visser Remco , de Vos Thijs , Hofstede‐van Egmond Suzanne , van de Weerd Miranda , Porcelijn Leendert , de Haas Masja , van der Schoot Ellen , Vidarsson Gestur
Published: February 2024

Background

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a condition during pregnancy, which can lead to thrombocytopenia and a bleeding tendency with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) being the most concerning complication in the fetus or neonate. An incompatibility between human platelet antigen (HPA)‐1a accounts for the majority of FNAIT cases. Binding of HPA‐1a‐specific alloantibodies to their target on fetal platelets and endothelial cells can induce apoptosis of megakaryocytes, disrupt platelet function, and impair angiogenesis. Currently, there is no screening program to identify pregnancies at risk for severe disease. A better understanding of HPA‐1a‐specific antibody heterogeneity in FNAIT could aid in identifying pathogenic antibody properties linked to severe disease.

Study Design and Methods

This study aimed to isolate HPA‐1a‐specific B‐cells from an HPA‐1a‐alloimmunized pregnant woman. Using fluorescently labeled HPA‐1a‐positive platelets, single B‐cells were sorted and cultured for 10 days to stimulate antibody production. Subsequently, supernatants were tested for the presence of antibodies by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and their reactivity towards HPA‐1a‐positive platelets. Amplification and sequencing of variable regions allowed the generation of monoclonal antibodies using a HEK‐Freestyle‐based expression system.

Results

Three platelet‐specific B‐cells were obtained and cloned of which two were specific for HPA‐1a, named D‐ and M‐204, while the third was specific for HLA class I, which was named L‐204.

Discussion

This study outlined an effective method for the isolation of HPA‐1a‐specific B‐cells and the generation of monoclonal antibodies. Further characterization of these antibodies holds promise for better understanding the pathogenic nature of alloantibodies in FNAIT.
Pressing ethical issues relating to clinical pig organ transplantation studies
Authors: Hurst Daniel J. , Cooper David K. C.
Published: February 2024

Clinical pig heart transplant experiments have been undertaken, and further clinical experiments and/or clinical trials of gene‐edited pig organ xenotransplantation are anticipated. The ethical issues relating to xenotransplantation have been discussed for decades but with little resolution. Consideration of certain ethical issues is more urgent than others, and the need to attain consensus is important. These issues include: (i) patient selection criteria for expanded access and/or clinical trials; (ii) appropriate protection of the patient from xenozoonoses, that is, infections caused by pig microorganisms transferred with the organ graft, (iii) minimization of the risk of a xenozoonosis to bystanders, and (iv) the need for additional public perception studies. We discuss why it is important and urgent to achieve consensus on these ethical issues prior to carrying out further expanded access experiments or initiating formal clinical trials. The ways forward on each issue are proposed.
Conserved mammalian muscle mechanics during eccentric contractions
Authors: Kissane Roger W. P. , Askew Graham N.
Published: February 2024

Skeletal muscle has a broad range of biomechanical functions, including power generation and energy absorption. These roles are underpinned by the force–velocity relationship, which comprises two distinct components: a concentric and an eccentric force–velocity relationship. The concentric component has been extensively studied across a wide range of muscles with different muscle properties. However, to date, little progress has been made in accurately characterising the eccentric force–velocity relationship in mammalian muscle with varying muscle properties. Consequently, mathematical models of this muscle behaviour are based on a poorly understood phenomenon. Here, we present a comprehensive assessment of the concentric force–velocity and eccentric force–velocity relationships of four mammalian muscles (soleus, extensor digitorum longus, diaphragm and digastric) with varying biomechanical functions, spanning three orders of magnitude in body mass (mouse, rat and rabbits). The force–velocity relationship was characterised using a hyperbolic‐linear equation for the concentric component a hyperbolic equation for the eccentric component, at the same time as measuring the rate of force development in the two phases of force development in relation to eccentric lengthening velocity. We demonstrate that, despite differences in the curvature and plateau height of the eccentric force–velocity relationship, the rates of relative force development were consistent for the two phases of the force–time response during isovelocity lengthening ramps, in relation to lengthening velocity, in the four muscles studied. Our data support the hypothesis that this relationship depends on cross‐bridge and titin activation. Hill‐type musculoskeletal models of the eccentric force–velocity relationship for mammalian muscles should incorporate this biphasic force response.

image

Key points

The capacity of skeletal muscle to generate mechanical work and absorb energy is underpinned by the force–velocity relationship.

Despite identification of the lengthening (eccentric) force–velocity relationship over 80 years ago, no comprehensive study has been undertaken to characterise this relationship in skeletal muscle.

We show that the biphasic force response seen during active muscle lengthening is conserved over three orders of magnitude of mammalian skeletal muscle mass.

Using mice with a small deletion in titin, we show that part of this biphasic force profile in response to muscle lengthening is reliant on normal titin activation.

The rate of force development during muscle stretch may be a more reliable way to describe the forces experienced during eccentric muscle contractions compared to the traditional hyperbolic curve fitting, and functions as a novel predictor of force–velocity characteristics that may be used to better inform hill‐type musculoskeletal models and assess pathophysiological remodelling.
The institutional approach in entrepreneurship research in Latin America.
Authors: Reyes Parga María Alejandra , Orjuela Ramírez Daniel Felipe
Published: February 2024

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the entrepreneurship research activity that uses the institutional approach as a conceptual framework in the specific context of Latin America. To do so, a semi-systematic literature review is conducted using 24 articles published between 2009 and 2021 in major entrepreneurship journals. The results show that institutional conditions significantly shape entrepreneurial dynamics. The review highlights a two-way relationship between formal and informal institutions that can either drive or hinder ventures. Policymakers should thus prioritize a comprehensive institutional approach to enhance entrepreneurial growth and boost regional prosperity. This is the first review of entrepreneurship research from the institutional approach in the Latin American context.
Corrosion Fatigue Behavior of 6000 HP Fracture Pump of the Valve Body Under Different Plunger Stroke Times and Acid Fracture Fluid Environment
Authors: Wang Guorong , Wen Xinming , Hu Gang , Wang Mingcheng
Published: February 2024

As a key equipment for oil and gas extraction, the fracture pump is prone to failure due to fatigue crack in the crossbore of valve body. First, under acid fracture fluid and different loading frequencies, the fatigue crack growth rate of 17-4PH stainless steel was obtained by test, and the test data were used the modified Paris law. Then it is applied to numerical simulations to research the fatigue crack growth behavior of the valve body. The results show that the higher the loading frequency in the fracture fluid, the lower the fatigue crack growth rate, which is consistent with the test results. The influence of the working pressure on the stress intensity factor of the crack front is greater than that of the plunger stroke times. The model accurately predicts the fatigue crack orientation and corrosion fatigue crack growth life of the valve body.
Stable and low loss oxide layer on α-Ta (110) film for superconducting qubits
Authors: Ding Zengqian , Zhou Boyi , Wang Tao , Yang Lina , Wu Yanfu , Cai Xiao , Xiong Kanglin , Feng Jiagui
Published: February 2024

The presence of amorphous oxide layers can significantly affect the coherent time of superconducting qubits due to their high dielectric loss. Typically, the surface oxides of superconductor films exhibit lossy and unstable behavior when exposed to air. To increase the coherence time, it is essential for qubits to have stable and low dielectric loss oxides, either as barrier or passivation layers. In this study, we highlight the robust and stable nature of an amorphous tantalum oxide layer formed on α-Ta (110) film by employing chemical and structural analyses. Such kind of oxide layer forms in a self-limiting process on the surface of α-Ta (110) film in piranha solution, yielding stable thickness and steady chemical composition. Quarter-wavelength coplanar waveguide resonators are made to study the loss of this oxide. One resonator has a Qi of 3.0 × 106 in the single photon region. The Qi of most devices are higher than 2.0 × 106. Moreover, most of them are still over 1 × 106 even after exposed to air for months. Based on these findings, we propose an all-tantalum superconducting qubit utilizing such oxide as passivation layers, which possess low dielectric loss and improved stability.
Evaluation of fendiline treatment in VP40 system with nucleation-elongation process: a computational model of Ebola virus matrix protein assembly
Authors: Liu Xiao , Husby Monica , Stahelin Robert V. , Pienaar Elsje
Published: February 2024

Ebola virus (EBOV) infection is threatening human health, especially in Central and West Africa. Limited clinical trials and the requirement of biosafety level-4 laboratories hinder experimental work to advance our understanding of EBOV and the evaluation of treatment. In this work, we use a computational model to study the assembly and budding process of EBOV and evaluate the effect of fendiline on these processes in the context of fluctuating host membrane lipid levels. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the assembly of VP40 filaments may follow the nucleation-elongation theory, as this mechanism is critical to maintaining a pool of VP40 dimers for the maturation and production of virus-like particles (VLPs). We further find that this nucleation-elongation process is likely influenced by fluctuating phosphatidylserine (PS), which can complicate the efficacy of lipid-targeted therapies like fendiline, a drug that lowers cellular PS levels. Our results indicate that fendiline-induced PS reduction may actually increase VLP production at earlier time points (24 h) and under low fendiline concentrations (≤2 µM). However, this effect is transient and does not change the conclusion that fendiline generally decreases VLP production. In the context of fluctuating PS levels, we also conclude that fendiline can be more efficient at the late stage of VLP budding relative to earlier phases. Combination therapy with a VLP budding step-targeted drug may therefore further increase the treatment efficiency of fendiline. Finally, we also show that fendiline-induced PS reduction more effectively lowers VLP production when VP40 expression is high. Taken together, our results provide critical quantitative information on how fluctuating lipid levels (PS) affect EBOV assembly and egress and how this mechanism can be disrupted by lipid-targeting molecules like fendiline.

IMPORTANCE

Ebola virus (EBOV) infection can cause deadly hemorrhagic fever, which has a mortality rate of ~50%–90% without treatment. The recent outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo illustrate its threat to human health. Though two antibody-based treatments were approved, mortality rates in the last outbreak were still higher than 30%. This can partly be due to the requirement of advanced medical facilities for current treatments. As a result, it is very important to develop and evaluate new therapies for EBOV infection, especially those that can be easily applied in the developing world. The significance of our research is that we evaluate the potential of lipid-targeted treatments in reducing EBOV assembly and egress. We achieved this goal using the VP40 system combined with a computational approach, which both saves time and lowers cost compared to traditional experimental studies and provides innovative new tools to study viral protein dynamics.
Summer warming during Heinrich Stadial 1 in Northeast China
Authors: Zhu Zeyang , Wu Jing , Chu Guoqiang , Rioual Patrick , Lu Jiaxin , Wang Luo , Liu Jiaqi
Published: February 2024

The last deglaciation is considered a key period for exploring the underlying dynamics of temperature changes because it was characterized by multiple millennial-scale abrupt climatic events. However, the limited number of quantitative temperature records in Northeast (NE) China covering the last deglaciation hampers a complete understanding of the mechanisms and processes behind the temperature changes that occurred in that region. Here, we present a quantitative reconstruction of summer temperature over the last deglaciation based on bacterial branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) analyzed from the sediment sequence of Lake Kielguo, a small volcanic lake in NE China. The results show that summer temperature was lowest during the interval ca. 20–18.2 calibrated (cal.) k.y. B.P. with a value of ~11.1 °C and increased by ~1.9 °C during Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1) and by ~2.7 °C during the transition to the Bølling-Allerød (B-A). The summer temperatures during the B-A warm interval and Younger Dryas cold interval were ~14.1 °C and ~12.0 °C, respectively. The summer temperature record from the Lake Kielguo sediment sequence indicates that summer warming dominated the climate change state during HS1 in East Asia, which is different from the cooling pattern controlled by winter temperatures in the North Atlantic and Greenland realms. This distinction can be explained by weakened winter cooling signals triggered by the collapse of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation when these signals propagated to East Asia, and increased summer temperature warming controlled by orbital and greenhouse gases during HS1 in East Asia.
Reproducibility of consecutive automated telemetric noctodiurnal IOP profiles as determined by an intraocular implant
Authors: van den Bosch Jacqueline J O N , Pennisi Vincenzo , Rao Harsha Laxmana , Mansouri Kaweh , Weinreb Robert , Thieme Hagen , Hoffmann Michael B , Choritz Lars
Published: February 2024

Background

Intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring in glaucoma management is evolving with novel devices. We investigated the reproducibility of 24 hour profiles on two consecutive days and after 30 days of self-measurements via telemetric IOP monitoring.

Methods

Seven primary patients with open-angle glaucoma previously implanted with a telemetric IOP sensor in one eye underwent automatic measurements throughout 24 hours on two consecutive days (‘day 1’ and ‘day 2’). Patients wore an antenna adjacent to the study eye connected to a reader device to record IOP every 5 min. Also, self-measurements in six of seven patients were collected for a period of 30 days. Analysis included calculation of hourly averages to correlate time-pairs of day 1 versus day 2 and the self-measurements vers day 2.

Results

The number of IOP measurements per patient ranged between 151 and 268 on day 1, 175 and 268 on day 2 and 19 and 1236 during 30 days of self-measurements. IOP time-pairs of automatic measurements on day 1 and day 2 were significantly correlated at the group level (R=0.83, p<0.001) and in four individual patients (1, 2, 6 and 7). IOP time-pairs of self-measurements and day 2 were significantly correlated at the group level (R=0.4, p<0.001) and in four individual patients (2, 5, 6 and 7).

Conclusions

Twenty-four hour automatic measurements of IOP are correlated on consecutive days and, though to a lesser degree, with self-measurements. Therefore a virtual 24-hour IOP curve might be constructed from self-measurements. Both options provide an alternative to frequent in-office IOP measurements.
Moving from ethnic exclusions to cultural safety: how is athlete ethnicity discussed in research on menstrual health in sports? A scoping review
Authors: Gibbons Agatha Elizabeth , Pedlar Charles , Varner Hemi Keakaokawai , Bruinvels Georgie , Hamilton Bruce , Thorpe Holly
Published: February 2024

Objective

This study aims to investigate how athlete ethnicity is discussed in the inclusion and exclusion criteria, methodology, findings, and conclusions of research focused on menstrual health in sports science and medicine.

Design

A scoping review of sports-based research conducted on athletes related to (1) menstrual health and ethnicity, (2) how researchers include/exclude participants based on ethnicity and (3) how ethnicity is discussed.

Data sources

Electronic search of PubMed and ProQuest.

Eligibility criteria

Articles were included if they met the following criteria: (1) published before September 2023, (2) published in peer-reviewed journals, (3) participants were women athletes, (4) published in English and (5) relating to menstrual health. Articles were assessed as good, fair or poor quality using the Inclusion of Participant Ethnicity Quality Assessment Criteria.

Results

From the 1089 studies available from the initial database search, 55 studies considered ethnicity. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were assessed as either good (22%), fair (44%) or poor (33%) in quality in their consideration of athlete ethnicity. 81% of research articles on menstrual health in sports do not consider athlete ethnicity, and when ethnicity is discussed, it rarely meets the criteria for cultural safety in the research process. Most studies did not factor ethnicity into the analysis and lacked cultural considerations in the research design and interventions.

Conclusion

More careful inclusion of ethnicity in sports menstrual health-related research and recognition of social and cultural influences on health and research outcomes for indigenous and other ethnic minority groups is needed. Such research is required to support coaches, medical personnel and support staff in designing culturally safe environments for sportswomen from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Management of chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Hines O Joe , Pandol Stephen J
Published: February 2024

Chronic pancreatitis results from repeated episodes of pancreatic inflammation and associated fibrosis leading to the loss of functional exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function. The disease is manifested by abdominal pain, deterioration in quality of life, food maldigestion and malabsorption, diabetes, and an increased risk for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This review summarizes the latest evidence on the diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis and its manifestations. In particular, this review discusses advances in understanding of the role of genetic disorders in the mechanisms of the disease and surgical options for patients refractory to medical therapy. Furthermore, clinical trials are under way to develop medical therapeutics.
Can we develop consensus on long-term follow-up and surveillance of primary shoulder arthroplasty? A study protocol using a real-time Delphi technique among expert clinicians in the UK
Authors: Morris Daniel , Bateman Marcus , Rangan Amar , Watts Adam , Tambe Amol
Published: February 2024

Background

Shoulder arthroplasty incidence is projected to continue its exponential growth and the resultant burden of monitoring patients with shoulder arthroplasty implants creates significant pressure on orthopaedic services. Surveillance offers the opportunity to study implant longevity, detect failing implants and potentially perform revision at lower morbidity and cost. There is a paucity of evidence to support recommendations on long-term follow-up in shoulder arthroplasty. Prospective studies comparing long-term follow-up and structure are impractical from time, resource and cost perspectives. A real-time Delphi technique represents a mechanism by which experts involved in long-term follow-up of primary shoulder arthroplasty can formulate recommendations via a transparent, reproducible and efficient process. We outline the protocol for a real-time Delphi study seeking consensus on long-term follow-up and surveillance of primary shoulder arthroplasty .

Methods

A real-time Delphi technique will be used. A planning committee will design the Delphi statements. A steering committee will supervise and monitor the real-time Delphi process. Participants will be asked to rate their agreement with statements using a 5-point Likert scale. The Delphi statements will be derived from review of published literature, and the strength of evidence available for each statement will be provided. We will offer participation to all surgeons and extended-scope practitioners who are current members of the British Elbow & Shoulder Society (BESS) and have clinical practice involving shoulder arthroplasty follow-up. The questionnaire will be active for 4 weeks and requires a minimum of 20 participants. Consensus agreement is defined as 70% of participants selecting at least a 4-point on a 5-point Likert scale.

Discussion

We anticipate the outlined study will achieve consensus on long-term follow-up and surveillance of primary shoulder arthroplasty. We intend to use the expert consensus recommendations achieved, in addition to the limited applicable published evidence available, to produce BESS-affiliated guidelines on long-term follow-up and surveillance of primary shoulder arthroplasty.

Ethics

Ethical approval is not required for the real-time Delphi study.

We expect the results of this initiative will be published in a peer-reviewed, high-impact journal.
Queering the genome: ethical challenges of epigenome editing in same-sex reproduction
Authors: Villalba Adrian
Published: February 2024

In this article, I explore the ethical dimensions of same-sex reproduction achieved through epigenome editing—an innovative and transformative technique. For the first time, I analyse the potential normativity of this disruptive approach for reproductive purposes, focusing on its implications for lesbian couples seeking genetically related offspring. Epigenome editing offers a compelling solution to the complex ethical challenges posed by traditional gene editing, as it sidesteps genome modifications and potential long-term genetic consequences. The focus of this article is to systematically analyse the bioethical issues related to the use of epigenome editing for same-sex reproduction. I critically assess the ethical acceptability of epigenome editing with reproductive purposes from multiple angles, considering harm perspectives, the comparison of ethical issues related to gene and epigenome editing, and feminist theories. This analysis reveals that epigenome editing emerges as an ethically acceptable means for lesbian couples to have genetically related children. Moreover, the experiments of a reproductive use of epigenome editing discussed in this article transcend bioethics, shedding light on the broader societal implications of same-sex reproduction. It challenges established notions of biological reproduction and prompts a reevaluation of how we define the human embryo, while poses some issues in the context of gender self-identification and family structures. In a world that increasingly values inclusivity and diversity, this article aims to reveal a progressive pathway for reproductive medicine and bioethics, as well as underscores the need for further philosophical research in this emerging and fertile domain.
‘Empathy counterbalancing’ to mitigate the ‘identified victim effect’? Ethical reflections on cognitive debiasing strategies to increase support for healthcare priority setting
Authors: Smids Jilles , Bomhof Charlotte H C , Bunnik Eline Maria
Published: February 2024

Priority setting is inevitable to control expenditure on expensive medicines, but citizen support is often hampered by the workings of the ‘identified victim effect’, that is, the greater willingness to spend resources helping identified victims than helping statistical victims. In this paper we explore a possible cognitive debiasing strategy that is being employed in discussions on healthcare priority setting, which we call ‘empathy counterbalancing’ (EC). EC is the strategy of directing attention to, and eliciting empathy for, those who might be harmed as a result of one-sided empathy for the very ill who needs expensive treatment. We argue that governments have good reasons to attempt EC because the identified victim effect distorts priority setting in ways that undermine procedural fairness. We briefly outline three areas of application for EC and suggest some possible mechanisms that might explain how EC might work, if at all. We then discuss four potential ethical concerns with EC. First, EC might have the counterproductive effect of reducing overall citizen support for public funding of expensive medical treatments, thereby undermining solidarity. Second, EC may give rise to a ‘competition in suffering’, which may have unintended side effects for patients who feature in attempts at EC. Third, there may be doubts about whether EC is effective. Fourth, it may be objected that EC comes down to emotional manipulation, which governments should avoid. We conclude that insofar these concerns are valid they may be adequately addressed, and that EC seems a promising strategy that merits further investigation.
Protamines and the sperm nuclear basic proteins Pandora’s Box of insects
Authors: Leyden Melissa R. , Gowen Brent , Gonzalez-Romero Rodrigo , Eirin-Lopez Jose Maria , Kim Bo-Hyun , Hayashi Fumio , McCartney Jay , Zhang Patrick C. , Kubo-Irie Miyoko , Shabanowitz Jeffrey , Hunt Donald F. , Ferree Patrick , Kasinsky Harold , Ausió Juan
Published: February 2024

Insects are the largest group of animals when it comes to the number and diversity of species. Yet, with the exception of Drosophila, no information is currently available on the primary structure of their sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs). This paper represents the first attempt in this regard and provides information about six species of Neoptera: Poecillimon thessalicus, Graptosaltria nigrofuscata, Apis mellifera, Nasonia vitripennis, Parachauliodes continentalis, and Tribolium castaneum. The SNBPs of these species were characterized by acetic acid urea gel electrophoresis (AU-PAGE) and high-performance liquid chromatography fractionated. Protein sequencing was obtained using a combination of mass spectrometry sequencing, Edman N-terminal degradation sequencing and genome mining. While the SNBPs of several of these species exhibit a canonical arginine-rich protamine nature, a few of them exhibit a protamine-like composition. They appear to be the products of extensive cleavage processing from a precursor protein which are sometimes further processed by other post-translational modifications that are likely involved in the chromatin transitions observed during spermiogenesis in these organisms.
Heavy quarks in polarised deep-inelastic scattering at the electron-ion collider
Authors: Hekhorn Felix , Magni Giacomo , Nocera Emanuele R. , Rabemananjara Tanjona R. , Rojo Juan , Schaus Adrianne , Stegeman Roy
Published: February 2024

We extend the FONLL general-mass variable-flavour-number scheme to the case of longitudinally polarised DIS structure functions, accounting for perturbative corrections up to $$\mathcal {O}\left( \alpha _s^2\right) $$

O

α
s
2

. We quantify the impact of charm quark mass and higher-order perturbative corrections on projected measurements of inclusive and charm-tagged longitudinal asymmetries at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) and at the Electron-ion collider in China (EicC). We demonstrate how the inclusion of these corrections is essential to compute predictions with an accuracy that matches the projected precision of the measurements. The computation is made publicly available through the open-source EKO and YADISM programs.
Compiling Granular Population Data Using Geospatial Information
Authors: FENZ KATHARINA , MITTERLING THOMAS , MARTINEZ ARTURO M. , BULAN JOSEPH ALBERT NINO M. , DURANTE RON LESTER S. , MARTILLAN MARYMELL A. , ADDAWE MILDRED B. , ROITNER-FRANSECKY ISABELL
Published: February 2024

Detailed data on the distribution of human populations are valuable inputs to research and decision making. This study aims at compiling data on population density that are more granular than government-published estimates and assessing different methods and model specifications. As a first step, we combine government-published data with publicly available data like land cover classes, elevation, slope, and nighttime lights, and then apply a random forest approach to estimate population density in the Philippines and Thailand at the 100 meter (m) by 100[Formula: see text]m level. Second, we use different specifications of random forest and Bayesian model averaging (BMA) techniques to forecast grid-level population density and evaluate their predictive power. The use of a random forest model showed that reasonable forecasts of grid-level population growth rates are achievable. The results of this study contribute to the assessment of methods like random forest and BMA in forecasting population distributions.
Nonlinear dynamics of soliton molecules, hybrid interactions and other wave solutions for the (3+1)-dimensional generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili–Boussinesq equation
Authors: Wang Kang-Jia , Wang Guo-Dong , Shi Feng
Published: February 2024

This work plumbs the nonlinear dynamics of the ([Formula: see text])-dimensional generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili–Boussinesq equation (gKPBe), which is used to describe some interesting physical phenomena in the fields of fluids. The resonance conditions of the soliton molecules on the ([Formula: see text]), ([Formula: see text]) and ([Formula: see text]) planes are investigated and the soliton molecules are obtained on the basis of the N-soliton solutions that are extracted by virtue of the Hirota form. Furthermore, some novel hybrid interactions including the interaction between the soliton and soliton molecule, the interaction between the different soliton molecules are also explored. Finally, the sub-equation approach is exerted to explore the various wave solutions, which include the kinky wave, bright-dark wave and the singular periodic wave solutions. Correspondingly, the graphical descriptions of the attained solutions are drawn to present a better understanding of the physical attributes. The derived solutions can enlarge the exact solutions of the ([Formula: see text])-dimensional gKPBe and lead us to understand the nonlinear dynamic behaviors better.
Dynamic DEA with Common Weights: A Case Study of Iranian Airlines
Authors: Yekta Azam Pourhabib , Noveiri Monireh Jahani Sayyad , Maghbouli Mahnaz , Edalatpanah Seyyed Ahmad
Published: February 2024

The traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models allow each decision-making unit (DMU) to designate the most advantageous weights to maximize its relative efficiency score. Furthermore, for evaluating the performance of DMUs with consecutive processes during specified periods, dynamic data envelopment analysis (DDEA) has received considerable attention from researchers. Considering the dynamic effects, this paper develops a novel dynamic DEA approach based on the analysis of weight restrictions to achieve a common set of weights in dynamic structures. Essentially, the contribution of this research is fourfold: (1) Generating strictly positive weights. (2) Evaluating overall and periodic efficiencies simultaneously. (3) Preventing weight dissimilarity using the proposed Model. (4) Simplifying the comparison and ranking of each unit in a dynamic network nature. To elucidate the details of the proposed approach, the real data set of fourteen Iranian airlines is used to analyze their dynamic performance levels during the period 2018–2020. The results highlight that Iran Air Tour has had the best total efficiency in the years under evaluation. The findings further demonstrate the superiority and applicability of the proposed method in analyzing the dynamic structures with the carryover flows that link the consecutive periods.
Spatial sensitivity to absorption changes for various near-infrared spectroscopy methods: A compendium review
Authors: Blaney Giles , Sassaroli Angelo , Fantini Sergio
Published: February 2024

This compendium review focuses on the spatial distribution of sensitivity to localized absorption changes in optically diffuse media, particularly for measurements relevant to near-infrared spectroscopy. The three temporal domains, continuous wave, frequency domain, and time domain, each obtain different optical data types whose changes may be related to effective homogeneous changes in the absorption coefficient. Sensitivity is the relationship between a localized perturbation and the recovered effective homogeneous absorption change. Therefore, spatial sensitivity maps representing the perturbation location can be generated for the numerous optical data types in the three temporal domains. The review first presents a history of the past 30 years of work investigating this sensitivity in optically diffuse media. These works are experimental and theoretical, presenting one-, two-, and three-dimensional sensitivity maps for different Near-Infrared Spectroscopy methods, domains, and data types. Following this history, we present a compendium of sensitivity maps organized by temporal domain and then data type. This compendium provides a valuable tool to compare the spatial sensitivity of various measurement methods and parameters in one document. Methods for one to generate these maps are provided in Appendix  A , including the code. This historical review and comprehensive sensitivity map compendium provides a single source researchers may use to visualize, investigate, compare, and generate sensitivity to localized absorption change maps.
Full View Maximum Coverage of Camera Sensors: Moving Object Monitoring
Authors: Du Hongwei , Su Jingfang , Zhang Zhao , Duan Zhenhua , Tian Cong , Du Ding-Zhu
Published: February 2024

The study focuses on achieving full view coverage in a camera sensor network to effectively monitor moving objects from multiple perspectives. Three key issues are addressed: camera direction selection, location selection, and moving object monitoring. There are three steps to maximize coverage of moving targets. The first step involves proposing the Maximum Group Set Coverage (MGSC) algorithm, which selects the camera sensor direction for traditional target coverage. In the second step, a composed target merged from a set of fixed directional targets represents multiple views of a moving object. Building upon the MGSC algorithm, the Maximum Group Set Coverage with Composed Targets (MGSC-CT) algorithm is presented to determine camera sensor directions that cover subsets of fixed directional targets. Additionally, a constraint on the number of cameras is imposed for camera location selection, leading to the study of the Maximum Group Set Coverage with Size Constraint (MGSC-SC) algorithm. Each of these steps formulates a problem on group set coverage and provides an algorithmic solution. Furthermore, improved versions of MGSC-CT and MGSC-SC are developed to enhance the coverage speed. Computer simulations are employed to demonstrate the significant performance of the algorithms.
Financial Sentiment Analysis: Techniques and Applications
Authors: Du Kelvin , Xing Frank , Mao Rui , Cambria Erik
Published: February 2024

Financial Sentiment Analysis (FSA) is an important domain application of sentiment analysis that has gained increasing attention in the past decade. FSA research falls into two main streams. The
first stream
focuses on defining tasks and developing techniques for FSA, and its main objective is to improve the performances of various FSA tasks by advancing methods and using/curating human-annotated datasets. The
second stream
of research focuses on using financial sentiment, implicitly or explicitly, for downstream applications on financial markets, which has received more research efforts. The main objective is to discover appropriate market applications for existing techniques. More specifically, the application of FSA mainly includes hypothesis testing and predictive modeling in financial markets. This survey conducts a comprehensive review of FSA research in both the technique and application areas and proposes several frameworks to help understand the two areas’ interactive relationship. This article defines a clearer scope for FSA studies and conceptualizes the FSA-investor sentiment-market sentiment relationship. Major findings, challenges, and future research directions for both FSA techniques and applications have also been summarized and discussed.
Scene Graph Lossless Compression with Adaptive Prediction for Objects and Relations
Authors: Lin Weiyao , Zhang Yufeng , Dai Wenrui , Liu Huabin , See John , Xiong Hongkai
Published: February 2024

The scene graph is a novel data structure describing objects and their pairwise relationship within image scenes. As the size of scene graphs in vision and multimedia applications increases, the need for lossless storage and transmission of such data becomes more critical. However, the compression of scene graphs is less studied because of the complicated data structures involved and complex distributions. Existing solutions usually involve general-purpose compressors or graph structure compression methods, which are weak at reducing the redundancy in scene graph data. This article introduces a novel lossless compression framework with adaptive predictors for the joint compression of objects and relations in scene graph data. The proposed framework comprises a unified prior extractor and specialized element predictors to adapt to different data elements. Furthermore, to exploit the context information within and between graph elements, Graph Context Convolution is proposed to support different graph context modeling schemes for different graph elements. Finally, an overarching framework incorporates the learned distribution model to predict numerical data under complicated conditional constraints. Experiments conducted on labeled or generated scene graphs demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework for scene graph lossless compression.
RE Methods for Virtual Reality Software Product Development: A Mapping Study
Authors: Karre Sai Anirudh , Reddy Y. Raghu , Mittal Raghav
Published: February 2024

Software practitioners use various methods in Requirements Engineering (RE) to elicit, analyze, and specify the requirements of enterprise products. The methods impact the final product characteristics and influence product delivery. Ad-hoc usage of the methods by software practitioners can lead to inconsistency and ambiguity in the product. With the notable rise in enterprise products, games, and so forth across various domains, Virtual Reality (VR) has become an essential technology for the future. The methods adopted for RE for developing VR products requires a detailed study. This article presents a mapping study on RE methods prescribed and used for developing VR applications including requirements elicitation, requirements analysis, and requirements specification. Our study provides insights into the use of such methods in the VR community and suggests using specific RE methods in various fields of interest. We also discuss future directions in RE for VR products.
Communication—The Impact of Lattice Stress on the Layered to Spinel Transformation of Li-Ion Battery Cathode Chemistries
Authors: Macaulay Bud , Kramer Denis
Published: February 2024

The layered-to-spinel transformation of transition metal oxides is a major degradation mode in Li-Ion batteries LiMO2 (M=Co, Ni and Mn). Transformation pathways for partially delithiated metal oxides have been investigated under lattice stress using the nudged elastic band method within density functional theory. We find that the relative stabilities and energy barriers of all steps along this pathway are significantly affected by local lattice strain, with high tensile strain destablising the undesired “Li-Mn” dumbbell structure, a recurring thorn in LiMnO2 batteries. This yields insight into inhibiting degradation processes for layered Mn cathodes.
Characterization by NMR Spectroscopy of the SEI Layer Formed on Ti3C2 MXene Materials Prepared with Various Terminations
Authors: Sunny Sanjay , Coppel Yannick , Taberna Pierre Louis , Simon Patrice
Published: February 2024

The nature and content of surface terminations are one of the key factors that define the electrochemical signature of the widely studied MXene materials. In this paper, the surface termination of molten salt synthesized Ti3C2Tx MXene with -O and -Cl terminations (T=Cl,O) are studied for the first time using solid state NMR technique, with respect to conventional HF synthesized Ti3C2Tx (T=F, O, OH). Both materials have been further used as negative electrode of Li-ion battery. The evolution of surface terminations during the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer formation was studied from the SEI components formed in both MXenes. Analysis of the NMR signal provided insights into the porous nature of SEI with LiF as main component in HF terminated MXenes. While a thick uniform formation of the SEI was observed for the molten salt synthesized Ti3C2Tx (T=Cl,O) with Li2CO3 as dominant component.
Impact of Processing Methodology on the Performance of Hybrid Sulfide-Polymer Solid State Electrolytes for Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Mirmira Priyadarshini , Fuschi Claire , Umlauf Zoe , Ma Peiyuan , Doyle Emily S. , Vu Minh Canh , Amanchukwu Chibueze V.
Published: February 2024

Hybrid sulfide-polymer composite electrolytes are promising candidates to enable lithium metal batteries because of their high ionic conductivity and flexibility. These composite materials are primarily prepared through solution casting methods to obtain a homogenous distribution of polymer within the inorganic. However, little is known about the influence of the morphology of the polymer and the inorganic on the ionic conductivity and electrochemical behavior of these hybrid systems. In this study, we assess the impact of processing methodology, either solution processing or solvent-free ball milling, on overall performance of hybrid electrolytes containing amorphous Li3PS4 (LPS) and non-reactive polyethylene (PE). We demonstrate that using even non-polar, non-reactive solvents can alter the LPS crystalline structure, leading to a lower ionic conductivity. Additionally, we show that ball milling leads to a non-homogenous distribution of polymer within the inorganic, which leads to a higher ionic conductivity than samples processed via solution casting. Our work demonstrates that the morphology of the polymer and the sulfide plays a key role in the ionic conductivity and subsequent electrochemical stability of these hybrid electrolytes.
Preventing Thermal Runaway Propagation in Lithium-ion Batteries using a Passive Liquid Housing
Authors: Lee Seungmin , Kwon Minseo , Kim Youngsik
Published: February 2024

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), due to their high energy density, long lifespan, and low self-discharge, are widely used in various applications. However, they are challenged by the risk of thermal runaway and thermal degradation, so they require effective thermal management system. In this study, we investigated the application of a water-inclusive housing structure to battery modules to prevent thermal runaway propagation and enhance thermal management. The thermal and electrochemical behaviors of the batteries were analyzed using the ANSYS Fluent simulator. Through simulations, we determined the optimal cell spacing of the water-housing module that maximizes energy density while ensuring thermal stability. Our results indicate that a water housing module composed of 20 cylindrical cells(10s2p) with a cell spacing of 4 mm can effectively prevent thermal runaway propagation and reduce cell temperature by approximately 60% during normal discharge, while maintaining 80% of the volumetric energy density of a conventional module. Furthermore, the reliability of our simulation results was validated through thermal runaway and normal discharge tests. The proposed water housing method holds great promise in preventing thermal runaway propagation and enhancing thermal stability of LIB modules, thereby mitigating the risk of fire and thermal degradation during normal discharge.
Cannabidiol protects C2C12 myotubes against cisplatin-induced atrophy by regulating oxidative stress
Authors: Le Bacquer Olivier , Sanchez Phelipe , Patrac Véronique , Rivoirard César , Saroul Nicolas , Giraudet Christophe , Kocer Ayhan , Walrand Stéphane
Published: February 2024

In an in vitro model, cisplatin treatment led to myotube atrophy associated with dysregulation of protein homeostasis and increased oxidative stress, resulting in increased apoptosis. Cotreatment with cannabidiol was able to prevent this phenotype by promoting protein homeostasis and reducing oxidative stress.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced hypertension: the impact of sex hormones
Authors: Appiah Cephas B. , Gardner Jennifer J. , Farmer George E. , Cunningham Rebecca L. , Cunningham J. Thomas
Published: February 2024

Obstructive sleep apnea, a common form of sleep-disordered breathing, is characterized by intermittent cessations of breathing that reduce blood oxygen levels and contribute to the development of hypertension. Hypertension is a major complication of obstructive sleep apnea that elevates the risk of end-organ damage. Premenopausal women have a lower prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease than men and postmenopausal women, suggesting that sex hormones play a role in the pathophysiology of sleep apnea-related hypertension. The lack of protection in men and postmenopausal women implicates estrogen and progesterone as protective agents but testosterone as a permissive agent in sleep apnea-induced hypertension. A better understanding of how sex hormones contribute to the pathophysiology of sleep apnea-induced hypertension is important for future research and possible hormone-based interventions. The effect of sex on the pathophysiology of sleep apnea and associated intermittent hypoxia-induced hypertension is of important consideration in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease and its cardiovascular complications. This review summarizes our current understanding of the impact of sex hormones on blood pressure regulation in sleep apnea with a focus on sex differences.
The genetic regulation of the gastric transcriptome is associated with metabolic and obesity-related traits and diseases
Authors: Koebbe Laura L. , Hess Timo , Giel Ann-Sophie , Bigge Jessica , Gehlen Jan , Schueller Vitalia , Geppert Michael , Dumoulin Franz Ludwig , Heller Joerg , Schepke Michael , Plaßmann Dominik , Vieth Michael , Venerito Marino , Schumacher Johannes , Maj Carlo
Published: February 2024

We analyzed the transcriptomes and genetic regulatory profiles of gastric corpus and for the first time also of antrum mucosa in 431 healthy individuals. Through tissue-specific gene expression and eQTL analyses, we uncovered unique and common physiological processes across both primary gastric sites. Notably, our findings reveal that stomach-specific eQTLs are enriched in loci associated with metabolic traits and diseases, highlighting the pivotal role of gene expression regulation in gastric physiology and potential pathophysiology.