bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wafer‐Scale Atomic Assembly for 2D Multinary Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Visible and NIR Photodetection
Authors: Jeon Hye Yoon , Song Da Som , Shin RoSa , Kwon Yeong Min , Jo Hyeong‐ku , Lee Do Hyung , Lee Eunji , Jang Moonjeong , So Hee‐Soo , Kang Saewon , Yim Soonmin , Myung Sung , Lee Sun Sook , Yoon Dae Ho , Kim Chang Gyoun , Lim Jongsun , Song Wooseok
Published: April 2024

The tunable properties of 2D transition‐metal dichalcogenide (TMDs) materials are extensively investigated for high‐performance and wavelength‐tunable optoelectronic applications. However, the precise modification of large‐scale systems for practical optoelectronic applications remains a challenge. In this study, a wafer‐scale atomic assembly process to produce 2D multinary (binary, ternary, and quaternary) TMDs for broadband photodetection is demonstrated. The large‐area growth of homogeneous MoS2, Ni0.06Mo0.26S0.68, and Ni0.1Mo0.9S1.79Se0.21 is carried out using a succinct coating of the single‐source precursor and subsequent thermal decomposition combined with thermal evaporation of the chalcogen powder. The optoelectrical properties of the multinary TMDs are dependent on the combination of heteroatoms. The maximum photoresponsivity of the MoS2‐, Ni0.06Mo0.26S0.68‐, and Ni0.1Mo0.9S1.79Se0.21‐based photodetectors is 3.51 × 10−4, 1.48, and 0.9 A W−1 for 532 nm and 0.063, 0.42, and 1.4 A W−1 for 1064 nm, respectively. The devices exhibited excellent photoelectrical properties, which is highly beneficial for visible and near‐infrared (NIR) photodetection.
Interactions Between Alumina Inclusions at the Liquid Iron/Argon Gas Interface: Role of Contact Line Undulation
Authors: Ibraheem Ahmed , Qiu Zilong , Blanpain Bart , Guo Muxing
Published: April 2024

A deep understanding of the behavior of nonmetallic inclusions is essential for steel cleanliness control. The behavior of alumina inclusions at the liquid iron/argon gas interface is investigated using a high‐temperature confocal scanning laser microscope. The obtained images are used to determine the moving velocity of the inclusions on the interface. The obtained experimental data are quantitatively evaluated using the lateral capillary interaction model for multipole orders established by Danov–Kralchevsky while taking into account the resistive drag force. The attraction forces calculated from these data are in the range between ≈10−13 and ≈10−11 N. The best‐fitting model is assigned for each case. The multipole models almost counterbalance the drag force, indicating a good interpretation of the interaction between the inclusions. Moreover, the acting length of this interaction is examined and compared to the previous work on Ce2O3 inclusions. It is found that alumina inclusions generally exhibit a larger acting length at a large critical radius and a smaller acting length at a small critical radius when comparing them to their counterpart cerium oxide inclusions. Considering the particle shapes, high shape irregularity is better interpreted by higher orders of the multipoles.
Moderately Reconstructed Ternary Metal Nitride Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient and Robust Freshwater and Seawater Oxidation under Industrial Current Density
Authors: Wang Shihao , Pan Hongfei , Wang Yadong , Tang Haolin , Zhang Haining
Published: March 2024

Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) electrocatalysts experience rapid performance degradation during oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to severe and irreversible electrochemical reconstruction, impeding their practical application in electrochemical water splitting. To address this issue, ternary metal (Ni, Fe, Cr) nitride nanoparticles on spongy nitrogen‐doped disordered carbon skeleton electrocatalyst (NFCN/C) is synthesized using a novel one‐pot pyrolysis of eutectic mixture method. The ionomer‐free NFCN/C electrode, which undergoes moderate electrochemical reconstruction, demonstrates high OER performance in both alkaline freshwater and seawater solutions, achieving a current density of 250 mA cm−2 with low overpotentials of 349 and 364 mV, respectively. The NFCN/C anode with Pt/C cathode delivers 10 mA cm−2 at a low cell voltage of 1.49 V and exhibits long‐term durability of 450 h at 500 mA cm−2. In situ Raman spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), along with pre‐ and post‐characterizations, elucidate that both high electrocatalytic activity and robustness of NFCN/C for OER stem from the proposed intrinsic strategy integrating physical and electronic structures. This work paves the way for designing highly efficient and robust TMNs electrocatalysts with moderate electrochemical reconstruction for industrial freshwater and seawater electrolysis.
Family Belonging Backpacks: Deepening Equity and Inclusion with Diverse Literature
Authors: Byrne Michele
Published: April 2024

A teacher educator shares how a school community engaged family in parent–child interactive reading experiences around big ideas found in diverse literature to deepen inclusion beyond the classroom.
Oncological outcomes of surgical management for T2N0M0 glottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Jian , Xu Cheng‐Zhi , Zhu Xiao‐Ke , Yang Yue , Zhou Liang , Gong Hong‐Li , Tao Lei
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The research aimed to evaluate the clinical treatment outcomes of T2N0M0 glottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients who underwent laryngectomy.

Methods

Retrospective review of 533 T2N0M0 glottic LSCC patients.

Results

Five‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rate was 90.0%, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 89.1%. No statistically difference was found between the patients who have undergone total laryngectomy (5‐year disease‐free survival[DFS] = 80.7%, and the CSS = 86.7%) and those who have had partial laryngectomy (the 5‐year DFS = 85.3%, and CSS = 91.1%). There was no difference in the CSS and DFS rates between patients with negative margins and those with positive margins following postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) ± chemotherapy (the CSS: 90.8% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.458 and 5‐year DFS: 84.6% vs. 79.5%, p = 0.371). Patients who underwent vertical partial laryngectomy (VPL) had better survival (5‐year OS was 91.9%, and the CSS was 92.8%) than those who underwent cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) or cricohyoidopexy (CHP) (the 5‐year OS = 83.8%, p = 0.022 and CSS = 84.9%, p = 0.038).

Conclusions

Surgery remains the gold standard for treating T2N0M0 glottic LSCC patients because it can achieve satisfactory oncological outcomes. Regarding the systemic conditions, the effect of partial laryngectomy is similar to that of total laryngectomy. Moreover, partial laryngectomy preserves the function of the larynx. VPL may be superior to CHP/CHEP, depending upon the invasiveness of the tumor.
Nose‐to‐brain delivery of nanotherapeutics: Transport mechanisms and applications
Authors: Xu Kunyao , Duan Suqin , Wang Wenjing , Ouyang Qiuhong , Qin Feng , Guo Peilin , Hou Jinghan , He Zhanlong , Wei Wei , Qin Meng
Published: April 2024

The blood–brain barrier presents a key limitation to the administration of therapeutic molecules for the treatment of brain disease. While drugs administered orally or intravenously must cross this barrier to reach brain targets, the unique anatomical structure of the olfactory system provides a route to deliver drugs directly to the brain. Entering the brain via receptor, carrier, and adsorption‐mediated transcytosis in the nasal olfactory and trigeminal regions has the potential to increase drug delivery. In this review, we introduce the physiological and anatomical structures of the nasal cavity, and summarize the possible modes of transport and the relevant receptors and carriers in the nose‐to‐brain pathway. Additionally, we provide examples of nanotherapeutics developed for intranasal drug delivery to the brain. Further development of nanoparticles that can be applied to intranasal delivery systems promises to improve drug efficacy and reduce drug resistance and adverse effects by increasing molecular access to the brain.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease
Introduction
Authors: Wickramasuriya Dilranjan S. , Faghih Rose T.
Published: March 2024

The human body is an intricate network of multiple functioning sub-systems. Many unobserved processes quietly keep running within the body even while we remain largely unconscious of them. For decades, scientists have sought to understand how different physiological systems work and how they can be mathematically modeled. Mathematical models of biological systems provide key scientific insights and also help guide the development of technologies for treating disorders when proper functioning no longer occurs. One of the challenges encountered with physiological systems is that, in a number of instances, the quantities we are interested in are difficult to observe directly or remain completely inaccessible. This could be either because they are located deep within the body or simply because they are more abstract (e.g., emotion). Consider the heart, for instance. The left ventricle pumps out blood through the aorta to the rest of the body. Blood pressure inside the aorta (known as central aortic pressure) has been considered a useful predictor of the future risk of developing cardiovascular disease, perhaps even more useful than the conventional blood pressure measurements taken from the upper arm (McEniery et al. (Eur Heart J 35(26):1719–1725, 2014)). However, measuring blood pressure inside the aorta is difficult. Consequently, researchers have had to rely on developing mathematical models with which to estimate central aortic pressure using other peripheral measurements (e.g., Ghasemi et al. (J Dyn Syst Measur Control 139(6):061003, 2017)). The same could be said regarding the recovery of CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) secretion timings within the hypothalamus—a largely inaccessible structure deep within the brain—using cortisol measurements in the blood based on mathematical relationships (Faghih (System identification of cortisol secretion: Characterizing pulsatile dynamics, Ph.D. dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2014)). Emotions could also be placed in this same category. They are difficult to measure because of their inherently abstract nature. Emotions, however, do cause changes in heart rate, sweating, and blood pressure that can be measured and with which someone’s feelings can be estimated. What we have described so far, in a sense, captures the big picture underlying this book. We have physiological quantities that are difficult to observe directly, we have measurements that are easier to acquire, and we have the ability to build mathematical models to estimate those inaccessible quantities.
State-Space Model with One Binary and Two Continuous Observations
Authors: Wickramasuriya Dilranjan S. , Faghih Rose T.
Published: March 2024

In this chapter, we will consider a more complicated form of the state equation—one that contains both a forgetting factor and an external input. We will also extend the earlier state-space model to the case where we now have one binary observation and two continuous observations. As before, however, we will first consider a scenario motivating the need for such a state-space model.
Percolation Breakdown in Binary and Ternary Monodisperse and Polydisperse Systems of Spherical Particles
Authors: Schneider Johannes Josef , Faggian Alessia , Weyland Mathias Sebastian , Jamieson William David , Li Jin , Matuttis Hans-Georg , Holler Silvia , Casiraghi Federica , Diaz Aitor Patiño , Cebolla Sanahuja Lorena , Hanczyc Martin Michael , Flumini Dandolo , Eggenberger Hotz Peter , Barrow David Anthony , Dimitriou Pantelitsa , Castell Oliver , Füchslin Rudolf Marcel
Published: March 2024

We perform computer simulations of an agglomeration process for monodisperse and polydisperse systems of spherical particles in a cylindrical container, using a simplified stochastic-hydrodynamic model. We consider a ternary system with three particle types A, B, and C, in which only connections of the type $$A-B$$

A
-
B

can be forged, while any other connections with particles of the same type or with C-particles are forbidden, and for comparison a binary system with two particle types A and C, in which only connections of the type $$A-A$$

A
-
A

can be formed. We study the breakdown of the percolation in the agglomeration at the bottom of the cylinder with an increasing fraction of C-particles.
Aktuelle Transfers und Ungleichheit
Authors: Bosshardt Tamara
Published: March 2024

Nachdem im ersten empirischen Kapitel 5 die Ausgangslage auf der Makroebene beschrieben wurde, folgten im zweiten empirischen Kapitel 6 detaillierte Analysen von Geld- und Sachgeschenken sowie Zahlungen zwischen Erwachsenen und ihren Eltern auf der Mikroebene. Der dritte Schritt der soziologischen Erklärung ist nun die Rückführung der Analyse aktueller Transfers auf die Makroebene.
Schlussfolgerungen
Authors: Bosshardt Tamara
Published: March 2024

Soziale Ungleichheiten in der Kindergeneration lassen sich zu einem grossen Teil auf soziale Ungleichheiten in der Elterngeneration zurückführen. Das Badewannenmodell der soziologischen Makro-Mikro-Makro-Erklärung führt diesen makrostrukturellen Zusammenhang auf das beobachtbare Handeln von Akteuren auf der Mikroebene zurück. Die vorliegende Arbeit widmet sich einem der Mechanismen, die zur Reproduktion der Ungleichheiten beitragen; sie analysiert aktuelle finanzielle Transfers zwischen Erwachsenen und ihren Eltern in der Schweiz.
Analytic auxiliary mass flow to compute master integrals in singular kinematics
Authors: Fontana Gaia , Gehrmann Thomas , Schönwald Kay
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The computation of master integrals from their differential equations requires boundary values to be supplied by an independent method. These boundary values are often desired at singular kinematical points. We demonstrate how the auxiliary mass flow technique can be extended to compute the expansion coefficients of master integrals in a singular limit in an analytical manner, thereby providing these boundary conditions. To illustrate the application of the method, we re-compute the phase space integrals relevant to initial-final antenna functions at NNLO, now including higher-order terms in their ϵ-expansion in view of their application in third-order QCD corrections.
End of the world branes from dimensional reduction
Authors: Sugimoto Shigeki , Suzuki Yu-ki
Published: April 2024

Abstract

We consider dimensional reduction of cigar geometries which are obtained by a Wick rotation of black hole solutions. Originally the cigar geometry is smooth around the tip, but after the dimensional reduction along the Euclidean time direction, there appears an end-of-the-world brane (ETW brane). We derive the tension of the brane by two methods: bulk equations of motion and boundary equations of motion.

In particular, for AdS7-soliton ×S4 and AdS4-soliton ×S7 backgrounds in M-theory, we find that the tension of the emerging ETW branes behaves as t(Φ) ~ e−3Φ in the string frame. This indicates the existence of such ETW branes in the strongly coupled regime of type 0A string theory.
Exercise-induced central and peripheral sympathetic activity in a community-based group of epilepsy patients differ from healthy controls
Authors: van den Bongard Franziska , Gowik Julia Kristin , Coenen Jessica , Jakobsmeyer Rasmus , Reinsberger Claus
Published: March 2024

Ictal and interictal activity within the autonomic nervous system is characterized by a sympathetic overshoot in people with epilepsy. This autonomic dysfunction is assumed to be driven by alterations in the central autonomic network. In this study, exercise-induced changes of the interrelation of central and peripheral autonomic activity in patients with epilepsy was assessed. 21 patients with epilepsy (16 seizure-free), and 21 healthy matched controls performed an exhaustive bicycle ergometer test. Immediately before and after the exercise test, resting state electroencephalography measurements (Brain Products GmbH, 128-channel actiCHamp) of 5 min were carried out to investigate functional connectivity assessed by phase locking value in source space for whole brain, central autonomic network and visual network. Additionally, 1-lead ECG (Brain products GmbH) was performed to analyze parasympathetic (root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) of the heart rate variability) and sympathetic activity (electrodermal activity (meanEDA)). MeanEDA increased (p < 0.001) and RMSSD decreased (p < 0.001) from pre to post-exercise in both groups. Correlation coefficients of meanEDA and central autonomic network functional connectivity differed significantly between the groups (p = 0.004) after exercise. Both patients with epilepsy and normal control subjects revealed the expected physiological peripheral autonomic responses to acute exhaustive exercise, but alterations of the correlation between central autonomic and peripheral sympathetic activity may indicate a different sympathetic reactivity after exercise in patients with epilepsy. The clinical relevance of this finding and its modulators (seizures, anti-seizure medication, etc.) still needs to be elucidated.
Exact p-values for global network alignments via combinatorial analysis of shared GO terms
Authors: Hayes Wayne B.
Published: March 2024

Network alignment aims to uncover topologically similar regions in the protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of two or more species under the assumption that topologically similar regions tend to perform similar functions. Although there exist a plethora of both network alignment algorithms and measures of topological similarity, currently no “gold standard” exists for evaluating how well either is able to uncover functionally similar regions. Here we propose a formal, mathematically and statistically rigorous method for evaluating the statistical significance of shared GO terms in a global, 1-to-1 alignment between two PPI networks. Given an alignment in which k aligned protein pairs share a particular GO term g, we use a combinatorial argument to precisely quantify the p-value of that alignment with respect to g compared to a random alignment. The p-value of the alignment with respect to all GO terms, including their inter-relationships, is approximated using the Empirical Brown’s Method. We note that, just as with BLAST’s p-values, this method is not designed to guide an alignment algorithm towards a solution; instead, just as with BLAST, an alignment is guided by a scoring matrix or function; the p-values herein are computed after the fact, providing independent feedback to the user on the biological quality of the alignment that was generated by optimizing the scoring function. Importantly, we demonstrate that among all GO-based measures of network alignments, ours is the only one that correlates with the precision of GO annotation predictions, paving the way for network alignment-based protein function prediction.
Graph neural networks in vision-language image understanding: a survey
Authors: Senior Henry , Slabaugh Gregory , Yuan Shanxin , Rossi Luca
Published: March 2024

2D image understanding is a complex problem within computer vision, but it holds the key to providing human-level scene comprehension. It goes further than identifying the objects in an image, and instead, it attempts to understand the scene. Solutions to this problem form the underpinning of a range of tasks, including image captioning, visual question answering (VQA), and image retrieval. Graphs provide a natural way to represent the relational arrangement between objects in an image, and thus, in recent years graph neural networks (GNNs) have become a standard component of many 2D image understanding pipelines, becoming a core architectural component, especially in the VQA group of tasks. In this survey, we review this rapidly evolving field and we provide a taxonomy of graph types used in 2D image understanding approaches, a comprehensive list of the GNN models used in this domain, and a roadmap of future potential developments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive survey that covers image captioning, visual question answering, and image retrieval techniques that focus on using GNNs as the main part of their architecture.
A novel log odds of positive lymph nodes–based nomogram for predicting overall survival in patients with colorectal signet ring cell carcinoma: a SEER population-based study
Authors: Yu Wenqian , Xu Boqi , Li Peng
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Considering the poor prognosis and high lymph node (LN) involvement rate of colorectal signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC), this study aimed to construct a prognostic nomogram to predict overall survival (OS) with satisfactory accuracy and utility, based on LN status indicators with superior predictability.

Methods

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we obtained cases of colorectal SRCC patients and employed univariate and multivariate Cox analyses to determine independent prognostic factors. Kaplan–Meier curves were utilized to visualize survival differences among these factors. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to assess predictive performances of models incorporating various LN status indicators. A novel nomogram, containing optimal LN status indicators and other prognostic factors, was developed to predict OS, whose discriminatory ability and accuracy were evaluated using calibration curves and decision curve analysis.

Results

A total of 1663 SRCC patients were screened from SEER database. Older patients and those with grades III–IV, tumor sizes > 39 mm, T3/T4 stage, N1/N2 stage, M1 stage, and higher log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) values exhibited poorer prognoses. Age, grade, tumor size, TNM stage, and LODDS were independent prognostic factors. The model containing N stage and LODDS outperformed the one relying solely on N stage as LN status indicator, resulting in a validated nomogram for accurately predicting OS in SRCC patients.

Conclusion

The integration of LODDS, N stage, and other risk factors into a nomogram offered precise OS predictions, enhancing therapeutic decision-making and tailored follow-up management for colorectal SRCC patients.
Acoustic emission applied to stochastic modeling of microdamage in compact bone
Authors: Sánchez-Molina D. , García-Vilana S.
Published: March 2024

Exploring the stochastic intricacies of bone microstructure is a promising way to make progress on the practical issue of bone fracture. This study investigates the fracture of human complete ribs subjected to bending and using acoustic emission (AE) for microfailure detection. As the strain increases, the number of AE signals per unit of time rises until, beyond a certain threshold, an avalanche of signals occurs, indicating the aggregation of numerous microfailures into a macroscopic fracture. Since microfailures appear randomly throughout the bending test, and given the lack of a deterministic law and the random nature of microfailures during the bending test, we opted to develop a stochastic model to account for their occurrence within the irregular and random microstructure of the cortical bone. Notable discoveries encompass the significant correlation between adjusted parameters of the stochastic model and the total number of microfailures with anthropometric variables such as age and body mass index (BMI). The progression of microfailures with strain is significantly more pronounced with age and BMI, as measured by the rate of bone deterioration. In addition, the rate of microfailures is significantly impacted by BMI alone. It is also observed that the average energy of the identified AE events adheres to a precisely defined Pareto distribution for every specimen, with the principal exponent exhibiting a significant correlation with anthropometric variables. From a mathematical standpoint, the model can be described as a double Cox stochastic and explosive (coxplosive process) model. This further provides insight into the reason why the ribs of older individuals are considerably less resilient than those of younger individuals, breaking under a considerably lower maximum strain ($$\varepsilon _{\max }$$

ε
max

).
A comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis of artificial intelligence in language learning: tracing between the years 2017 and 2023
Authors: Rahman Abdur , Raj Antony , Tomy Prajeesh , Hameed Mohamed Sahul
Published: April 2024

The rising pervasiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has led applied linguists to combine it with language teaching and learning processes. In many cases, such implementation has significantly contributed to the field. The retrospective amount of literature dedicated on the use of AI in language learning (LL) is overwhelming. Thus, the objective of this paper is to map the existing literature on Artificial Intelligence in language learning through bibliometric and content analysis. From the Scopus database, we systematically explored, after keyword refinement, the prevailing literature of AI in LL. After excluding irrelevant articles, we conducted our study with 606 documents published between 2017 and 2023 for further investigation. This review reinforces our understanding by identifying and distilling the relationships between the content, the contributions, and the contributors. The findings of the study show a rising pattern of AI in LL. Along with the metrics of performance analysis, through VOSviewer and R studio (Biblioshiny), our findings uncovered the influential authors, institutions, countries, and the most influential documents in the field. Moreover, we identified 7 clusters and potential areas of related research through keyword analysis. In addition to the bibliographic details, this review aims to elucidate the content of the field. NVivo 14 and Atlas AI were used to perform content analysis to categorize and present the type of AI used in language learning, Language learning factors, and its participants.
Determination, expression and characterization of an UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α-1,3-D-mannoside β-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT-I) from the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Thoma Julia , Grabherr Reingard , Staudacher Erika
Published: April 2024

Molluscs are intermediate hosts for several parasites. The recognition processes, required to evade the host’s immune response, depend on carbohydrates. Therefore, the investigation of mollusc glycosylation capacities is of high relevance to understand the interaction of parasites with their host. UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α-1,3-D-mannoside β-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT-I) is the key enzyme for the biosynthesis of hybrid and complex type N-glycans catalysing the transfer of N-acetylglucosamine from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine to the α-1,3 Man antenna of Man5GlcNAc2. Thereby, the enzyme produces a suitable substrate for further enzymes, such as α-mannosidase II, GlcNAc-transferase II, galactosyltransferases or fucosyltransferases. The sequence of GnT- I from the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, was obtained by homology search using the corresponding human enzyme as the template. The obtained gene codes for a 445 amino acids long type II transmembrane glycoprotein and shared typical structural elements with enzymes from other species. The enzyme was expressed in insect cells and purified by immunoprecipitation using protein A/G-plus agarose beads linked to monoclonal His-tag antibodies. GnT-I activity was determined towards the substrates Man5-PA, MM-PA and GnM-PA. The enzyme displayed highest activity at pH 7.0 and 30 °C, using Man5-PA as the substrate. Divalent cations were indispensable for the enzyme, with highest activity at 40 mM Mn2+, while the addition of EDTA or Cu2+ abolished the activity completely. The activity was also reduced by the addition of UDP, UTP or galactose. In this study we present the identification, expression and biochemical characterization of the first molluscan UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α-1,3-D-mannoside β-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I, GnT-I, from the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas.

Graphical abstract

Illustration of GnT-I activity. (a) Transfer of GlcNAc to Man5-PA, creating Man5GlcNAc3-PA. (b) Transfer of GlcNAc to MM-PA, creating MGn-PA. (c) Transfer of GlcNAc to GnM-PA, creating GnGn-PA. Blue squares represent N-acetylglucosamine, green cycles depict mannose. Graphic illustration of N-glycans were created using bioRENDER.
Relationship between preinduction electroencephalogram patterns and propofol sensitivity in adult patients
Authors: Nam Seungpyo , Yoo Seokha , Park Sun-Kyung , Kim Youngwon , Kim Jin-Tae
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To determine the precise induction dose, an objective assessment of individual propofol sensitivity is necessary. This study aimed to investigate whether preinduction electroencephalogram (EEG) data are useful in determining the optimal propofol dose for the induction of general anesthesia in healthy adult patients.

Methods

Seventy healthy adult patients underwent total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), and the effect-site target concentration of propofol was observed to measure each individual’s propofol requirements for loss of responsiveness. We analyzed preinduction EEG data to assess its relationship with propofol requirements and conducted multiple regression analyses considering various patient-related factors.

Results

Patients with higher relative delta power (ρ = 0.47, p < 0.01) and higher absolute delta power (ρ = 0.34, p = 0.01) required a greater amount of propofol for anesthesia induction. In contrast, patients with higher relative beta power (ρ = -0.33, p < 0.01) required less propofol to achieve unresponsiveness. Multiple regression analysis revealed an independent association between relative delta power and propofol requirements.

Conclusion

Preinduction EEG, particularly relative delta power, is associated with propofol requirements during the induction of general anesthesia. The utilization of preinduction EEG data may improve the precision of induction dose selection for individuals.
An Edge Cloud Based Coordination Platform for Multi-user AR Applications
Authors: Sonkoly Balázs , Nagy Bálint György , Dóka János , Kecskés-Solymosi Zsófia , Czentye János , Formanek Bence , Jocha Dávid , Gerő Balázs Péter
Published: April 2024

Augmented Reality (AR) applications can reshape our society enabling novel ways of interactions and immersive experiences in many fields. However, multi-user and collaborative AR applications pose several challenges. The expected user experience requires accurate position and orientation information for each device and precise synchronization of the respective coordinate systems in real-time. Unlike mobile phones or AR glasses running on battery with constrained resource capacity, cloud and edge platforms can provide the computing power for the core functions under the hood. In this paper, we propose a novel edge cloud based platform for multi-user AR applications realizing an essential coordination service among the users. The latency critical, computation intensive Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) function is offloaded from the device to the edge cloud infrastructure. Our solution is built on open-source SLAM libraries and the Robot Operating System (ROS). Our contribution is threefold. First, we propose an extensible, edge cloud based AR architecture. Second, we develop a proof-of-concept prototype supporting multiple devices and building on an AI-based SLAM selection component. Third, a dedicated measurement methodology is described, including energy consumption aspects as well, and the overall performance of the system is evaluated via real experiments.
Deep Self-Supervised Attributed Graph Clustering for Social Network Analysis
Authors: Lu Hu , Hong Haotian , Geng Xia
Published: April 2024

Deep graph clustering is an unsupervised learning task that divides nodes in a graph into disjoint regions with the help of graph auto-encoders. Currently, such methods have several problems, as follows. (1) The deep graph clustering method does not effectively utilize the generated pseudo-labels, resulting in sub-optimal model training results. (2) Each cluster has a different confidence level, which affects the reliability of the pseudo-label. To address these problems, we propose a Deep Self-supervised Attribute Graph Clustering model (DSAGC) to fully leverage the information of the data itself. We divide the proposed model into two parts: an upstream model and a downstream model. In the upstream model, we use the pseudo-label information generated by spectral clustering to form a new high-confidence distribution with which to optimize the model for a higher performance. We also propose a new reliable sample selection mechanism to obtain more reliable samples for downstream tasks. In the downstream model, we only use the reliable samples and the pseudo-label for the semi-supervised classification task without the true label. We compare the proposed method with 17 related methods on four publicly available citation network datasets, and the proposed method generally outperforms most existing methods in three performance metrics. By conducting a large number of ablative experiments, we validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The contributions of executive functions, transcription skills and text-specific skills to text quality in narratives
Authors: Philippek Julie , Kreutz Rebecca Maria , Hennes Ann-Kathrin , Schmidt Barbara Maria , Schabmann Alfred
Published: April 2024

To ensure adequate writing support for children, a profound understanding of the subskills of text quality is essential. Writing theories have already helped to better understand the contribution of different subskills to text quality, but empirical work is often limited to more general low-level transcription skills like handwriting fluency and spelling. Skills that are particularly important for composing a functional text, while theoretically seen as important, are only studied in isolation. This study combines subskills at different hierarchical levels of composition. Executive functions, handwriting fluency and spelling were modeled together with text-specific skills (lexically diverse and appropriate word usage and cohesion), text length and text quality in secondary school students’ narratives. The results showed that executive functions, spelling and handwriting fluency had indirect effects on text quality, mediated by text-specific skills. Furthermore, the text-specific skills accounted for most of the explained variance in text quality over and above text length. Thus, it is clear from this study that, in addition to the frequently reported influence of transcription skills, it is text-specific skills that are most relevant for text quality.
Parsimonious ultrametric Gaussian mixture models
Authors: Cavicchia Carlo , Vichi Maurizio , Zaccaria Giorgia
Published: April 2024

Gaussian mixture models represent a conceptually and mathematically elegant class of models for casting the density of a heterogeneous population where the observed data is collected from a population composed of a finite set of G homogeneous subpopulations with a Gaussian distribution. A limitation of these models is that they suffer from the curse of dimensionality, and the number of parameters becomes easily extremely large in the presence of high-dimensional data. In this paper, we propose a class of parsimonious Gaussian mixture models with constrained extended ultrametric covariance structures that are capable of exploring hierarchical relations among variables. The proposal shows to require a reduced number of parameters to be fit and includes constrained covariance structures across and within components that further reduce the number of parameters of the model.
Ordered Arrays of Ultrafine Au Nanoprisms by Means of Nanosphere Lithography and Ion Hammering Effect
Authors: Zárate-Reyes J. M. , Salinas-Fuentes C. , Kudriavtsev Y. , Cheang-Wong J. C. , Asomoza R.
Published: April 2024

The search for new nanomaterials with precisely customized optical and geometric characteristics is highly suitable for potential applications in nanophotonics and optoelectronics. In this work, ordered arrays of ultrafine Au nanoprisms on silicon substrates were prepared by combining nanosphere lithography with the ion hammering effect. Indeed, the silica particle lithographic masks were previously irradiated with 4 MeV Si+ ions to modify and tune the mask interstice size. An extensive analysis of the samples by SEM and AFM determined the geometrical properties and the narrow average size of the ultrafine Au nanoprisms, exhibiting an area base of 750 nm2, a lateral size as small as 26.2 nm, and a height of 6.3 nm. Moreover, the Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) efficiency of the fabricated ultrafine Au nanoprisms was probed using Rhodamine 6G dye as probe molecules, presenting excellent stability and reaching the sensitivity level of 10−5 M.
Mind the Echo Chamber: Mindfulness as a Contemplative Practice That can Contribute to Public Health
Authors: Galante Julieta , Van Dam Nicholas T.
Published: April 2024

We offer an invited commentary on the article entitled “Mindfulness for Global Public Health: Critical Analysis and Agenda” by Doug Oman. First, we question his proposal that it would be advantageous to include a more diverse set of contemplative practices under the mindfulness umbrella term, and instead we argue for the opposite. We propose that academics move the term mindfulness away from the spotlight, acknowledging the role of popular culture in its constant reshaping, while studying the mechanisms and outcomes of contemplative practices such as mindfulness using better delineated terms from relevant academic disciplines. Second, we argue that a head-to-head comparison between the fields of mindfulness and public health incurs a category error. While mindfulness is often defined by a limited set of specific processes and practices, public health is a field defined by its application, irrespective of the practices or interventions used. Instead, thinking of mindfulness as an aid to public health can bring more clarity and increase the scope and impact of the contributions that the mindfulness field can make to public health. We illustrate how this reframing helps see mindfulness training as a potential individual-level component of multi-level public health interventions to tackle social determinants of health, rather than expect mindfulness training to address this singlehandedly. For this potential to realize fully, we argue that the mindfulness field will need to work “with” rather than “as” public health, moving away from the practitioner-researcher model to a collaborative one, whereby mindfulness intervention developers partner with independent public health researchers for intervention evaluation and implementation purposes. In such a model, using participatory research methods, the public health team should first seek to understand the local community health needs, and assess whether and how mindfulness practitioners may be able to address some of those needs. We are delighted that the field is having these conversations, and hope to advance understanding of the potential of contemplative practices to contribute to public health research and implementation efforts.
Investigation of the cellular and molecular effects of dehydrozingerone formulation on various days of diabetic wound repair
Authors: Begum Farmiza , Nandakumar Krishnadas , Shenoy Rekha Raghuveer
Published: April 2024

Cases of diabetes are significantly increasing year by year, attracting the attention of medical professionals and researchers to focus on diabetes and its underlying complications. One among such are diabetic wounds which are difficult to heal, creating severe implications in the day-to-day chores of not only patients, but also family members. Dehydrozingerone (DHZ) is known to possess various effects like anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. The effect of DHZ on different phases of diabetic wound healing remains untested. Hence, this study was proposed to find out the effect of oral and topical formulation of DHZ on day 5, 10 and 15 of diabetic wound healing. Excisional wounds were created on the dorsal side of animals using punch biopsy to mimic human diabetic wounds. Topical DHZ gel (100 mg in 1 gm of gel) was prepared using 1% Carbopol 934 and was applied twice a day. The treated groups had increased percentage of wound closure; western blotting suggested that DHZ significantly increased ERK and JNK levels and decreased TNF and MMP 2 and 9 levels. From histopathological studies, it was observed that angiogenesis, collagen formation, granulation tissue formation, and fibroblast proliferation were improved on days 5, 10, and 15 of diabetic wound healing. These findings indicate that DHZ (both systemic and topical) are effective during the early phases of wound healing which gets impaired in diabetic wounds. Dehydrozingerone accelerated diabetic wound healing by regulating the various hallmarks of wound healing process.
Effect of Pilates exercises on balance and gross motor coordination in children with Down syndrome
Authors: AL-Nemr Alaa , Reffat Shimaa
Published: April 2024

Objective

To investigate the effect of Pilates exercises on balance and gross motor coordination in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods

Forty children with DS, aged 8 up to 10 years, were randomly divided into two groups; experimental and control groups. A designed physical therapy program was applied for both groups, while the experimental group received an additional Pilates exercise program. Balance and gross motor coordination as primary outcomes and quality of life (QoL) as secondary outcome were assessed using Biodex balance system (BBS), Bruininks Oseretsky of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and Pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL™) sequentially.

Results

Both experimental (Pilates) and control groups demonstrated significant improvements in dynamic balance, gross motor coordination, and QoL after interventions. However, comparison between groups showed significant improvement in favor of the Pilates group in all measured outcomes (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Adding Pilates exercises to the designed physical therapy program could provide more significant improvements in balance, gross motor coordination, and QoL in children with DS.

Trial registration

Clinical Trial gov number Identifier: NCT05928949.
Learning to teach with simulation: historical insights
Authors: Ledger Susan , Mailizar Mailizar , Gregory Sue , Tanti Miriam , Gibson David , Kruse Stacy
Published: April 2024

Simulation-based learning (SBL) has been trialed and embedded in many disciplines and professions over many years to practice complex skills before embarking on real-life applications. Much research has confirmed the benefits of SBL and found simulations are among the most effective means to facilitate the learning of complex skills across domains. Yet, despite this evidence-based support for SBL, teacher education continues to be slow to adopt and embed SBL within their programs. This paper compares literature on two of the longest and widest adopted simulated programs in teacher education,Second LifeandsimSchool—to gain insight into the research types, findings and reasons for limited implementation. The findings support previously confirmed pedagogical benefits of SBL increasing student self-efficacy and reveal commonalities and differences between the two simulated platforms and a lack of adoption of SBL that centres around costs, accessibility and technical issues. The findings are positioned in practice-theory literature and highlight SBL’s ability to provide preservice teachers with a ‘third space’ where theory can be practiced, rehearsed and reviewed virtually before real classroom transference occurs. We offer recommendations that will stimulate future research and support wider adoption of SBL in Initial Teacher Education (ITE).
Closed-form solutions of consistency ratio in best worst method minmax optimization model: max of edge error matrix and minmax edge error determinant methods
Authors: Yuen Kevin Kam Fung
Published: April 2024

The Best Worst Method (BWM), a reduced version of the AHP, is a recent multi-criteria decision-making tool based on pairwise comparisons with reference to the best and worst criteria. Consistency Ratio (CR) measurement for the rating quality and prioritizations is still a controversial topic. Firstly, the computation for the current CR of BWM must rely on a software optimization solver to find the optimal values, and the solver may not always guarantee the exact optimal solutions, especially if the computational cost settings are not large enough for higher number of criteria. Secondly, much effort to evaluate optimization algorithms is needed to find the best solutions with the least computational resources due to diverse solvers possibly leading to different results with different performances. Thirdly, optimization programming code is not trivial to be implemented for general BWM users. To address these issues, this paper presents the closed-form solutions, Max of Edge Error Matrix (MEEM) (Eq. (44) of Theorem 4) and Minmax Edge Error Determinant (MEED) (Algorithm 1), to replace the BWM optimization models to directly calculate the CR values. Two simulations have been performed with a basic laptop using a single process. One simulation of twenty thousand random pairs of vectors took 26.34 h to perform to verify that the approximate results are higher than or very close to the exact closed-form values of both methods when high computational cost is allocated for the solver to increase the precision. Another simulation of one million random pairs of vectors only took 1.27 h to perform to verify that the MEED and MEEM methods always produce the same results for the number of criteria up to nine. The computational time for the exact results is dramatically reduced when the solver is not needed. The advantages of the proposed solutions include the following: the software to solve the optimization model to obtain CR is unnecessary, and the proposed calculation is extremely efficient to obtain the exact accuracy. The two-step optimization model can preserve the fixed Minmax Edge Error to find the weights which add up to one, which is the condition to determine if the model reaches exact optimal solutions. As the CR optimization model produces multiple versions of weights, which are recommended not to be used, the new method does not need to compute the unnecessary weight values to get the Minmax Edge Error. With the provision of equations leading to closed forms, users can understand the properties of CR in much clearer perspectives. Due to the computational efficiency and explainability, the proposed closed forms can replace the CR optimization model to compute CR efficiently and accurately for all diverse applications using BWM.