bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Neural Correlates of Central Auditory Dysfunction in Chronic Tinnitus: A Multimodal Approach
Authors: Nada Nashwa , El‐Tabbakh Amira Roshdy , Elgohary Mai Mohammed , Mandour Alaa Elsayed
Published: July 2024

Objectives

It was aimed at assessing the connection between tinnitus and central auditory dysfunction using both central auditory tests (CATs) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for brain regions that are crucial for central auditory processing.

Methods

This prospective case–control study included 15 patients with persistent tinnitus and 20 healthy volunteers as controls. They underwent CATs for memory, attention, and DTI. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) Questionnaire was applied as well. From several brain regions, the values of mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were determined.

Results

Comparing both groups, the tinnitus group showed statistically worse values as regards the CATs (memory for content, sequence memory, speech perception in noise (SPIN) at different signal‐to‐noise ratios, “SNRs”) compared with the control group. As regards DTI, the tinnitus group showed decreased FA in several brain areas, including the cingulum, prefrontal‐cortex (PFC), insula, and hippocampus. Furthermore, the tinnitus group showed significantly higher MD in the cingulum, BA‐46, and amygdala compared with the control group. FA values of BA‐46 were positively correlated with the SPIN‐SNR−10scores. Also, FA values of the middle cingulum were positively correlated with SPIN‐SNRzeroscores. MD values at BA‐46 were negatively correlated with SPIN‐SNR−10. THI scores were negatively correlated with FA at BA‐46; however, they were positively correlated with MD at the amygdala.

Conclusions

Central auditory dysfunction may be linked to the underlying neurophysiological changes in chronic tinnitus.

Level of Evidence

Level 2Laryngoscope, 2024
Role of land use, green energy, and water resources for food accessibility: Evidence from emerging economies in the lens of COP28
Authors: Amin Waqas , Xie Shouhong , Vasa László , Mentel Urszula
Published: July 2024

In the era of COP28, where most of the developed and developing economies concentrate more on the development of environmentally friendly energy resources to tackle the issue of climate change. Nevertheless, the literature lacks appropriate evidence regarding the influences of green energy and other resources on food security. This study analyses the influences of land use, green energy, and water resources on food accessibility in emerging economies, while also considering the important roles of natural resources, research and development (R&D) expenditure, and economic growth during 1980–2020. Due to non‐linear data dispersion, the novel moments quantile regression is employed. Results assert that land use has a positive significant influence on food accessibility in the presence of water resources and a weaker negative impact in the presence of natural resources. Natural and water resources are detrimental to food accessibility in the Emerging Seven (E7) countries. Furthermore, R&D expenditure and green energy positively (negatively), while economic growth negatively (positively) impacted food accessibility in the presence of natural resources (water resources). The results are robust and validate causal inferences that help develop appropriate policies for emerging economies concerning food accessibility or security. In this rapidly evolving era, most empirical studies consider environmental quality. Conversely, this study contributes to the literature by examining the factors influencing food accessibility, as this issue is of considerable importance because of the rapidly growing global population.
Polyampholytes with Various Charge Distributions: Conformation States via Computer Simulation
Authors: Kitina Polina V. , Glаgoleva Anna A. , Vasilevskaya Valentina V.
Published: July 2024

By means of molecular dynamics computer simulation, the conformational space of polyampholyte macromolecules with various distributions of the charged groups along the chain is studied. A coarse‐grained model where each monomer unit of the chain is presented as a non‐charged group in the backbone of the macromolecule connected with a charged side pendant is considered. A limiting case of fully charged chains in the isoelectric point is investigated. The oppositely charged monomer units are distributed in various patterns: regular alternating, multiblock, or random sequences. It is found that the chains with random unit distribution adopt much more compacted conformations than the chains with regular distributions with comparable block lengths. Calculating the chain size and its fluctuation along with the spatial density distribution, coil, and globular conformations are distinguished and arranged on the diagrams in terms of chain length, block length, and Bjerrum length.
A Sustainable Free‐Standing Triboelectric Nanogenerator Made of Flexible Composite Film for Brake Pattern Recognition in Automobiles
Authors: Kim Nayoon , Hwang Subhin , Panda Swati , Hajra Sugato , Jo Junghun , Song Heewon , Belal Mohamed A , Vivekananthan Venkateswaran , Panigrahi Basanta Kumar , Achary P. Ganga Raju , Kim Hoe Joon
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the automotive industry has made significant progress in integrating multifunctional sensors to improve vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. As the number of integrated sensors keeps increasing, there is a growing interest in alternative energy sources. Specifically, self‐powered sensor systems based on energy harvesting are drawing much attention, with a main focus on sustainability and reducing reliance on typical batteries. This paper demonstrates the use of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) in a computer mouse for efficient energy harvesting and in automobile braking systems for safety applications using SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBTO) perovskite, blended PDMS composite operating in free‐standing mode with an interdigitated patterned aluminum electrode. This self‐powered sensor is capable of distinguishing between normal and abnormal braking patterns using digital signal processing techniques. It is noteworthy that the addition of 15% wt. of the SBTO in PDMS composite‐based TENG delivered 13.5 V, 45 nA, and an output power of 0.98 µW. This new combination of energy harvesting and safety applications enables real‐time monitoring and predictive maintenance in the automotive industry.
Strategic evolution in manufacturer–supplier collaboration: A game‐theoretic exploration of product customization dynamics
Authors: Wu Qiao , Zhang Shuning , Zhang Hongye , Zhang Justin Zuopeng
Published: July 2024

Amid rising demand for personalized products, manufacturers are forming collaborative bonds with suppliers, driven by revenue and cost‐sharing arrangements. This study presents an evolutionary game model examining collaboration nuances and analyzes the impact of customization, revenue, and cost‐sharing ratios. Findings reveal customization's bidirectional effect on collaboration and a distinctive relationship between revenue‐sharing and collaboration probability. Increased cost‐sharing ratios deter manufacturers from collaboration, favoring revenue‐sharing mechanisms to incentivize supplier participation. The study highlights revenue‐sharing's efficacy in promoting collaboration between manufacturers and suppliers to enhance product competitiveness.
An optimal solution for tumor growth model using generalized Bessel polynomials
Authors: Saeidi Hojat , Dahaghin M. Sh. , Mehrabi Samrad , Hassani Hossein
Published: July 2024

In this paper, a mathematical model is given that depicts the interactions between cancer cells and viruses in the setting of oncolytic virotherapy. The model is separated into three classes, namely, concentrations of uninfected tumor cells in the population “
”, free virus “
”, and cancerous cells infected “
”. Applying Caputo fractional derivative, the model is fractionalized, and using generalized Bessel polynomials, an optimal problem is solved utilizing Lagrange multipliers method. The results show that the presented method has high accuracy and is suitable for solving the nonlinear systems based on partial differential equations especially tumors models.
Global solution for semilinear σ‐evolution models with memory term
Authors: Xie Ting , Yang Han
Published: July 2024

In this paper, the initial value problem of the semilinear
‐evolution equations with a memory term is concerned. Firstly, using the energy method in the Fourier space, the decay estimates for the solutions to the corresponding linear problem are established. Additionally, assuming small initial data in suitable time‐weighted Sobolev spaces, the global‐in‐time existence of the solutions to the semilinear issue is proved by contraction mapping. Finally, the decay estimates of solutions are obtained under the additional regularity assumption on the initial data.
Global asymptotical stability and Hopf bifurcation for a three‐species Lotka‐Volterra food web model
Authors: Ma Zhan‐Ping , Han Jin‐Zuo
Published: July 2024

In this article, we consider a delayed three‐species Lotka‐Volterra food web model with diffusion and homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. We proved that the positive constant equilibrium solution is globally asymptotically stable for the system without time delays. By virtue of the sum of time delays as the bifurcation parameter, spatially homogeneous and inhomogeneous Hopf bifurcation at the positive constant equilibrium solution are proved to occur when the delay varied through a sequence of critical values. In addition, we consider the effect of cross‐diffusion on the system in the case that without time delays. By taking cross diffusion coefficients as the bifurcation parameter, our model undergoes inhomogeneous Hopf bifurcation around a positive constant equilibrium solution when the bifurcation parameter is varied through a sequence of critical values. A common feature in the most existing research work is that the bifurcation factor that induces Hopf bifurcation appears in the reaction terms (such as time delay) rather than diffusion terms. Our results demonstrate that the inhomogeneous Hopf bifurcation can be triggered by the effect of cross diffusion factors.
Energy equality of weak solutions of the 2D reduced‐gravity two‐and‐a‐half layer system allowing vacuum
Authors: Ji Xiang , Wu Fan , Gao Yanping
Published: July 2024

The energy conservation problem for the reduced‐gravity two‐and‐a‐half layer model remains a challenging open problem, with several recent contributions addressing various aspects of it. In this paper, we establish sufficient conditions on the regularity of weak solutions that guarantee energy conservation even in the presence of a vacuum. Our theorem corresponds to an improvement of some recent results on this problem and contains some well‐known results as a particular case.
Improvement of MRS at ultra‐high field using a wireless RF array
Authors: Frankini Andrew , Verma Gaurav , Seifert Alan C. , Delman Bradley N. , Subramaniam Varun , Balchandani Priti , Alipour Akbar
Published: July 2024

We aim to assess a straightforward technique to enhance spectral quality in the brain, particularly in the cerebellum, during 7 T MRI scans. This is achieved through a wireless RF array insert designed to mitigate signal dropouts caused by the limited transmit field efficiency in the inferior part of the brain. We recently developed a wireless RF array to improve MRI and 1H‐MRS at 7 T by augmenting signal via inductive coupling between the wireless RF array and the MRI coil. In vivo experiments on a Siemens 7 T whole‐body human scanner with a Nova 1Tx/32Rx head coil quantified the impact of the dorsal cervical array in improving signal in the posterior fossa, including the cerebellum, where the transmit efficiency of the coil is inherently low. The 1H‐MRS experimental protocol consisted of paired acquisition of data sets, both with and without the RF array, using the semi‐LASER and SASSI sequences. The overall results indicate that the localized 1H‐MRS is improved significantly in the presence of the array. Comparison of in vivo 1H‐MRS plots in the presence versus absence of the array demonstrated an average SNR enhancement of a factor of 2.2. LCModel analysis reported reduced Cramér–Rao lower bounds, indicating more confident fits. This wireless RF array can significantly increase detection sensitivity. It may reduce the RF transmission power and data acquisition time for 1H‐MRS and MRI applications, specifically at 7 T, where 1H‐MRS requires a high‐power RF pulse. The array could provide a cost‐effective and efficient solution to improve detection sensitivity for human 1H‐MRS and MRI in the regions with lower transmit efficiency.
Guaranteed cost control for a class of composite hybrid aerial/terrestrial precise manipulator with stochastic switching payloads
Authors: Ding Yihang , Li Bo , Zhu Yimin , Han Chengzhe , Ji Xiaoyu , Jiang Jinqi
Published: July 2024

This article investigates the modeling and attitude control of a class of composite hybrid aerial/terrestrial precise manipulator (Chat‐PM) with stochastic switching payloads when attaching to a vertical surface. The dynamics of the Chat‐PM for aerial locomotion are modeled by transferring the force and moment of the end‐effector to the body based on the recursive Newton–Euler equations. Furthermore, the attitude dynamics of the Chat‐PM under the wall‐attachment condition is obtained by limiting the attitude angle/angular velocity and introducing the friction torque acting on the passive wheels for the first time. Taking into consideration the complexity of the task and the stochastic nature of environmental changes, the payload attached to the end‐effector is modeled as a continuous‐time Markov process with mode‐dependent fixed sojourn time in this study. The proposed guaranteed cost controller results in the Chat‐PM capable of stably attaching to a wall under random switching loads, while guaranteeing the quadratic performance cost with an attainable upper bound. Additionally, a convex‐optimization‐based guaranteed cost controller is proposed to optimize the performance cost in the random switching part. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed guaranteed cost controllers is demonstrated by illustrative examples.
Optimal control of a solar sail
Authors: Herasimenka Alesia , Dell'Elce Lamberto , Caillau Jean‐Baptiste , Pomet Jean‐Baptiste
Published: July 2024

Optimal control of a solar sail orbiting around a fixed center of mass is considered. The sail is modelled as a plane surface with two sides having similar optical properties. The control is assumed to be the attitude of the sail and is represented as an element of the projective plane. Mapping this plane into the three dimensional ambient space to compute the actual force generated by a given attitude results in a generally non‐convex set of admissible control values. A suitable convex relaxation is introduced to study the optimality system associated with maximising the change of the sail orbital parameters in a given direction along one orbit. Existence for both the relaxed and the original problems are deduced. Building on previous works, a refined analysis of the control structure is given, proving rigorously that it contains only switchings, and a global bound of the number of switchings is obtained. In order to compute effective solutions, a multiple shooting approach is retained that is well suited for systems with a sequence of switchings between various control subarcs. Three issues are addressed: initialization of shooting by means a tailored semi‐definite relaxation that takes advantage of good convergence properties of modern convex optimization algorithms; changes in the control structure that are accommodated by coupling shooting with differential continuation; implicit character of the Hamiltonian maximization when using Pontrjagin maximum principle that is taken care of by incorporating the associated equation for the dynamical feedback into the shooting procedure. The method is illustrated on an example from NASA for which the sail inclination is optimally changed over one orbital period.
Investigation of tribological behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene/graphene composite
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Zhu Kaifa , Tang Zhengqiang , Zhou Yefei , Pan Deng
Published: July 2024

In this study, we constructed molecular friction models for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/graphene composites with various defect ratios to represent their different wear stages and simulated their friction processes under different load conditions. The friction and wear mechanisms were revealed by analyzing the variations in their molecular architectures and energies during friction. The results indicate that the friction coefficient decreased with increasing load. When the load was constant, the friction coefficients of the composites containing defections were resemble, indicating that they remained unchanged in the different wear stages. The composite wear continued to increase during friction. However, the wear increment decreased gradually. In addition, by analyzing the changes in MSD, wear can be divided into initial, stable, and accelerated wear stages.

Highlights

Construct PTFE/Gr molecular models to represent their different wear stages.

Simulate the dynamic changes of PTFE/Gr molecular structure during friction.

The influence of PTFE/Gr dynamic structural changes was revealed.

Reveal the normal force variation from an energy perspective.
Differential Abundance of Protein Acylation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Under Exposure to Nitrosative Stress
Authors: Birhanu Alemayehu Godana , Riaz Tahira , Støen Mari , Tønjum Tone
Published: July 2024

Background: Human macrophages generate antimicrobial reactive nitrogen species in response to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Exposure to these redox‐reactive compounds induces stress response in Mtb, which can affect posttranslational modifications (PTM). Methods: Here, we present the global analysis of the PTM acylation of Mtb proteins in response to a sublethal dose of nitrosative stress in the form of nitric oxide (NO) using label free quantification. Results: A total of 6437 acylation events were identified on 1496 Mtb proteins, and O‐acylation accounted for 92.2% of the events identified, while 7.8% were N‐acylation events. About 22% of the sites identified were found to be acylated by more than one acyl‐group. Furthermore, the abundance of each acyl‐group decreased as their molecular weight increased. Quantitative PTM analysis revealed differential abundance of acylation in proteins involved in stress response, iron ion homeostasis, growth, energy metabolism, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) induced by nitrosative stress over time. Conclusions: The results reveal a potential role of Mtb protein acylation in the bacterial stress responses and AMR. To our knowledge, this is the first report on global O‐acylation profile of Mtb in response to NO. This will significantly improve our understanding of the changes in Mtb acylation under nitrosative stress, highly relevant for global health.
Social participation of low‐income older adults in deprived urban neighborhoods in Amsterdam: A study among native Dutch, and Surinamese, Moroccan and Turkish migrants in The Netherlands
Authors: van der Greft Sabine
Published: July 2024

This paper explores differences in social participation among low‐income older migrants and socioeconomically similar native Dutch older adults living in deprived neighborhoods in Amsterdam. It also analyzes experiences of social participation in relation to perceived neighborhood conditions. Analysis of 85 in‐depth interviews reveals that the types of activities that low‐income older adults participate in center around less demanding (collective) rather than more demanding (political and productive) forms of social participation. Differences in social participation were associated with personal characteristics and with neighborhood experiences. The findings articulate the dynamic and complex interaction between the competencies of older adults belonging to different ethnic communities and their diverse preferences and environmental needs. Older migrants living in areas where their own group is dominant enjoyed better access to ethnic services and experienced greater opportunities for social interaction. However, when compared to their native Dutch counterparts, they were more likely to encounter language barriers and to experience specific environmental problems, such as inadequate housing conditions and paid parking.
IgG4‐related pleural disease diagnosed by thoracoscopic pleural biopsy: A case report
Authors: Miyoshi Azusa , Katsura Hideki , Akaba Tomohiro , Kondo Mitsuko , Tagaya Etsuko
Published: July 2024

Here we report a rare case of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)–related pleural disease diagnosed using a thoracoscopic pleural biopsy. A 66‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital with right‐dominant bilateral pleural effusions and gradually worsening dyspnoea. Chest radiographs revealed right‐dominant pleural effusions, while chest computed tomography showed bilateral pleural effusions without parenchymal lesions. Although the bilateral pleural effusions were exudative with an increased number of lymphocytes, the definitive diagnosis was initially elusive. High IgG4 levels in the serum and pleural effusions were observed. A pathological evaluation of a right pleural biopsy specimen collected via video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery showed fibrosis‐associated lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, 45–60 IgG4‐positive plasma cells per high‐power field, and an IgG4/immunoglobulin G ratio of 40%. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with IgG4‐related pleural disease. The bilateral pleural effusions improved after corticosteroid therapy.
Squeeze‐and‐excitation attention residual learning of propulsion fault features for diagnosing autonomous underwater vehicles
Authors: Du Wenliao , Yu Xinlong , Guo Zhen , Wang Hongchao , Pu Ziqiang , Li Chuan
Published: July 2024

Given the demanding and unpredictable operational conditions, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) often encounter different propulsion faults, leading to significant economic losses and mission impairments. To address this challenge, vibratory time‐series features can be extracted for the precise propulsion fault diagnosis of AUVs. A squeeze‐and‐excitation (SE) attention residual network (SEResNet) is therefore put forward to enhance the feature extraction for AUV propulsion fault diagnosis. By leveraging the vibratory time‐series data obtained from the AUV, an SE attention mechanism is embedded into a residual network. This integration facilitates the extraction of pertinent vibratory fault features, subsequently utilized for accurate diagnosis of any propulsion faults. The effectiveness of the proposed SEResNet was validated through its application to an actual experimental AUV, with comparison against the state‐of‐the‐arts. The results reveal that the present SEResNet outperforms all other comparison methods in terms of diagnosis performance for AUV propulsion faults.
Low‐Cost Self‐Reconstructed High Entropy Oxide as an Ultra‐Durable OER Electrocatalyst for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer
Authors: Karthikeyan S.C. , Ramakrishnan Shanmugam , Prabhakaran Sampath , Subramaniam Mohan Raj , Mamlouk Mohamed , Kim Do Hwan , Yoo Dong Jin
Published: July 2024

Future energy loss can be minimized to a greater extent via developing highly active electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrolyzers. Incorporating an innovative design like high entropy oxides, dealloying, structural reconstruction, in situ activation can potentially reduce the energy barriers between practical and theoretical potentials. Here, a Fd‐3m spinel group high entropy oxide is developed via a simple solvothermal and calcination approach. The developed (FeCoMnZnMg)3O4 electrocatalyst shows a near equimolar distribution of all the metal elements resulting in higher entropy (ΔS ≈1.61R) and higher surface area. The self‐reconstructed spinel high entropy oxide (S‐HEO) catalyst exhibited a lower overpotential of 240 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2 and enhanced reaction kinetics (59 mV dec−1). Noticeably, the S‐HEO displayed an outstanding durability of 1000 h without any potential loss, significantly outperforming most of the reported OER electrocatalysts. Further, S‐HEO is evaluated as the anode catalyst for an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) in 1 m, 0.1 m KOH, and DI water at 20 and 60 °C. These results demonstrate that S‐HEO is a highly attractive, non‐noble class of materials for high active oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts allowing fine‐tuning beyond the limits of bi‐ or trimetallic oxides.
Hydrodynamics and Aggregation of Nanoparticles with Protein Corona: Effects of Protein Concentration and Ionic Strength
Authors: Lee Hwankyu
Published: July 2024

Multiple 10 nm‐sized anionic nanoparticles complexed with plasma proteins (human serum albumin (SA) or immunoglobulin gamma‐1 (IgG)) at different ratios are simulated using all‐atom and coarse‐grained models. Coarse‐grained simulations show much larger hydrodynamic radii of individual particles at a low protein concentration (a protein‐to‐particle ratio of 1) than at high protein concentrations or without proteins, indicating particle aggregation only at such a low protein concentration, in agreement with experiments. This particle aggregation is attributed to both electrostatic and hydrophobic particle‐protein interactions, to an extent dependent on different proteins. In all‐atom simulations, IgG proteins induce particle aggregation with and without salt, while SA proteins promote particle aggregation only in the presence of salt that can weaken the electrostatic repulsion between anionic particles closely linked via SA that is smaller than IgG, which also agree well with experiments. Besides charge interactions, hydrophobic interactions between particles and proteins are also important especially at the high salt concentration, leading to the increased particle‐protein contact area. These findings help explain experimental observations regarding that the effects of protein concentration and ionic strength on particle aggregation depend on different plasma proteins, which are interpreted by binding free energies, electrostatic, and hydrophobic interactions between particles and proteins.
Achieving Optical Refractive Index of 10‐Plus by Colloidal Self‐Assembly
Authors: Kim NaYeoun , Huh Ji‐Hyeok , Cho YongDeok , Park Sung Hun , Kim Hyeon Ho , Rho Kyung Hun , Lee Jaewon , Lee Seungwoo
Published: July 2024

This study demonstrates the developments of self‐assembled optical metasurfaces to overcome inherent limitations in polarization density (P) and high refractive indices (n) within naturally occurring materials. The Maxwellian macroscopic description establishes a link between P and n, revealing a static limit in natural materials, restricting n to ≈4.0 at optical frequencies. Previously, it is accepted that self‐assembly enables the creation of nanogaps between metallic nanoparticles (NPs), boosting capacitive enhancement of P and resultant exceptionally high n at optical frequencies. The work focuses on assembling gold (Au) NPs into a closely packed monolayer by rationally designing the polymeric ligand to balance attractive and repulsive forces, in that polymeric brush‐mediated self‐assembly of the close‐packed Au NP monolayer is robustly achieved over a large‐area. The resulting monolayer of Au nanospheres (NSs), nanooctahedras (NOs), and nanocubes (NCs) exhibits high macroscopic integrity and crystallinity, sufficiently enough for pushing n to record‐high regimes. The systematic comparisons between each differently shaped Au NP monolayers elucidate the significance of capacitive coupling in achieving an unnaturally high n. The achieved n of 10.12 at optical frequencies stands as a benchmark, highlighting the potential of polyhedral Au NPs in advancing optical metasurfaces.
The Influence of Particle Swarm Optimization‐Back Propagation Neural Network Hyperparameter Selection on the Prediction Accuracy of Converter Endpoint Temperature
Authors: Xin Tongze , Wang Min , Li Yihong
Published: July 2024

The converter is a complex, high temperature, high pressure reactor with limited internal moitoring. At present, data‐driven models mainly focus on the prediction differences between algorithms, and there is relatively little analysis of the impact of different hyperparameters on prediction accuracy. Taking a 120 t converter in a Chinese steel plant as an example, this paper explores the application of particle swarm optimization‐back propagation neural network (PSO‐BP) in converter temperature prediction. First, the Pauta criterion or Box plot method was used to preprocess the data by prescreening. Subsequently, the influence of the activation function, learning rate, and number of hidden layer nodes of BP on the prediction accuracy of the endpoint temperature were explored. Then we investigated the influence of PSO parameters on the optimal result of BP initial value. Comparing the temperature prediction hit rate before and after optimization, the BP model has hit rates of 63.64%, 79.22%, and 87.45% within ±10, ±15, and ±20 °C, respectively, and the PSO‐BP model has hit rates of 68.40%, 84.85%, and 94.81%, respectively. In comparison, PSO‐BP extracts data features more accurately, has higher stability, and has better accuracy in predicting the endpoint temperature of the converter.
Computer‐Aided Protein Surface Modification Strategy to Improve the Thermostability of α‐Amylase
Authors: Zhai Wenxin , Zhu Mengyu , Lin Lin , Wei Wei , Wei Dongzhi
Published: July 2024

Stability under high‐temperature environments is crucial for amylase to function in starch‐based industries. This study develops a method of modifying protein surfaces by combining computer‐aided tools including FoldX, PoPMuSiC, Discovery Studio, and I‐Mutant 2.0 with conserved sequence analysis. A truncated α‐amylase ∆AmyPTG from Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius DSMZ 2542 is rationally designed through this method to improve its thermostability. Seven single‐site variants are constructed and five of them displayed enhanced thermostability. Next, three double‐site variants are constructed with one particularly successful double‐site variant N31RT213R, exhibiting a 4.3‐fold longer half‐life at 80 °C. Notably, the specific activity of N31RT213R reaches 10 567.16 U mg−1, higher than ∆AmyPTG (6645.43 U mg−1). When applied to the corn starch liquefaction reaction, the mutant N31RT213R gets a higher yield of product concentration of about 255.70 µg mL−1, compared to 190.72 µg mL−1 for ∆AmyPTG. Intramolecular forces analysis and surface electrostatic charges analysis are conducted to determine possible causes for the improvement. Also, molecular dynamics simulation is used to analyze the flexibility shifts of the entire protein. This innovative rational engineering approach has proven to be a successful strategy for the selection of hot spots for protein thermostability evolution and has the potential to be applied to other enzymes.
Acrylamide Exposure Impairs Ovarian Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle and Reduces Oocyte Quality in Mouse
Authors: Liu Yue‐Cen , Li Rui‐Cheng , Wang Wen‐Ke , Chen Yan‐Zhu , He Quan‐Kuo , Xu Zhi‐Ran , Yang Yi‐Fan , Cheng Si‐Yao , Wang Hai‐Long , Qi Zhong‐Quan , Xu Chang‐Long , Liu Yu
Published: July 2024

Acrylamide (AAM), a compound extensively utilized in various industrial applications, has been reported to induce toxic effects across multiple tissues in living organisms. Despite its widespread use, the impact of AAM on ovarian function and the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. Here, we established an AAM‐exposed mouse toxicological model using 21 days of intragastric AAM administration. AAM exposure decreased ovarian coefficient and impaired follicle development. Further investigations revealed AAM would trigger apoptosis and disturb tricarboxylic acid cycle in ovarian tissue, thus affecting mitochondrial electron transport function. Moreover, AAM exposure decreased oocyte and embryo development potential, mechanically associated with pericentrin and phosphorylated Aurora A cluster failure, leading to meiotic spindle assembly defects. Collectively, these results suggest that AAM exposure may lead to apoptosis, glucose metabolic disorders, and mitochondrial dysfunction in ovary tissue, ultimately compromising oocyte quality.
Integrated meta‐QTL and in silico transcriptome assessment pinpoint major genomic regions responsible for spike length in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Yang Changgang , Zhang Xueting , Wang Shihong , Liu Na
Published: July 2024

Spike length (SL) is one of the major contributors to wheat yield. Uncovering major genetic regions affecting SL is an integral part of elucidating the genetic basis of wheat yield traits and goes further pivotal for marker‐assisted selection breeding. A genome‐wide meta‐quantitative trait locus (MQTL) analysis of wheat SL resulted in the refinement of 48 MQTLs using 227 initial QTLs retrieved from previous studies published over the past decades. The average confidence interval (CI) of these MQTLs amounted to a 5.16‐fold reduction compared to the mean CI of the initial QTLs. As many as 2240 putative candidate genes (CGs) were identified from the MQTL intervals using transcriptomics data in silico of wheat, of which 58 CGs were identified based on wheat–rice homology analysis. For the key CG affecting SL, a functional kompetitive allele‐specific PCR (KASP) marker, TaPP2C‐3B‐KASP, was developed to distinguish TaPP2C‐3B‐Hap I and TaPP2C‐3B‐Hap II based on the single nucleotide polymorphism at the 272 bp (A/G). The frequency of the elite allelic variation TaPP2C‐3B‐Hap II with high SL remained relatively stable at about 49.62% from the 1960s to 1990s. Integration of MQTL analysis and in silico transcriptome data led to a significant increase in the reliability of CGs for the genetic regulation of wheat SL, and the haplotype analysis for key CGs TaPP2C‐3B of SL provided insights into the biological function of the TaPP2C‐3B gene.
Comparing research attitudes in Down syndrome and non‐Down syndrome research decision‐makers
Authors: Lu Thuy V. , Campos Paola , Leader Sean , Lee Xavier , Xu Helena , Doran Eric , Grill Joshua D , Lott Ira T.
Published: July 2024

INTRODUCTION

Recruitment challenges in people with and without Down syndrome (DS) can delay research progress and risk sample bias. This study identified and quantified differences in research attitudes across populations of research enrollment decision‐makers for individuals with and without DS.

METHODS

We performed analyses using data from two registries: the University of California, Irvine Consent‐to‐Contact (C2C) Registry and DS‐Connect. The former represented a sample of non‐DS decision‐makers (N = 4818), while for the latter, we excluded individuals with DS, leaving a population of DS family decision‐makers (N = 976). We assessed scores on the Research Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) between DS and non‐DS decision‐makers. We compared total RAQ scores using linear regression and assessed item‐level RAQ differences using proportional odds regression.

RESULTS

Mean total RAQ scores were not statistically different between decision‐makers in the two registries, after adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) time frame (Est. Diff = 0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: ‐0.22, 0.43; p = 0.531). However, in a pre‐specified analysis, we did find evidence of differential attitudes on item‐level RAQ scores. Specifically, decision‐makers for participants with DS had increased odds of a more favorable response to the question of responsibility to help others (DS vs. non‐DS: odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.48) and decreased odds of a more favorable response to the question regarding the belief that medical research would find cures for major diseases during their lifetime (DS vs. non‐DS: OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.90).

DISCUSSION

Our findings provide insights for researchers to develop strategies for recruiting individuals with and without DS into clinical research. The observed item‐level differences warrant further investigation to instruct precise recruitment strategies.

Highlights

Research attitudes between decision‐makers for individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and decision‐makers without DS were observed to be similar on average.

Item‐level differences in research attitudes were observed to differ for DS and non‐DS decision‐makers.

These results can help facilitate precise recruitment strategies for populations with DS.
Intergovernmental Relations and Refugee Language Training in Finland and Sweden: A Conflicted Policy Process
Authors: Rauhut Daniel , Kettunen Pekka
Published: July 2024

This paper discusses how language training for refugees is implemented by the local authorities in Finland and Sweden. The responsibility, production and financing of this specific integration service, language training, is distributed over a multitude of actors in a multidimensional governance structure. We apply a conceptual framework based on intergovernmental relations and conflictual policy processes. The findings suggest that intergovernmental relations are characterized by conflicted policy processes between the actors involved in the multidimensional governance structure. Our conclusion is that insufficient financing and unclear responsibilities lead to a conflicted policy process vertically as well as horizontally.
Privacy Promise Vs. Tracking Reality in Pay-or-Tracking Walls
Authors: Müller-Tribbensee Timo
Published: July 2024

European websites increasingly adopt pay-or-tracking walls, sometimes known as “consent or pay models,” “cookie paywalls,” or “pay-or-okay walls.” These walls require users to pay a fee or consent to be tracked in exchange for website access. However, initial evidence suggests that websites might continue to track users even when they pay the fee, constituting user deception. This paper comprehensively assesses whether websites employing pay-or-tracking walls keep their privacy promise to paying users as stated on the pay-or-tracking wall and safeguard their privacy. Data collection and analysis from 341 websites show that while websites reduce tracking for paying users, 32.9% of the websites fail to uphold the privacy promise declared on their pay-or-tracking wall. 80% of these websites could meet their privacy commitments by removing just one or two trackers. Notably, a group of websites offering a joint subscription allowing access to all participating websites better keeps their privacy promises than others, likely due to the implementation of an ongoing control mechanism that regularly detects tracker usage. The results show that implementing tracking-free websites remains challenging and might require continuous efforts.
Publikations- und Rezeptionsanalyse von drei medizinischen Fakultäten unter Berücksichtigung der LOM
Authors: Aman Valeria
Published: July 2024

In diesem Beitrag steht die bibliometrische Publikations- und Rezeptionsanalyse von drei medizinischen Fakultäten in Deutschland im Fokus. Die Bibliometrie nutzt primär Publikations- und Zitationsdaten für ihre Analysen, die in Publikations- und Zitationsdatenbanken wie Web of Science oder Scopus enthalten sind. Bibliometrische Indikatoren werden zumeist in quantitative Indikatoren zur Messung der Produktivität eingeteilt und in Leistungsindikatoren, die einen Proxy für die Messung von Qualität darstellen.
Altmetrics zur Evaluation medizinischer Forschung in Deutschland
Authors: Lemke Steffen , Witthake Anne , Peters Isabella
Published: July 2024

Mit der zunehmenden Verbreitung wissenschaftlicher Publikationen in elektronischen Formaten sowie der immer stärkeren Durchsetzung des Berufsalltags vieler Forschender mit webbasierten Tools und Plattformen gehen rasant anwachsende Möglichkeiten einher, Interaktionen mit wissenschaftlichen Erzeugnissen in Online-Umgebungen zu messen. Aus den verschiedenen Versuchen, einen solche Messungen zusammenfassenden Begriff zu etablieren, hat sich das Kofferwort Altmetrics – für alternative metrics – weitgehend durchgesetzt.
Interest of Non-destructive Tests
Authors: Rincent Jean-Jacques Henri
Published: July 2024

An analysis of the different advantages of the non-destructive tests lead to organize a campaign of tests with a repartition between static and dynamic tests to obtain a representative result of the contention walls.
Statics and Dynamics Tests
Authors: Rincent Jean-Jacques Henri
Published: July 2024

These simultaneous tests lead to calibrate dynamic tests but also to understand the tie rod behavior during these tests. Two examples are given.
Examples
Authors: Rincent Jean-Jacques Henri
Published: July 2024

Seven examples encountered on different sites provides a better understanding of the method.
Duality between U × U and O × USp theories from A3 = D3
Authors: Kubo Naotaka
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We study the duality between the ABJ(M) theory at Chern-Simons level k = 4 and the orientifold ABJ theory at Chern-Simons level k = 1 by using the S3 partition function. The partition function can be computed using the supersymmetric localization in terms of a matrix model, and we derive an ideal Fermi gas system by applying the Fermi gas formalism to the matrix model. By using this formalism, we show that the matrix model can be embedded in the partition function of $$ \hat{A} $$

A
̂

3 or $$ \hat{D} $$

D
̂

3 quiver theories, and the equality of these quiver theories, which comes from $$ \hat{A} $$

A
̂

3 = $$ \hat{D} $$

D
̂

3, leads to exact relations of the matrix models. These exact relations can be used to check the identification of the flavor symmetries. The perfect agreement between the matrix models also implies that no decoupled sector is needed.
Fermionic UV models for neutral triple gauge boson vertices
Authors: Cepedello Ricardo , Esser Fabian , Hirsch Martin , Sanz Veronica
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Searches for anomalous neutral triple gauge boson couplings (NTGCs) provide important tests for the gauge structure of the standard model. In SMEFT (“standard model effective field theory”) NTGCs appear only at the level of dimension-8 operators. While the phenomenology of these operators has been discussed extensively in the literature, renormalizable UV models that can generate these operators are scarce. In this work, we study a variety of extensions of the SM with heavy fermions and calculate their matching to d = 8 NTGC operators. We point out that the complete matching of UV models requires four different CP-conserving d = 8 operators and that the single CPC d = 8 operator, most commonly used by the experimental collaborations, does not describe all possible NTGC form factors. Despite stringent experimental constraints on NTGCs, limits on the scale of UV models are relatively weak, because their contributions are doubly suppressed (being d = 8 and 1-loop). We suggest a series of benchmark UV scenarios suitable for interpreting searches for NTGCs in the upcoming LHC runs, obtain their current limits and provide estimates for the expected sensitivity of the high-luminosity LHC.
Kripke-Joyal forcing for type theory and uniform fibrations
Authors: Awodey Steve , Gambino Nicola , Hazratpour Sina
Published: July 2024

We introduce a new method for precisely relating algebraic structures in a presheaf category and judgements of its internal type theory. The method provides a systematic way to organise complex diagrammatic reasoning and generalises the well-known Kripke-Joyal forcing for logic. As an application, we prove several properties of algebraic weak factorisation systems considered in Homotopy Type Theory.
Longitudinal Cough Frequency Monitoring in Persistent Coughers: Daily Variability and Predictability
Authors: Chung Kian Fan , Chaccour Carlos , Jover Lola , Galvosas Mindaugas , Song Woo-jung , Rudd Matthew , Small Peter
Published: July 2024

Purpose

We determined the cough counts and their variability in subjects with persistent cough for 30 days.

Methods

The Hyfe cough tracker app uses the mobile phone microphone to monitor sounds and recognizes cough with artificial intelligence-enabled algorithms. We analyzed the daily cough counts including the daily predictability rates of 97 individuals who monitored their coughs over 30 days and had a daily cough rate of at least 5 coughs per hour.

Results

The mean (median) daily cough rates varied from 6.5 to 182 (6.2 to 160) coughs per hour, with standard deviations (interquartile ranges) varying from 0.99 to 124 (1.30 to 207) coughs per hour among all subjects. There was a positive association between cough rate and variability, as subjects with higher mean cough rates (OLS) have larger standard deviations. The accuracy of any given day for predicting all 30 days is the One Day Predictability for that day, defined as the percentage of days when cough frequencies fall within that day’s 95% confidence interval. Overall Predictability was the mean of the 30-One Day Predictability percentages and ranged from 95% (best predictability) to 30% (least predictability).

Conclusion

There is substantial within-day and day-to-day variability for each subject with persistent cough recorded over 30 days. If confirmed in future studies, the clinical significance and the impact on the use of cough counts as a primary end-point of cough interventions of this variability need to be assessed.
A Cloud-Based System for Automated AI Image Analysis and Reporting
Authors: Chatterjee Neil , Duda Jeffrey , Gee James , Elahi Ameena , Martin Kristen , Doan Van , Liu Hannah , Maclean Matthew , Rader Daniel , Borthakur Arijitt , Kahn Charles , Sagreiya Hersh , Witschey Walter
Published: July 2024

Although numerous AI algorithms have been published, the relatively small number of algorithms used clinically is partly due to the difficulty of implementing AI seamlessly into the clinical workflow for radiologists and for their healthcare enterprise. The authors developed an AI orchestrator to facilitate the deployment and use of AI tools in a large multi-site university healthcare system and used it to conduct opportunistic screening for hepatic steatosis. During the 60-day study period, 991 abdominal CTs were processed at multiple different physical locations with an average turnaround time of 2.8 min. Quality control images and AI results were fully integrated into the existing clinical workflow. All input into and output from the server was in standardized data formats. The authors describe the methodology in detail; this framework can be adapted to integrate any clinical AI algorithm.