bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Egalitarianism across Generations
Authors: Schmidt Andreas T.
Published: October 2024

Egalitarian theories assess when and why distributive inequalities are objectionable. How should egalitarians assess inequalities between generations? One egalitarian theory is (telic) distributive egalitarianism: other things being equal, equal distributions of some good are intrinsically better than unequal distributions. I first argue that distributive egalitarianism produces counterintuitive judgements when applied across generations and that attempts to discount or exclude intergenerational inequalities do not work. This being so, intergenerational comparisons also undercut the intragenerational judgements that made distributive egalitarianism intuitive in the first place. I then argue that egalitarians should shed distributive egalitarianism: relational and instrumental arguments against inequality likely suffice to capture egalitarian concerns – including across generations – without encountering the problems produced by distributive egalitarianism.
Arrhythmias in adult patients after Rastelli surgery: a single-centre experience
Authors: Patloori Sirish Chandra Srinath , Kawada Satoshi , Chakraborty Praloy , Saeed Yawer , Denham Nathan , Joens Christian , Oechslin Erwin N. , Roche Susan L. , Silversides Candice , Wald Rachel M. , Alonso-Gonzalez Rafael , Thorne Sara , Mondesert Blandine , Khairy Paul , Selvaraj Raja , Nair Krishnakumar
Published: October 2024

Background:

Rastelli surgery is used for the correction of several CHDs. Although late-onset cardiac arrhythmias have emerged as a major complication after corrective surgeries, there is a paucity of data on arrhythmias after Rastelli surgery.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who had undergone Rastelli surgery and have been followed at the adult CHD clinic at our hospital.

Results:

A total of 55 patients (36.4% female, age 22.2 ± 6.4 years) were followed for a median period of 24.2 (20.6–31.0) years. Tachyarrhythmias occurred in 21 (38.4 %) patients (n = 15 for atrial tachycardia, 5 for ventricular tachycardia, and 1 for both atrial and ventricular tachycardia). Older age at surgery was significantly associated with the risk of tachyarrhythmias (P = 0.022). Bradyarrhythmia occurred in 12 (21.8%) patients and consisted of perioperative AV block (n = 5), late AV block (n = 1), and sinus node dysfunction (n = 6). Nine (16.4%) patients underwent catheter ablation. The mechanisms of atrial arrhythmias include cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent and surgical scar-dependent intra-atrial reentrant tachycardias. Among the three patients who underwent ablation for ventricular tachycardia, all circuits were dependent on the scar at the base of the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. Median survival free from any event (arrhythmia, death, or heart failure) was 31.6 (28.1–35.1) years after Rastelli surgery.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of arrhythmias late after Rastelli surgery is substantial and increases in the second decade after surgery. Older age at surgery is associated with a higher prevalence of arrhythmias.
How do publicly procured school meals programmes in sub-Saharan Africa improve nutritional outcomes for children and adolescents: a mixed-methods systematic review
Authors: Liguori Julia , Osei-Kwasi Hibbah Araba , Savy Mathilde , Nanema Silver , Laar Amos , Holdsworth Michelle
Published: October 2024

Objective:

This review aimed to (i) synthesise evidence of the impact of publicly procured school meals programmes on nutritional outcomes of children/adolescents (5–18 years) in sub-Saharan Africa and (ii) identify challenges and facilitators to implementing effective school meals programmes.

Design:

Mixed-methods systematic review (n 7 databases). Nutritional outcomes assessed were anthropometrics (underweight, stunting, wasting, overweight/obesity), micronutrient deficiencies, food consumed and food environment. Qualitative findings were coded using a nine-step school food system framework: production of food, wholesale and trading, transportation and storage, processing and distribution, food preparation, distribution to students, student stakeholders, community involvement and infrastructure support.

Setting:

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Participants:

Children/adolescents (5–18 years), parents, school personnel and government officials.

Results:

Thirty-three studies (twenty-six qualitative, seven quantitative) from nine sub-Saharan African countries were included. Six studies found a positive impact of publicly procured school meals programmes on nutritional outcomes (wasting (n 1), stunting (n 3), underweight (n 1), vitamin A intake (n 1) and dietary diversity (n 1)). Fifty-three implementation challenges were identified, particularly during food preparation (e.g. training, payment), distribution to students (e.g. meal quantity/quality/diversity, utensils) and infrastructure support (e.g. funding, monitoring, coordination). Implementation facilitators were identified (n 37) across processing and distribution (e.g. programme coordination), student stakeholders (e.g. food preferences, reduced stigma) and community involvement (e.g. engagement, positive perceptions). Included policy recommendations targeted wholesale and trading, food preparation, student stakeholders and infrastructure support in nine, fifteen and twenty-five studies, respectively.

Conclusions:

As many challenges remain, strengthening implementation (and therefore the nutritional impact) of school meals programmes in sub-Saharan Africa requires bold commitment and improved coordination at multiple levels of governance.
IRROTATIONAL FLOW DUE TO FORCED OSCILLATIONS OF A BUBBLE
Authors: COCKERILL MADELEINE C. , FORBES LAWRENCE K. , BASSOM ANDREW P.
Published: October 2024

The behaviour of an axisymmetric bubble in a pure liquid forced by an acoustic pressure field is analysed. The bubble is assumed to have a sharp deformable interface, which is subject both to surface tension and to Rayleigh viscosity damping. Two modelling regimes are considered. The first is a linearized solution, based on the assumption of small axisymmetric deformations to an otherwise spherical bubble. The second involves a semi-numerical solution of the fully nonlinear problem, using a novel spectral method of high accuracy. For large-amplitude nonspherical bubble oscillations, the fully nonlinear solutions show that a complicated resonance structure is possible and that curvature singularities may occur at the interface, even in the presence of surface tension. Rayleigh viscosity at the interface prevents singularity formation, but eventually causes the bubble to become purely spherical unless shape-mode resonances occur. An extended analysis is also presented for purely spherical bubbles, which allows for a more detailed study of the effects of resonance and the Rayleigh viscosity at the bubble surface.
Twins and Their Risks of Cancer as Children, Teenagers or Young Adults: Updated Meta-Analysis and Retrospective Swedish Cohort Study
Authors: Murphy Michael F.G. , He Jian-Rong , Ramakrishnan Rema , Williams Carrie L , Chen Bowang , Hemminki Kari
Published: October 2024

We investigated whether an observed reduction in overall childhood cancer risk (<15 years of age) in twins has been sustained, and how this extends into young adulthood. We searched for English language publications reporting childhood cancer risk in twins, obtained unpublished data directly from some authors, and updated a meta-analysis. We used the Swedish Multigeneration Register to investigate the age to which the reduced overall risk of childhood cancer (observed previously using that Swedish dataset and in this and earlier meta-analyses) persisted into the teenage/young adult years, and which specific tumors accounted for the overall risk reduction beyond childhood. Our meta-analysis of studies of aggregate childhood cancer risk in twins confirmed their approximate 15% reduction in cancer mortality and incidence. Further analysis of Swedish Multigeneration Register data for 1958 to 2002 suggested these reduced risks of cancer (particularly leukaemias and renal tumors) extended from childhood to young adult ages. Reduced risks of these and some other specific tumor types occurring across childhood/teenage/young adult years appeared to account for most of the overall risk reduction. Our results suggest a persistent reduction of overall childhood cancer risk in twins and that this extends into young adulthood. Risk reductions for several specific tumors might account for this and, although there are several potential explanations, intrauterine growth patterns of twins might be a major contributor.
Factor Structure and Invariance of a German Adaptation of the Primary Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale
Authors: Dericioğlu Deniz Cengiz , Schiller Florian , Schmitz Florian
Published: October 2024

Abstract: This study was conducted to test the psychometric properties of a German adaptation of the Primary Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP). A large community sample ( N = 1,040) was collected and divided into two parallel subsamples. One was used to explore the latent structure with a hierarchical cluster analysis, whereas the other subsample was used to test the structure with confirmatory factor analyses. A solution comprising two correlated factors offered the best model fit. The allocation of the three Machiavellianism items to the two factors differed from that found in previous studies and suggested an interpretation of the factors as egocentricity and deceitfulness. This revised measurement model with the refined item allocation possessed superior fit and reliability compared to one-factor and two-factor models that have previously been proposed for the Primary LSRP. Furthermore, the revised measurement model proved to be measurement invariant across male and female participants.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Emotion Beliefs Questionnaire – Norwegian Version (EBQ-N)
Authors: Raanes Emilie F. W. , Ryum Truls , Stiles Tore C.
Published: October 2024

Abstract: The Emotion Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ) assesses beliefs about the controllability and usefulness of positive and negative emotions. The aim of the present study was to establish the construct validity and reliability of the EBQ within the cultural and linguistic context of Norway. The Norwegian version of the EBQ (EBQ-N) was administered to a sample of university students ( N = 380, 64.2% females, 93.7% aged 25 or younger). Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the EBQ-N is best represented by three first-order factors and a higher-order general factor, consistent with the findings of the initial validation study. The items displayed both adequate convergence in assessing their intended constructs and effective discrimination among the three first-order factors. The scale components demonstrated acceptable to good internal consistency. In the context of its intrinsic properties, the EBQ-N appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing emotion beliefs in Norwegian research and clinical settings.
Enhancing Global Simulation of Smoke Injection Height for Intense Pyro‐Convection Through Coupling an Improved One‐Dimensional Plume Rise Model in CAM‐chem
Authors: Ma Chaoqun , Ni Ruijing , Su Hang , Cheng Yafang
Published: October 2024

The impact of wildfire smoke is largely determined by the height where they are injected into the atmosphere. Current plume rise models tend to underestimate the high smoke injection heights because the previous models and configurations were mainly constrained and validated by the plume height observation from Multi‐angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), of which most cases inject low within the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Here we retrieve smoke injection heights from intense pyro‐convections based on pyrocumulonimbus satellite images in PYROCAST data set alongside meteorological reanalysis. It largely augments the MISR data set with smoke injection heights up to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). Constrained by both MISR and PYROCAST, we show that a scaling down of factor 0.2 to the entrainment efficiency parameterized in the one‐dimensional plume‐rise model (1‐D PRM, Freitas et al. (2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp‐10‐585‐2010)) significantly improves the model performance for high injection cases without compromising the accuracy of low injection cases. We also found that the fire intensity input can be obtained through a simplified dependence on the biome and biomass burning emission flux. While being unable to represent high cases before, the improved 1‐D PRM model predicts similarly well in injection heights both low near the PBL height and high into the UTLS. The improved 1‐D PRM is then coupled into Community Atmosphere Model with Chemistry (CAM‐chem). The coupled CAM‐chem‐PRM, when predicting injection heights in tests imitating real BB emission, exhibited consistent predictive capabilities with the standalone 1‐D PRM while saw a mere 15% increase of computation time.
Characterizing the Magnetic and Plasma Environment Upstream of Ganymede
Authors: Santos A. , Achilleos N. , Millas D. , Dunn W. , Guio P. , Arridge C. S.
Published: October 2024

We present an application of the latest UCL‐AGA magnetodisc model (MDISC) to the study of the magnetic and plasma conditions in the near‐Ganymede space. By doing this, we provide a comparison with measurements from Juno's most recent flyby of the Jovian moon, perijove 34 (PJ34). We find good agreement between the model results and the magnetometer data, pointing toward a hot plasma index value (2.7190.024)107 Pa m T−1 and an effective magnetodisc radius (79.51.1) Jupiter radii for the Jovian magnetosphere, for the duration of the trajectory, suggesting a configuration with middling levels of expansion. We also predict the plasma conditions observed by Juno during the same flight‐path, as well as the typical conditions over the orbit of Ganymede, with the magnetic and hot plasma pressures assuming dominant roles. Finally, these results are compared with functional fits of a compilation of Galileo flyby data obtained in the vicinity of Ganymede's orbit, suggesting Juno experienced somewhat similar conditions, despite a systematic overestimation in magnetic field intensity in the near‐Ganymede space.
Fault‐Valve Instability: A Mechanism for Slow Slip Events
Authors: Ozawa So , Yang Yuyun , Dunham Eric M.
Published: October 2024

Geophysical and geological studies provide evidence for cyclic changes in fault‐zone pore fluid pressure that synchronize with or at least modulate slip events. A hypothesized explanation is fault valving arising from temporal changes in fault zone permeability. In our study, we investigate how the coupled dynamics of rate and state friction, along‐fault fluid flow, and permeability evolution can produce slow slip events. Permeability decreases with time, and increases with slip. Linear stability analysis shows that steady slip with constant fluid flow along the fault zone is unstable to perturbations, even for velocity‐strengthening friction with no state evolution, if the background flow is sufficiently high. We refer to this instability as the “fault valve instability.” The propagation speed of the fluid pressure and slip pulse, which scales with permeability enhancement, can be much higher than expected from linear pressure diffusion. Two‐dimensional simulations with spatially uniform properties show that the fault valve instability develops into slow slip events, in the form of aseismic slip pulses that propagate in the direction of fluid flow. We also perform earthquake sequence simulations on a megathrust fault, taking into account depth‐dependent frictional and hydrological properties. The simulations produce quasi‐periodic slow slip events from the fault valve instability below the seismogenic zone, in both velocity‐weakening and velocity‐strengthening regions, for a wide range of effective normal stresses. A separation of slow slip events from the seismogenic zone, which is observed in some subduction zones, is reproduced when assuming a fluid sink around the mantle wedge corner.
Prediction of Sea Surface Current Around the Korean Peninsula Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Chae Jeong‐Yeob , Jin Hyunkeun , Chang Inseong , Kim Young Ho , Park Young‐Gyu , Kim Young Taeg , Kang Boonsoon , Kim Min‐su , Ju Ho‐Jeong , Park Jae‐Hun
Published: October 2024

The prediction of sea surface currents is essential for various marine activities such as disaster monitoring, fishing industries, and search and rescue operations. Continuous improvements in numerical models have made it possible to predict more realistic oceans using data assimilation and fine spatial resolution. However, such complicated ocean models require high computational power and time, making them difficult to use for near‐real time forecasting. To compensate for these high computational costs, novel approaches with efficient computational costs combined with numerical model outputs need to be developed. Artificial neural networks could be one of the solutions as they require low computational power for prediction, owing to pre‐trained networks. Here, we present a prediction framework applicable to surface current prediction in the seas around the Korean Peninsula using three‐dimensional (3‐D) convolutional neural networks. The network is based on a 3‐D U‐shaped network structure and is modified to predict sea surface currents using oceanic and atmospheric variables. The forecast procedure is optimized to minimize the error of the next day's sea surface current field with a spatial resolution of 1/24° and its recursively predicting structure allows more days to be predicted. The network performance is evaluated by changing the input days and variables to find the optimal surface‐current‐prediction artificial neural network model. The optimized model shows a root mean squared error of 2.3 cm/s for the first forecast day, demonstrating its strong potential for practical use in the near future.
Tectonic Inversion of Intracontinental Basins and the Conundrum of Plate‐Scale Stress Propagation: The Case of the Jatobá Basin, NE Brazil
Authors: Marques F. O. , Palhano L. C. , Vasconcelos D. L. , Nogueira F. C. C. , Tavares A. C. , Bezerra F. H. , Maia R. P. , Medeiros W. E. , Dantas R. R. S. , Fuck R. A. , de Oliveira R. G.
Published: October 2024

We chose the Jatobá Basin (JB) in the Borborema Province in northeastern Brazil to address two outstanding problems, basin tectonic inversion and stress propagation, because (a) evidence of tectonic inversion is conspicuous in the JB, and (b) the basin sits on intracontinental northeastern Brazil, far from plate boundaries and the most obvious stress sources. We found robust evidence of oblique reverse faulting inside the basin, putting sediments of the JB's depocenter hundreds of meters above the hard granitic host basement. We also found sound evidence of hydrographic flow reversal, that is, earlier basement‐to‐basin runoff, followed by basin‐to‐basement runoff. This change means that formerly the basement stood higher than the basin, and later the basin was uplifted (inverted) to currently stand hundreds of meters higher than the basement, especially where the gravity anomaly map shows the deepest depocenter. Coarse conglomerates, sourced in the uplifted basin and blanketing the adjacent basement for kilometers, are only cut by the current hydrographic network. From these main lines of evidence, we infer recent basin tectonic inversion (Quaternary, i.e., <2.6 Ma?). The WSW‐ENE orientation of the maximum compressive stress needed to invert the basin likely results from Mid‐Atlantic and Andean pushes. We conclude that lithospheric plates can deform in their cores because of stresses propagating from plate boundaries to distant plate interiors, where the lithosphere has been locally weakened and strain has concentrated.
The interaction between UBR7 and PRMT5 drives PDAC resistance to gemcitabine by regulating glycolysis and immune microenvironment
Authors: Feng Maoxiao , Jiao Qinlian , Ren Yidan , Liu Xiaoyan , Gao Zihan , Li Zhengjun , Wang Yunshan , Zhao Miaoqing , Bi Lei
Published: October 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Although gemcitabine and other therapeutic agents are effective in patients with advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer, drug resistance has severely limited their use. However, the mechanisms of gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer are poorly understood. In this study, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, and RNA-seq were performed to compare chromatin accessibility and gene expression in a patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) model of pancreatic cancer with or without gemcitabine resistance. Analyzing these sequencing data, we found a dramatic change in chromatin accessibility in the PDX model of gemcitabine-resistant tissues and identified a key gene, UBR7, which plays an important role in mediating gemcitabine resistance. Further research found that depletion of UBR7 significantly increased pancreatic carcinogenesis and the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Mechanistically, depleted UBR7 increased the stability of PRMT5, thereby promoting glycolysis in pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, an inhibitor that blocks PRMT5 (DS-437) significantly reduced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer caused by UBR7 depletion. In conclusion, our results illustrate that the UBR7-PRMT5 axis is a key metabolic regulator of PDAC and a promising target for the clinical treatment of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.
Light-modulated neural control of sphincter regulation in the evolution of through-gut
Authors: Yaguchi Junko , Sakai Kazumi , Horiuchi Atsushi , Yamamoto Takashi , Yamashita Takahiro , Yaguchi Shunsuke
Published: October 2024

The development of a continuous digestive tract, or through-gut, represents a key milestone in bilaterian evolution. However, the regulatory mechanisms in ancient bilaterians (urbilaterians) are not well understood. Our study, using larval sea urchins as a model, reveals a sophisticated system that prevents the simultaneous opening of the pylorus and anus, entry and exit points of the gut. This regulation is influenced by external light, with blue light affecting the pylorus via serotonergic neurons and both blue and longer wavelengths controlling the anus through cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons. These findings provide new insights into the neural orchestration of sphincter control in a simplified through-gut, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestine. Here, we propose that the emergence of the earliest urbilaterian through-gut was accompanied by the evolution of neural systems regulating sphincters in response to light, shedding light on the functional regulation of primordial digestive systems.
MD-HIT: Machine learning for material property prediction with dataset redundancy control
Authors: Li Qin , Fu Nihang , Omee Sadman Sadeed , Hu Jianjun
Published: October 2024

Materials datasets usually contain many redundant (highly similar) materials due to the tinkering approach historically used in material design. This redundancy skews the performance evaluation of machine learning (ML) models when using random splitting, leading to overestimated predictive performance and poor performance on out-of-distribution samples. This issue is well-known in bioinformatics for protein function prediction, where tools like CD-HIT are used to reduce redundancy by ensuring sequence similarity among samples greater than a given threshold. In this paper, we survey the overestimated ML performance in materials science for material property prediction and propose MD-HIT, a redundancy reduction algorithm for material datasets. Applying MD-HIT to composition- and structure-based formation energy and band gap prediction problems, we demonstrate that with redundancy control, the prediction performances of the ML models on test sets tend to have relatively lower performance compared to the model with high redundancy, but better reflect models’ true prediction capability.
A SIRT7-dependent acetylation switch regulates early B cell differentiation and lineage commitment through Pax5
Authors: Gamez-Garcia Andres , Espinosa-Alcantud Maria , Bueno-Costa Alberto , Alari-Pahissa Elisenda , Marazuela-Duque Anna , Thackray Joshua K. , Ray Chandni , Berenguer Clara , Kumari Poonam , Bech Joan Josep , Braun Thomas , Ianni Alessandro , Tischfield Jay A. , Serrano Lourdes , Esteller Manel , Sardina Jose L. , De La Torre Carolina , Sigvardsson Mikael , Vazquez Berta N. , Vaquero Alejandro
Published: October 2024

B lymphopoiesis is orchestrated by lineage-specific transcription factors. In B cell progenitors, lineage commitment is mediated by Pax5, which is commonly mutated in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Despite its essential role in immunity, the mechanisms regulating Pax5 function remain largely unknown. Here, we found that the NAD+-dependent enzyme SIRT7 coordinates B cell development through deacetylation of Pax5 at K198, which promotes Pax5 protein stability and transcriptional activity. Neither Pax5K198 deacetylated nor acetylated mimics rescued B cell differentiation in Pax5−/− pro-B cells, suggesting that B cell development requires Pax5 dynamic deacetylation. The Pax5K198 deacetylation mimic restored lineage commitment in Pax5−/− pro-B cells and B cell differentiation in Sirt7−/− pro-B cells, suggesting the uncoupling of differentiation from lineage commitment. The SIRT7–Pax5 interplay was conserved in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, where SIRT7 expression correlated with good prognosis. Our findings reveal a crucial mechanism for B lymphopoiesis and highlight the relevance of sirtuins in immune function.
CESNET-TLS-Year22: A year-spanning TLS network traffic dataset from backbone lines
Authors: Hynek Karel , Luxemburk Jan , Pešek Jaroslav , Čejka Tomáš , Šiška Pavel
Published: October 2024

The modern approach for network traffic classification (TC), which is an important part of operating and securing networks, is to use machine learning (ML) models that are able to learn intricate relationships between traffic characteristics and communicating applications. A crucial prerequisite is having representative datasets. However, datasets collected from real production networks are not being published in sufficient numbers. Thus, this paper presents a novel dataset, CESNET-TLS-Year22, that captures the evolution of TLS traffic in an ISP network over a year. The dataset contains 180 web service labels and standard TC features, such as packet sequences. The unique year-long time span enables comprehensive evaluation of TC models and assessment of their robustness in the face of the ever-changing environment of production networks.
The accordion technique did not improve bone healing in a mouse model of distraction osteogenesis
Authors: Bertrand David T. , Fu Ruisen , Kavaseri Kyle , Villemure Isabelle , Rauch Frank , Hamdy Reggie , Yang Haisheng , Willie Bettina M.
Published: October 2024

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a valuable surgical method for limb lengthening and bone defect correction, but its lengthy consolidation phase presents challenges. The accordion technique (AT), involving compression and distraction of bone segments, has shown potential for enhancing healing. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the AT conducted at three different time points (distraction phase, early consolidation phase, or late consolidation phase) compared to conventional DO in a mouse osteotomy model. Healing was evaluated using in vivo microCT, histology, and computational modeling. Results showed that bridging frequency, BV, and callus tissue composition were similar between conventional DO and late consolidation AT. In contrast, distraction phase AT led to delayed healing at day 15 with a 72% reduction in BV compared to DO, but no significant differences by the endpoint. Early consolidation AT showed significantly impaired healing compared to DO, with only 29% of mice achieving bony bridging, and significantly reduced bone marrow area of the endpoint callus. In silico modeling was generally predictive of in vivo findings and suggested that application of the AT during early consolidation results in destruction of newly-formed vascular tissue. Overall, no benefit was observed for the AT compared to conventional DO with the parameters employed in this study.
Development of bioluminescent Group B streptococcal strains for longitudinal infection studies
Authors: Lorga Inês , Geraldo Rafaela , Soares Joana , Oliveira Liliana , Firon Arnaud , Bonifácio Andrade Elva
Published: October 2024

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains the leading bacterial cause of invasive neonatal disease, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. New therapeutic approaches beyond antibacterial treatment to prevent neonatal disease outcomes are urgent. One significant limitation in studying GBS disease and progression is the lack of non-invasive technologies for longitudinal studies. Here, we develop and compare three bioluminescent GBS strains for in vivo pathogenic analysis. Bioluminescence is based on the luxABCDE operon on a replicative vector (luxGBS-CC17), and the red-shifted firefly luciferase on a replicative vector (fflucGBS-CC17) or integrated in the genome (glucGBS-CC17). We show that luxGBS-CC17 is suitable for in vitro analysis but does not produce a significant bioluminescent signal in infected pups. In contrast, the fflucGBS-CC17 results in a strong bioluminescent signal proportional to the organ colonisation level. However, the stability of the replicative vector depends on the route of infection, especially when pups acquire the bacteria from infected vaginal mucosa. Stable chromosomal integration of luciferase in glucGBS-CC17 leads to significant bioluminescence in both haematological and vertical infection models associated with high systemic colonisation. These strains will allow the preclinical evaluation of treatment efficacy against GBS invasive disease using whole-mouse bioluminescence imaging.
A hybrid deep learning network for automatic diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia based on 12-lead ECG
Authors: Bai Xiangyun , Dong Xinglong , Li Yabing , Liu Ruixia , Zhang Henggui
Published: October 2024

Cardiac arrhythmias are the leading cause of death and pose a huge health and economic burden globally. Electrocardiography (ECG) is an effective technique for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases because of its noninvasive and cost-effective advantages. However, traditional ECG analysis relies heavily on the clinical experience of physicians, which can be challenging and time-consuming to produce valid diagnostic results. This work proposes a new hybrid deep learning model that combines convolutional neural network (CNN) and bidirectional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU) with multi-head attention (CBGM model). Specifically, the model consists of seven convolutional layers with varying filter sizes (4, 16, 32, and 64) and three pooling layers, respectively, while the BiGRU module includes two layers with 64 units each followed by multi-head attention (8-heads). The combination of CNN and BiGRU effectively captures spatio-temporal features of ECG signals, with multi-head attention comprehensively extracted global correlations among multiple segments of ECG signals. The validation in the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database achieved an accuracy of 99.41%, a precision of 99.15%, a specificity of 99.68%, and an F1-Score of 99.21%, indicating its robust performance across different evaluation metrics. Additionally, the model’s performance was evaluated on the PTB Diagnostic ECG Database, where it achieved an accuracy of 98.82%, demonstrating its generalization capability. Comparative analysis against previous methods revealed that our proposed CBGM model exhibits more higher performance in automatic classification of arrhythmia and can be helpful for assisting clinicians by enabling real-time detection of cardiac arrhythmias during routine ECG screenings.
An interpretable and transparent machine learning framework for appendicitis detection in pediatric patients
Authors: Chadaga Krishnaraj , Khanna Varada , Prabhu Srikanth , Sampathila Niranjana , Chadaga Rajagopala , Umakanth Shashikiran , Bhat Devadas , Swathi K. S. , Kamath Radhika
Published: October 2024

Appendicitis, an infection and inflammation of the appendix is a prevalent condition in children that requires immediate treatment. Rupture of the appendix may lead to several complications, such as peritonitis and sepsis. Appendicitis is medically diagnosed using urine, blood, and imaging tests. In recent times, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning have been a boon for medicine. Hence, several supervised learning techniques have been utilized in this research to diagnose appendicitis in pediatric patients. Six heterogeneous searching techniques have been used to perform hyperparameter tuning and optimize predictions. These are Bayesian Optimization, Hybrid Bat Algorithm, Hybrid Self-adaptive Bat Algorithm, Firefly Algorithm, Grid Search, and Randomized Search. Further, nine classification metrics were utilized in this study. The Hybrid Bat Algorithm technique performed the best among the above algorithms, with an accuracy of 94% for the customized APPSTACK model. Five explainable artificial intelligence techniques have been tested to interpret the results made by the classifiers. According to the explainers, length of stay, means vermiform appendix detected on ultrasonography, white blood cells, and appendix diameter were the most crucial markers in detecting appendicitis. The proposed system can be used in hospitals for an early/quick diagnosis and to validate the results obtained by other diagnostic modalities.
Examining the quantum fisher information in the interaction of a dirac system with a squeezed generalized amplitude damping channel
Authors: Iyen C. , Liman M. S. , Emem-Obong S. J. , Yahya W. A. , Onate C. A. , Falaye B. J.
Published: October 2024

The inherent association between real quantum systems and their surrounding environment invariably results in decoherence, leading to the loss of entanglement. This diminution in entanglement coincides with a decline in the fidelity of transmitted information using the entangled quantum resource. This study scrutinizes the impact of the squeezed generalized amplitude damping (SGAD) channel on quantum Fisher information (QFI) parameters. The SGAD channel model, a versatile framework, is also employed to simulate other dissipative channels, including amplitude damping (AD) and generalized amplitude damping (GAD). Kraus operators facilitate the modeling of noisy channels. The results reveal that, within the SGAD channel, the QFI remains impervious to the squeezing variables (r and $$\Phi$$
Φ
). In the GAD channel, $$F\theta _{GAD}$$

F

θ

GAD

undergoes enhancement to a constant value with an upswing in temperature (T), while the $$\phi$$
ϕ
parameter in the GAD channel, $$F\phi _{GAD}$$

F

ϕ

GAD

, akin to the SGAD channel, surges around T = 2 before complete loss ensues. Concerning the AD channel, the $$\theta$$
θ
component of the QFI initially experiences decoherence with an augmentation in the AD noise parameter ($$\lambda$$
λ
). Subsequently, it is restored to its initial value with a further escalation in $$\lambda$$
λ
. Conversely, the $$\phi$$
ϕ
component of the QFI in the AD channel experiences decoherence with an elevation in the AD noise parameter ($$\lambda$$
λ
).
Acoustic levitation and manipulation of columns of droplets with integrated optical detection for parallelisation of reactions
Authors: Gupta Ruchi , Goddard Nicholas J.
Published: October 2024

In this work, acoustically levitated droplets serve as wells of microtitre plates and are acoustically manipulated to perform chemical and biological reactions in a non-contact fashion.
Convergent synthesis of bicyclic boronates via a cascade regioselective Suzuki–Miyaura/cyclisation protocol
Authors: Marotta Alessandro , Kortman Hannah M. , Interdonato Chiara , Seeberger Peter H. , Molloy John J.
Published: October 2024

A regioselective cross-coupling/cyclisation reaction of vicinal boronic esters with 2-halophenols to forge 3-substituted bicyclic boronates is disclosed enabling access to drug derivatives and bicyclic boronates with a pendent biomolecular probe.
Cobalt-catalyzed dithiolation of unactivated alkenes with thiols: facile access to diverse vicinal dithioethers
Authors: Shi Jing , Xiao Qian , Zhong Jian-Ji
Published: October 2024

A simple cobalt-catalytic aerobic approach for the direct dithiolation of unactivated alkenes with thiols has been established, enabling efficient access to symmetric and unsymmetric vicinal dithioethers under mild reaction conditions.
Exploration of the synergistic regulatory mechanism of hydroxide and fluoride modification on the photocatalytic activity of 2D g-C3N4
Authors: Shang Qianqian , Wang Hongbing , Kan Changjie , Ding Rui , Li Yankai , Pandeya Shiva , Li Ziliang , Joshi Mahesh Kumar
Published: October 2024

Exfoliation and hetero-element doping are common procedures for band gap engineering and enhancing the photocatalytic properties of g-C3N4.
A fluoride gradient, Zn-salt-rich hydrophobic interphase formed by a zincophilic, hydrophobic, anion-philic polymer “skin” for an anode-free solid Zn battery
Authors: Han Xinpeng , Han Jinpeng , Ma Kang , Wen Jiaqi , Li Lianpeng , Han Daliang , Sun Jie
Published: October 2024

A Zn2+·OC group-derived contact ion pair (CIP)/aggregate (AGG)-rich electrolyte is fabricated to generate a fluoride gradient, Zn-salt-rich hydrophobic solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer with ultrahigh mechanical properties.
Self-assembled infinite silver cluster with atomic precision as a scalable catalyst for CO2-electroreduction under industry-relevant reaction rates
Authors: Curet Leonard , Lafargue dit-Hauret William , Benet-Buchholz Jordi , Martínez-Belmonte Marta , Foix Dominique , Palomares Emilio , Billon Laurent , Begué Didier , Viterisi Aurelien
Published: October 2024

Scalable infinite silver acetylide cluster as a CO2 reduction catalyst with high selectivity for CO at industry-relevant rates.
Influence of redox engineering on the trade-off relationship between thermopower and electrical conductivity in lanthanum titanium based transition metal oxides
Authors: El Loubani Mohammad , Yang Gene , Kouzehkanan Seyed Morteza Taghavi , Oh Tae-Sik , Balijepalli Santosh Kiran , Lee Dongkyu
Published: October 2024

Metal exsolution, driven by the unique redox flexibility and defect chemistry of oxides, breaks the tradeoff between thermopower and electrical conductivity by enabling synergistic energy filtering and the injection of high-mobility electrons.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel D-ring fused steroidal N(2)-substituted-1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: Tenjović Branislava , Bekić Sofija , Ćelić Andjelka , Petri Edward , Scholda Julia , Kopp Florian , Sakač Marija , Nikolić Andrea
Published: October 2024

In this study, a series of 13 new D-ring fused steroidal N(2)-substituted-1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their biological activities.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of β-lactams as potent antidiabetic agents
Authors: Shaheen Salma , Arshad Jahan Zaib , Haider Mansoor , Ashraf Adnan , Ahmad Muhammad Mahboob , Ashfaq Muhammad , Ismail Mostafa A. , Najam Tayyaba , Shah Syed Shoaib Ahmad
Published: October 2024

The in vitro, in vivo, antioxidant, molecular docking, and physiochemical studies supported the potential development of β-lactam B9 as an orally active antidiabetic drug due to its significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.
Highly efficient dimerization of isopentene catalyzed by MCM-41 supported phosphotungstic acid
Authors: Liu Ping , Ruan Haichao , Zhou Lei , Jin Liujun
Published: October 2024

A series of HPW/MCM-41 catalysts were prepared by impregnation for isopentene dimerization. The 20% PW/MCM-41 catalyst achieved 77.8% conversion, 93.5% selectivity for C10, and 72.7% yield at 70 °C, 1 MPa for 5 h, with excellent reusability.
ZIF-L-derived FeN–hcC catalysts with curved carbon surfaces for effective oxygen reduction reaction over the entire pH range
Authors: Dai Xu , Zhao Zhenlu
Published: October 2024

We prepared hierarchical porous FeN–hcC catalysts derived from ZIF-L by soft template method. The highly curved carbon surface enhances the activity and stability of the catalyst, showing excellent catalytic activity over the entire pH range.
Folic acid-targeted redox responsive polylactic acid-based nanoparticles co-delivering pirarubicin and salinomycin suppress breast cancer tumor growth in vivo
Authors: Gupta Priya , Bansal Ankushi , Kaur Harshdeep , Anees Mohd , Singh Neetu , Singh Harpal
Published: October 2024

Schematic illustration of design, administration, and mechanism of action of Pira/Sal dual-loaded FA-conjugated redox responsive [S-(PLA-b-PEG-CONH)]2 block copolymeric nanoparticles.
Rapid fabrication of tunable structural color patterns by spray-coating
Authors: Huang Jingran , Liu Guiwu , Lü Ting , Bai Ling
Published: October 2024

We propose a simple spray-coating process that enables the control of both ordered and disordered structures, with tunable optical properties, suitable for colloidal patterning on various substrates.
Engineering circularly polarized light emission in nanostructured oligodimethylsiloxane-helicene chiral materials
Authors: Cadeddu Stefano , van den Bersselaar Bart W. L. , de Waal Bas , Cordier Marie , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Meskers Stefan C. J. , Vantomme Ghislaine , Crassous Jeanne
Published: October 2024

Nanostructured oligodimethylsiloxane-helicene-pyrene chiral materials exhibit an excimeric response and improved CPL activity in the bulk state.
Co-nucleated Co doped SnO2/SnS2 heterostructures to facilitate diffusion towards high-performance Li and Na ion storage
Authors: Hao Kunyu , Zhang Ruixiao , Chen Mingyue , Lu Yu , Qi Pengcheng , Wang Yanxin , Wu Hao , Tang Yiwen
Published: October 2024

The incorporation of Co2+ and the construction of heterostructures effectively enhance ion diffusion and reaction kinetics, thereby contributing to the high-performance storage of lithium and sodium ions.
Critical metal recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries’ leaching solution using electrodialysis technologies: strategies and challenges
Authors: Zhang Tianshu , Qian Yijun , Zhang Changyong , Qian Tao , Yan Chenglin
Published: October 2024

This review overviews the recent advances in electrodialysis (ED) in extracting critical metals from spent battery leachate. In addition, strategies and challenges regarding ED techniques toward battery recycling are pointed out.
LiTMP-LiBr complex-induced lateral lithiation and cross ester condensation: direct access to isocoumarins from 2-methoxy o-toluate esters
Authors: Rehman Mintu , Daimary Sajib , Madhusudhana Rasajna , Goreti Rajendar
Published: October 2024

LiTMP-LiBr complex promotes cross-ester coupling of 2-methoxy o-toluate esters to directly yield isocoumarin is demonstrated. Method applied to many natural product precursors including synthesis of (+)- and (−)-lunatinins.
Achieving lysozyme functionalization in PDADMAC–NaPSS saloplastics through salt annealing
Authors: Li Jiaying , Li Lijie , Lindhoud Saskia
Published: October 2024

Salt treatments enable the functionalization of hot-pressed saloplastics with lysozyme.
Domino dehydration/intermolecular (enantioselective) ketone-ene reactions catalysed by a simple solid in batch and in flow
Authors: Espinosa Miguel , Leyva-Pérez Antonio
Published: October 2024

Extremely cheap solids catalyse the one-pot dehydration/intermolecular ketone-ene reaction in batch and in flow, and also enantioselectively.
Energy exchange between Nd3+ and Er3+ centers within molecular complexes
Authors: Maniaki Diamantoula , Sickinger Annika , Barrios Leoní A. , Aguilà David , Roubeau Olivier , Guyot Yannick , Riobé François , Maury Olivier , Abad Galán Laura , Aromí Guillem
Published: October 2024

A pure heterometallic coordination complex featuring the [ErNdEr] at the core has unveiled an unprecedented phenomenon of two simultaneous intramolecular energy energy transfer between Nd3+ and Er3+.
Tailoring lattice chlorine in perovskite through dual-additive engineering for enhanced photovoltaic performance
Authors: Ma Dun , He Jingwen , Sheng Jie , Shao Wu , Deng Zhihao , Cen Ronghao , Fu Yufei , Wu Wenjun
Published: October 2024

This research investigates chloride residues originating from MACl in perovskite solar cells. A dual-additive strategy employing MACl and DMACl effectively mitigates it in printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells, leading to enhanced efficiency.
Tailoring the electrocatalytic properties of novel microwave synthesized CuNd(2−x)GdxO4 nanoparticles for efficient total water splitting in alkaline media
Authors: Priyanka E Anto , Nagappan Sreenivasan , Vijaya J. Judith , Sankaramahalingam Angappan , Kundu Subrata
Published: October 2024

CuNd(2−x)GdxO4 nanoparticles synthesized via microwave method as efficient OER and HER catalysts require low overpotentials exhibiting remarkable stability. Gd doping enhances charge transfer leading to optimized electrocatalysis.
Photophysical, thermal and imaging studies on vancomycin functional branched poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) of differing degrees of branching containing nile red for detection of Gram-positive bacteria
Authors: Swift Thomas , Hoskins Richard , Kalinichenko Mariya , Katsikogianni Maria , Daigneault Marc , Rimmer Stephen
Published: October 2024

Highly branched poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) additives chain end functionalised with vancomycin have been designed to agglutinate and report on targetted Gram-positive strains of bacteria (S. aureus).
Short‐circuit current of a hydropower plant with consideration of constant switching and fault arc voltages
Authors: Brankovic Darko , Schuerhuber Robert
Published: October 2024

The correct generator circuit breaker (GCB) dimensioning is essential for the safe and reliable operation of a power plant or generation system. The dimensioning is usually based on standardized calculation methods according to standards (IEC standard 60909‐0, IEC/IEEE standard 62271‐37‐013, IEEE Std C37), often supplemented by selected transient calculations. A non‐systematic approach can often be observed here, which does not adequately take into account significant influencing variables or operating states of the generator. This article therefore systematically examines various parameters that influence the short‐circuit current components of the generator and are relevant for the dimensioning of the generator circuit‐breaker: short‐circuit angle, operating point, impedance ratios, phase clearing, switching arc, and fault arc. The results of the current parameters most relevant to the dimensioning of the GCB were then compared for different calculation methods. Special attention was paid to the effect of the switching and fault arc, which were modelled as a constant arc voltage, and its effect on the short‐circuit currents is systematically recorded. This work aims to summarize all relevant variables that influence the generator short‐circuit current and are relevant for the dimensioning of the GCB and to present the different results based on a short‐circuit calculation according to the standard and transient calculation to create a basis for a proper dimensioning of the generator circuit breaker.