bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the therapeutic mechanisms of Coptidis Rhizoma in gastric precancerous lesions: a network pharmacology approach
Authors: Ye Xuxing , Yang Chao , Xu Hanzhi , He Qin , Sheng Lin , Lin Junmei , Wang Xiaobo
Published: June 2024

Background

Gastric precancerous lesions are a critical stage in the development of gastric cancer or gastric adenocarcinoma, and their outcome plays an important role in the malignant progression of gastric cancer. Coptidis Rhizoma has a good effect on Gastric precancerous lesions. However, the specific mechanisms of its action remain incompletely elucidated.

Methods

Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to explore the active ingredients and molecular mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma in treating gastric precancerous lesions. The active compounds of Coptidis Rhizoma and their potential gastric precancerous lesions related targets were obtained from TCMSP, GeneCards, and OMIM databases. An interaction network based on protein–protein interactions (PPIs) was constructed to visualize the interactions between hub genes. Analysis of GO enrichment and KEGG pathway were conducted using the DAVID database. An investigation of interactions between active compounds and potential targets was carried out by molecular docking. Finally, animal experiments were conducted to verify the effect and mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma in treating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.

Results

A total of 11 active compounds and 95 anti-gastric precancerous lesions targets of Coptidis Rhizoma were screened for analysis. GO enrichment analysis showed that the mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma acting on gastric precancerous lesions involves gene expression regulation and apoptosis regulation. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that Coptidis Rhizoma against gastric precancerous lesions involving the AKT /HIF-1α/VEGF signalling pathway. Molecular docking simulations indicated potential interactions between these compounds and core targets involved in anti-gastric precancerous lesions activity. In addition, it was confirmed in vivo that Berberine and Coptidis Rhizoma may reverse atrophy and potential intestinal metaplasia by inhibiting the expression of p-AKT, HIFA, and VEGF.

Conclusion

Bioactive compounds in Coptidis Rhizoma have the potential to prevent atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. These compounds function by regulating the proteins implicated in AKT /HIF-1α/VEGF signalling pathways that are crucial in gastric epithelial cell differentiation, proliferation and maturation.
The Importance of Wetland Science for the Success of the D-Day Landings
Authors: Dunn Christian , Aberg Dan
Published: June 2024

The success of the D-Day landings during World War II was significantly influenced by the detailed reconnaissance and scientific analysis of coastal substrate, particularly peatlands, by Allied wetland scientists. This paper examines the critical role of wetland science in ensuring the feasibility of the Normandy invasion. Initial geological intelligence raised concerns about the stability of the beaches due to extensive peat deposits underlying the Normandy coast. To address uncertainties, the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP) conducted covert beach surveys, collecting substrate samples crucial for operational planning. These missions, undertaken under challenging conditions, identified suitable landing areas by analysing sediment composition and bearing capacities. The success of D-Day was, in part, attributed to the insights provided by wetland scientists, who highlighted the significance of substrate properties in operational success. Their contributions underscored the interdisciplinary nature of wartime planning, integrating scientific expertise with military strategy. This study illuminates the often-overlooked role of wetland science in pivotal historical events, emphasising its influence on strategic decision-making and operational outcomes during one of the 20th century’s defining battles.
Polyethylene microplastics as adsorbent of diazinon in aqueous environments: optimization, and modeling, isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies
Authors: Yari Mohammadreza , Bonyadi Ziaeddin , Najafpoor Aliasghar , Barikbin Behnam
Published: June 2024

MPs have raised significant public concern due to their role as carriers of organic contaminants in aqueous solutions. DZN is a non-systemic organophosphorus pesticide that poses risks to human and environmental health. This study aimed to investigate the adsorption of DZN onto PE MPs by examining factors such as PE dose, reaction time, pesticide concentration, and pH through experimental runs based on the Box‒Behnken model. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of PE for DZN was 0.35 mg/g. The results indicated that the highest adsorption rate of DZN (92%) was observed in distilled water, while the lowest adsorption rate (57%) was observed in municipal wastewater. The ΔH° and ΔS° values were obtained as − 0.16 kJ/mol and 54.41 J/(mol K), respectively. Therefore, regarding negative ΔG° values, it can be concluded that the adsorption of DZN onto PE MPs is an exothermic, highly disordered, and spontaneous process. The findings indicate a reduction in the adsorption rate of DZN as the concentrations of interfering compounds increase. These findings offer understanding of the interaction between MPs and organic contaminants, emphasizing the need for further studies and approaches to reduce their harmful impact on human health and the environment.
Integrating FAIR Experimental Metadata for Multi-omics Data Analysis
Authors: Doniparthi Gajendra , Mühlhaus Timo , Deßloch Stefan
Published: June 2024

The technological advancements in bio-science research are resulting in the generation of vast amounts of complex and heterogeneous data sets from individual studies. Efficient Research Data Management solutions based on FAIR principles can guide the research groups toward standardizing and packaging the study-specific research results into uniquely identifiable digital objects that are easily traceable and identifiable, leading to knowledge discovery, collaboration, and innovation. However, to explore the inter-dependencies among data sets originating from different study disciplines, it is crucial to deploy a generic data-centric RDM solution that overcomes inherent challenges and helps manage complex data sets. This solution should respect participating groups’ data and security policies while providing an integrated data view. In this paper, we introduce , a cloud-native search & exploration application that integrates experimental metadata from individual research groups that have deployed PLANTdataHUB (FAIR-RDM) solution. The focus is on the parts of PLANTdataHUB and ARC Registry that facilitate near-real-time integration of experimental metadata from standardized digital objects (Annotated Research Contexts) across participating research groups.
Suspicious behaviour detection in multilayer social networks using PF-KMA and SS-GAE techniques
Authors: Sandeep B. L. , Siddesh G. M. , Naresh E.
Published: June 2024

Multilayer Social networks are an important part of human life to interact on different networks at the same time. Due to the openness of such networks, they become a platform for spammers to spread malicious behaviors. Hence, there is an urgent need for effective detection of malicious behaviors; thereby, enabling the networks to take mitigation actions to decrease the possibility to reward such activities. Detection of suspicious behaviors in previous works is challenging due to the problems of community detection, the large amount of feature corruption, and memory requirements. Thus, to deal with such problems, in this paper, an efficient clustering-based detection of malicious users in multilayer social networks is proposed. Initially, the input dataset is pre-processed and used for Exponential Distribution based Erdős–Rényi based graph construction. From the graph structure, two types of data, such as user representations and graph features are extracted for graph encoding using the Soft Sign activated Graph Auto Encoder model. Then, the decoding is done to predict the information diffusion level, thereby, ranking the users using the Laplace Regularization technique. Then, the ranked users are clustered into different groups using the Pareto Front based K-Means Clustering Algorithm technique. Finally, the experimental results were analyzed to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed model to detect malicious users in multilayer social networks.
Artificial intelligence applied to laparoscopic cholecystectomy: what is the next step? A narrative review
Authors: Fernicola Agostino , Palomba Giuseppe , Capuano Marianna , De Palma Giovanni Domenico , Aprea Giovanni
Published: June 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasing role in several fields of medicine. AI is also used during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) surgeries. In the literature, there is no review that groups together the various fields of application of AI applied to LC. The aim of this review is to describe the use of AI in these contexts. We performed a narrative literature review by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase for all studies on AI applied to LC, published from January 01, 2010, to December 30, 2023. Our focus was on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analysis, systematic reviews, and observational studies, dealing with large cohorts of patients. We then gathered further relevant studies from the reference list of the selected publications. Based on the studies reviewed, it emerges that AI could strongly improve surgical efficiency and accuracy during LC. Future prospects include speeding up, implementing, and improving the automaticity with which AI recognizes, differentiates and classifies the phases of the surgical intervention and the anatomic structures that are safe and those at risk.
Analytical Modeling Methods in Machining: A State of the Art on Application, Recent Challenges, and Future Trends
Authors: Korkmaz Mehmet Erdi , Gupta Munish Kumar , Sarikaya Murat , Günay Mustafa , Boy Mehmet , Yaşar Nafiz , Demirsöz Recep , Pehlivan Fatih
Published: June 2024

Information technology applications are crucial to the proper utilization of manufacturing equipment in the new industrial age, i.e., Industry 4.0. There are certain fundamental conditions that users must meet to adapt the manufacturing processes to Industry 4.0. For this, as in the past, there is a major need for modeling and simulation tools in this industrial age. In the creation of industry-driven predictive models for machining processes, substantial progress has recently been made. This paper includes a comprehensive review of predictive performance models for machining (particularly analytical models), as well as a list of existing models' strengths and drawbacks. It contains a review of available modeling tools, as well as their usability and/or limits in the monitoring of industrial machining operations. The goal of process models is to forecast principal variables such as stress, strain, force, and temperature. These factors, however, should be connected to performance outcomes, i.e., product quality and manufacturing efficiency, to be valuable to the industry (dimensional accuracy, surface quality, surface integrity, tool life, energy consumption, etc.). Industry adoption of cutting models depends on a model's ability to make this connection and predict the performance of process outputs. Therefore, this review article organizes and summarizes a variety of critical research themes connected to well-established analytical models for machining processes.
Addressing Criminal Liability for Misuse of Trade Secrets Under Australian Law: Is the Current Legal Framework Adequate to Protect the Interests of Owners of Trade Secrets?
Authors: Nashkova Suzana
Published: June 2024

The emergence and dominance of knowledge-based economies have heightened the importance of trade secrets as a “currency” for attaining competitiveness in the market and driving innovation. Yet espousing policies to govern trade secret protection, especially in the criminal law sphere, was not something on which legislative and regulatory policymakers traditionally focused. Recent legislative incentives at a global level have caused the tide to shift and, after decades of being somewhat neglected, the questions pertaining to criminal liability for trade secret misuse are finally gaining attention. The Australian response to recent initiatives ensued in 2018 with the enactment of the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018 (Cth) (“EFI Act”) which introduced the first statutory provisions dedicated to criminalisation of state-sponsored theft (economic espionage) of trade secrets. This Act, however, does not provide a comprehensive legal framework to address criminal liability for trade secret misuse, as it leaves outside the scope of its regulation the criminalisation of the theft of trade secrets by individuals for their own benefit. This paper analyses the adequacy of the Australian legal regime concerning criminal liability for trade secret misuse. The analysis is informed by a comparison of the legal provisions of the Australian trade secret regime with that adopted in the United States (“U.S.”) which currently offers a comprehensive framework of protection and criminalises economic espionage as well as the theft of trade secrets. This comparative analysis serves to determine: first, whether the “one way” avenue of statutory protection under Australian law suffices to protect the interests of the owners of trade secrets; and, second, whether a potential reform of the regime designed to include dedicated statutory provisions to criminalise the theft of trade secrets, as is the case in the U.S., could potentially afford a more adequate protection of the interests of trade secret owners.
Vignettes: an innovative qualitative data collection tool in Medical Education research
Authors: Western Sylvia Joshua , McEllistrem Brian , Hislop Jane , Jaap Alan , Hope David
Published: June 2024

This article describes how to make use of exemplar vignettes in qualitative medial education research. Vignettes are particularly useful in prompting discussion with participants, when using real-life case examples may breach confidentiality. As such, using vignettes allows researchers to gain insight into participants’ thinking in an ethically sensitive way.
Analysis of geological factors affecting propagation behavior of fracture during hydraulic fracturing shale formation
Authors: Gong Xun , Ma Xinhua , Liu Yuyang
Published: June 2024

The complexity of hydraulic fracture network generation during the fracturing of shale reservoirs is a key indicator of the effectiveness of fracture stimulation. To obtain as large a reservoir stimulation volume as possible, this paper reviews articles on the study of hydraulic fracture propagation mechanism during hydraulic fracturing, analyses the factors affecting hydraulic fracture propagation, and classifies them into two categories: geological factors and engineering factors. In particular, the geological factors affecting hydraulic fracture propagation are classified into five categories: mineral composition of the shale, connections between mineral grains, defects in the shale, geostress, and temperature. Various influencing factors act together, resulting in the hydraulic fracture propagation path is difficult to predict. Therefore, this paper firstly explores the hydraulic fracture propagation pattern under the action of single geological factors and specifies its action mechanism; secondly, it also analyses the hydraulic fracture propagation pattern under the combined action of multiple geological factors and analyses its action mechanism. It is clear that relatively high brittle mineral content and temperature, low stress anisotropy and cementation strength, and a more developed natural fracture network are conducive to the generation of a complex fracture network. By analyzing the influence mechanism of single factors and multiple factors, the influence mechanism of geological factors on hydraulic fracture propagation is identified, guiding the optimal design of hydraulic fracturing.
The Effect of Zr and Li on the Microstructure of AlMg5Si2Mn-Type Casting Alloys
Authors: Boyko Viktoriya , Mykhalenkov Kostiantyn , Springer Armin , Kessler Olaf
Published: June 2024

In the article, the authors present results of microstructural studies of Al-Mg-Si-Mn casting alloys with Zr, Li, and TiB2 additions on a broad scale. Zirconium content was set on two levels: 0.34 and 1.58 wt%, and Li was set 1.2 and 2.0 wt%. It was found that the addition of Zr shifts the eutectic melting temperature to a higher level, up to 611.3 °C at 1.6 wt% Zr. At the same time, Li addition leads to the depression of eutectic melting temperature: down to 587.2 °C at 2.0 wt% Li, what is a common effect of eutectic modification which was confirmed by means of structural examinations. The complex addition of Li and AlTi5B1 resulted in a eutectic melting temperature close to the equilibrium eutectic temperature for the Al-Mg-Si system (596.2 °C). The grain refinement effect of Zr is due to the nucleation of α-Al on the Zr(Al1−x, Six)3 phase. Crystals of this phase were detected in the grain centers of Zr-containing alloys. The Li addition does not affect α-Al grain size but changes the morphology of eutectic colonies from petal-like to fibrous. Observation of TiB2 particles inside the primary Mg2Si crystals gives direct experimental confirmation of nucleation of the primary phase on the surface of TiB2 in the alloy after adding Li and AlTi5B1. Natural aging of the alloys resulted in the formation of fine precipitates detected close to dislocations. The most apparent supposition is that the mechanism responsible for their formation is heterogeneous nucleation in the stress field of dislocations. Hardness tests showed adding 2.0 wt% of Li is very effective, increasing hardness up to 113 HV0.2 in naturally aged condition, which is nearly double that of commercial Al-Mg-Si die-casting alloy. Several effects were proposed which may synergistically contribute to the rise of hardness in Li-containing alloys, such as solid solution strengthening, formation of primary LiAlSi phase and natural aging.
Theoretical and experimental constraints for the equation of state of dense and hot matter
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Dexheimer Veronica , Jahan Johannes , Noronha Jorge , Noronha-Hostler Jacquelyn , Ratti Claudia , Yunes Nico , Nava Acuna Angel Rodrigo , Alford Mark , Anik Mahmudul Hasan , Chatterjee Debarati , Chatziioannou Katerina , Chen Hsin-Yu , Clevinger Alexander , Conde Carlos , Cruz-Camacho Nikolas , Dore Travis , Drischler Christian , Elfner Hannah , Essick Reed , Friedenberg David , Ghosh Suprovo , Grefa Joaquin , Haas Roland , Haber Alexander , Hammelmann Jan , Harris Steven , Haster Carl-Johan , Hatsuda Tetsuo , Hippert Mauricio , Hirayama Renan , Holt Jeremy W. , Kahangirwe Micheal , Karthein Jamie , Kojo Toru , Landry Philippe , Lin Zidu , Luzum Matthew , Manning Timothy Andrew , Salinas San Martin Jordi , Miller Cole , Most Elias Roland , Mroczek Debora , Muronga Azwinndini , Patino Nicolas , Peterson Jeffrey , Plumberg Christopher , Price Damien , Providencia Constanca , Rougemont Romulo , Roy Satyajit , Shah Hitansh , Shapiro Stuart , Steiner Andrew W. , Strickland Michael , Tan Hung , Togashi Hajime , Portillo Vazquez Israel , Wen Pengsheng , Zhang Ziyuan ,   MUSES Collaboration
Published: June 2024

This review aims at providing an extensive discussion of modern constraints relevant for dense and hot strongly interacting matter. It includes theoretical first-principle results from lattice and perturbative QCD, as well as chiral effective field theory results. From the experimental side, it includes heavy-ion collision and low-energy nuclear physics results, as well as observations from neutron stars and their mergers. The validity of different constraints, concerning specific conditions and ranges of applicability, is also provided.
Interprofessionelle Konflikte von Grundschullehrkräften und sonderpädagogischen Lehrkräften im Kontext von Inklusion
Authors: Urbanek Claudia , Rank Astrid
Published: June 2024

In diesem empirischen Beitrag wird untersucht, welche Konflikte Grundschullehrkräfte und sonderpädagogische Lehrkräfte, die bei oder durch ihre interprofessionelle Kooperation in inklusiv arbeitenden Grundschulen entstehen, in ihrem Arbeitsalltag erleben. In der interpretativ-phänomenologischen Analyse der Interviewdaten zeigt sich, dass die Konfliktgegenstände (Issues) der Lehrkräfte beider Professionen bei den Erwartungen und Enttäuschungen im Bereich des professionellen Handelns und Umgangs mit den Kindern liegen. Für die aufgeworfenen Issues werden Ansatzpunkte für die Bearbeitung bzw. Lösung aufgezeigt. Es werden Schlussfolgerungen hinsichtlich der erforderlichen Professionalisierung im Umgang mit berufsbezogenen Konflikten und geeigneter Formate in der Lehrkräftebildung gezogen.
Sailing aboard the training ship Saltillo. An extracurricular experience in education for sustainable development
Authors: Rekalde-Rodríguez Itziar , Barrenechea Julieta , Zinkunegi-Goitia Olatz
Published: June 2024

International bodies demonstrate their commitment to the sustainability paradigm and the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) approach through university curricula and activities that address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. The literature suggests that extracurricular activities designed from such an approach play a vital role in working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they foster awareness, commitment and action. This paper explores the profile of students participating in an extracurricular ocean sustainability activity aboard the training ship Saltillo and the learning derived from it. The need arises from wanting to know some key ideas that can inspire the design and implementation of ESD-based extracurricular activities that promote the SDGs. The method consisted of a case study using e-logbooks, cover letters, Lego® Serious Play® and questionnaires as instruments. The results expose the students’ interests and academic and personal motivations to take part in the activity. Learning about sailing, sustainability, shared living, and self-awareness of their own transformation are also explored. The study offers ten tips to guide and inspire how extracurricular university activities based on the ESD approach and aimed at the SDGs can be designed.
The Healthy Context Paradox at a National/Country-Level: Is Victimisation associated with Worse Adjustment in Countries where the Average Level of Victimisation is Lower?
Authors: Agyekum-Hene Rhysvana , Smith Peter K. , Turunen Tiina , Salmivalli Christina
Published: June 2024

Recent research has highlighted the healthy context paradox (HCP), namely that the association between peer victimisation and psychological and social adjustment worsens in social contexts with lower average level of victimisation. Previous research has examined this phenomenon in relation to classroom- or school-level victimisation. We tested whether the HCP is applicable on a much wider scale, at national level. Besides country-level victimisation, we explored whether country-level economic inequality and social welfare protection moderate the victimisation-adjustment link. We used data from the HBSC 2013/2014 survey related to peer victimisation and five measures of health and wellbeing of 11-, 13- and 15-year-old boys and girls from 40 countries (N = 198,646) in Europe and North America, complemented with information on economic inequality (Gini index, available for 33 countries) and social protection (decommodification index, available for 25 countries). We confirmed an expected within-country correlation between higher levels of victimisation and poorer health and wellbeing for each measure and across countries; however this association had significant between-country variability. For country-level victimisation, there was evidence of a significant HCP effect for the measures of peer support and life satisfaction – but not for feeling low, health, and liking school.
Climate extreme scenarios affecting the Italian energy system with a multi-hazard approach
Authors: Faggian Paola , Trevisiol Arianna
Published: June 2024

The operation of the energy system can be compromised by extreme weather events that can impact generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, as well as energy demand, and will face even more critical situations in the coming decades due to ongoing climate change. The challenge concerns particularly the infrastructures with long technical life. To support decision makers in planning adaptation actions for increasing the resilience of the Italian Energy System, some analyses about the expected meteorological threats over Italy have been carried out. The study aims to identify the Italian regions more prone to climate extremes at short- (2021–2050), medium- (2041–2070) and long-term (2071–2100) by using 12 high-resolution Euro-CORDEX models under the emission pathways RCP8.5, RCP4.5 and RCP2.6. For this purpose, a subset of the WMO ETCCDI indices was used. In addition, a multi-hazard analysis was carried out by defining the three indices DRO, STO, and MUHZ to characterize respectively drought conditions, strong winds and heavy rainfalls, and the areas affected to multiple threats, considering the hazards at which power infrastructure are particularly vulnerable. At short term, under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 hypotheses, the Southern Italy and Islands will already have to deal with a significant increase of drought conditions, that are projected to progressively extend from summer to autumn and then to spring, whereas the Central-Northern Italy will be mainly affected by storms. A decrease of wet days and, consequently, a lengthening of dry spells are generally expected, but extreme precipitations will be more frequent and more destructive, in particular over Po Valley and the eastern Italian coasts. Po Valley, Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts are projected to be the areas most exposed to a plurality of threats, but no Italian region will be safe from an enhancement of climate change hazards both in frequency and intensity during the 21st century in all three RCPs, with more and more severe conditions from RCP2.6 to RCP8.5 and from short- to long-term.
Clinical Analysis of Y Chromosome Microdeletions and Chromosomal Aberrations in 1596 Male Infertility Patients of the Zhuang Ethnic Group in Guangxi
Authors: Shi Mingfang , Ma Shengjun , Huang Li , Huang Chaosheng , Wang Jing , Qin Xuemei , Luo Yibing , Xiong Yu , He Ningyu , Zeng Jianghui
Published: June 2024

The long arm of the Y chromosome (Yq) contains many amplified and palindromic sequences that are prone to self-reorganization during spermatogenesis, and tiny submicroscopic segmental deletions in the proximal Yq are called Y chromosome microdeletions (YCM). A retrospective study was conducted on male infertility patients of Zhuang ethnicity who presented at Reproductive Medical Center of Nanning between January 2015 and May 2023. Seminal fluid was collected for standard examination. YCM were detected by using a combination of multiplex PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. Preparation of peripheral blood chromosomes and karyotyping of chromosomes was performed. 147 cases (9.22%) of YCM were detected in 1596 male infertility patients of Zhuang ethnicity. Significant difference was found in the detection rate of YCM between the azoospermia group and the oligospermia group (P < 0.001). Of all types of YCM, the highest detection rate was AZFc (n = 83), followed by AZFb + c (n = 28). 264 cases (16.54%) of sex chromosomal aberrations were detected. The most prevalent karyotype was 47, XXY (n = 202). The detection rate of sex chromosomal aberrations in azoospermia group was higher than that in severe oligospermia group and oligospermia group, and the differences were significant (P < 0.001). 28 cases (1.57%) of autosomal aberrations and 105 cases (6.58%) of chromosomal polymorphism were identified. The current research has some limitations due to the lack of normal men as the control group but suggests that YCM and chromosomal aberrations represent key genetic factors influencing spermatogenesis in infertile males of Zhuang ethnicity in Guangxi.
The Effects of Low Concentrations of Pravastatin on Placental Cells
Authors: Kanda Masako , Kumasawa Keiichi , Nemoto Kazunari , Miyatake Risa , Inaba Kei , Sayama Seisuke , Seyama Takahiro , Iriyama Takayuki , Nagamatsu Takeshi , Fujii Tomoyuki , Hirota Yasushi , Osuga Yutaka , Kimura Tadashi
Published: June 2024

Pravastatin is a promising medication to treat preeclampsia. However, the appropriate dose of pravastatin for managing preeclampsia has not been established. In this in vitro study, we examined the effects of low concentrations of pravastatin (0.01 to 10 µM) under hypoxic conditions on two types of placental cells and found that pravastatin decreased sFlt-1 levels up to 34% in cytotrophoblast cells isolated from human term placentas. Furthermore, we showed that sFlt-1 levels in HTR-8/SVneo cells, a cell line derived from first trimester trophoblast cells, decreased after exposure to very low concentrations of pravastatin (0.01, 0.1 µM). We also examined the effects of pravastatin on uterine spiral artery remodeling-related events and showed in wound healing and tube formation assays that low concentrations of pravastatin upregulated cell migration and invasion in HTR-8/SVneo cells. These results demonstrated that a low dose of pravastatin has in vitro effects that suggest a potential for anti-preeclamptic effects in vivo.
Effect of Ti micro-addition on the hot tensile behaviour, microstructure and fractography of low-C high-manganese steels
Authors: Fojt-Dymara Gabriela , Opiela Marek , Grzegorczyk Barbara , Gołombek Klaudiusz , Grajcar Adam
Published: June 2024

The aim of the work was to determine the effect of Ti micro-addition on the hot tensile behaviour, microstructure and fractography of two low-C high-manganese steels with additions of Si and Al. The hot tensile tests were performed using the Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator. Samples were stretched at a temperature range from 1050 ℃ to 1200 ℃ at a strain rate of 2.5·10 3 s−1. The microstructure of the tested high-manganese steels under conditions of hot deformation was influenced by strain hardening and simultaneous dynamic recrystallization, as well as precipitation processes-depending on the chemical composition of the alloy and plastic deformation parameters. The analysis of the curves registered in the hot tensile tests indicated that a decrease of strain hardening was the result of the dynamic recrystallization. Hot tensile curves of the Ti-micro-alloyed steel were characterized by higher yield stress compared to the Ti-free steel. The Ti micro-addition with a concentration of 0.075 wt.% guaranteeing stable TiN-type nitrides eliminated the possibility of precipitating AlN-type nitrides and complex MnS-AlN type non-metallic inclusions, which are harmful to hot ductility. Fracture modes of the Ti-free steel showed a mixed nature from 1050 ℃ to 1150 °C, i.e. ductile fracture and numerous cavities and voids were identified. As the deformation temperature increased to 1200 °C, the fracture character was brittle with numerous inter-crystalline cracks along austenite grain boundaries. The addition of Ti improved significantly the hot ductility behaviour characterized by higher values of flow stress and reduction in area as well as ductile fracture modes in the entire high deformation temperature range.
How to gain control and influence algorithms: contesting AI to find relevant reasons
Authors: Kuilman Sietze Kai , Siebert Luciano Cavalcante , Buijsman Stefan , Jonker Catholijn M.
Published: June 2024

Relevancy is a prevalent term in value alignment. We either need to keep track of the relevant moral reasons, we need to embed the relevant values, or we need to learn from the relevant behaviour. What relevancy entails in particular cases, however, is often ill-defined. The reasons for this are obvious, it is hard to define relevancy in a way that is both general and concrete enough to give direction towards a specific implementation. In this paper, we describe the inherent difficulty that comes along with defining what is relevant to a particular situation. Simply due to design and the way an AI system functions, we need to state or learn particular goals and circumstances under which that goal is completed. However, because of both the changing nature of the world and the varied wielders and users of such implements, misalignment occurs, especially after a longer amount of time. We propose a way to counteract this by putting contestability front and centre throughout the lifecycle of an AI system, as it can provide insight into what is actually relevant at a particular instance. This allows designers to update the applications in such a manner that they can account for oversight during design.
A Practical Research Methods Course That Teaches How to Be a Successful Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student
Authors: Acuña Samuel A.
Published: June 2024

Should your department offer a course on how to be a scientist and a successful graduate student? We offer this course at George Mason University as a mandatory part of the graduate curriculum, but this is not common practice for graduate biomedical engineering programs. Graduate education in biomedical engineering is evolving rapidly, with an increasing demand for fundamental research skills, interdisciplinary skills, and professional development. We believe that graduate students will be more successful in their research activities if they are explicitly taught these skills at the beginning of their graduate coursework. This paper describes the design of this course in our bioengineering department.
Prevalence and Characteristics of People with Disabilities Among Abused Victims in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alangari Abdulaziz S. , Alammari Duaa , Alhowaish Norah , Almutairi Waseemah , Alnjeidi Zainab , Aleissa Majid
Published: June 2024

Background

Abuse is an ongoing public health issue that results in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Abuse against individuals with disabilities is a pervasive and deeply concerning issue, often compounded by factors of vulnerability and dependence. The majority of disabled individuals experience abuse, with the majority enduring it repeatedly. Identifying the problem is the first step towards preventing abuse. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of people with disabilities among abused victims and the victim’s associated risk factors in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study obtained data from the National Family Safety Registry. All registered children and adults between April 2017 and December 2022 from 93 centers across 13 regions of Saudi Arabia were included. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between independent variables and victim-related risk factors such as the onset of abuse complications, the victim being an adult or child, the victim’s gender, and whether they had been previously abused.

Results

Individuals with disabilities comprise 1.4% (n = 199) of all reported cases of abuse (n = 14,004), and the trend of violence against people with disabilities has decreased during the 6-year study period. Of the abused people with disabilities, 72.4% were children, 57.8% were males, 45.2% were previously abused, and 65.3% had complications from the abuse. Caregiver type, perpetrator gender, perpetrator age, and previous abuse status were significant factors.

Conclusions

This study highlights the disability prevalence among reported abuse cases and evaluates victim’s risk factors in Saudi Arabia, which demonstrates an urgency for targeted intervention and support. People with disabilities constitute a vulnerable demographic who require increased support and resources. Comprehensive data collection can be utilized for effective violence prevention strategies. Further research should explore qualitative methods and survey the rates of abuse among people with disabilities in the community to gain deeper insights.
Safety and Feasibility of Electrocardiogram-Guided Tip Positioning Combined with Ultrasound-Guided Placement of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Performed in Severe Brain Injury Patients
Authors: Jiang Xiaoli , Li Xiangzhi , Ouyang Bin , Yan Lingyan , Gu Qiaofang , Mei Meihua , Wang Lingyan
Published: June 2024

Objective

To explore the safety and feasibility of using electrocardiogram (ECG)-guided tip positioning combined with ultrasound-guided placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in patients with severe brain injury in a neurosurgery intensive care unit.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 400 patients who underwent PICC catheterization in a neurosurgery intensive care unit from January 2017 to January 2021. Of those, a group of 157 patients received only ultrasound-guided PICC placement. The second group (243 patients) received ECG-guided tip positioning combined with ultrasound-guided PICC placement. A logistic regression analysis was conducted on gender, arm circumference, and ECG usage based on whether the results were in place. The positioning accuracy, success rate of primary catheterization, incidence of ectopic catheters, average catheterization depth, and incidence of catheterization complications were observed.

Results

Logistic regression analysis showed that only ECG guidance helps to achieve accurate PICC (OD, 4.541; 95CI, 2.224–9.271; p < 0.001). The correct placement rate of the PICC tip was significantly higher in ECG-guided tip positioning combined with the ultrasound guidance group (90.73%) compared to the ultrasound-only group (79.00%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of difficult catheter delivery and replace the punctured vessel, and the incidences of blocked blood return in the ECG-plus-ultrasound group was significantly better than the ultrasound group (9.55%) (χ2 = 14.402, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In patients with severe brain injury, ECG-guided tip positioning combined with ultrasound guidance in PICC catheterization can significantly increase the rate of correct tip placement without increasing the difficulty of catheterization.
Biopolymer-based sustainable Internet of Things for smart homes
Authors: Lebedev Vladimir , Lebedeva Katerina , Cherkashina Anna , Voronkin Andrij , Kopach Volodymyr , Petrushenko Sergey , Fedonenko Alina , Klochko Natalja
Published: June 2024

In the infrastructure of the future, based on intelligent computerized systems and control and monitoring devices, the smart home is part of the Internet of Things (IoT). However, in addition to the need to address energy consumption, the widespread adoption of smart homes may also exacerbate the growing problem of increasing amounts of non-recyclable e-waste from IoT devices. Compared to synthetic plastics, biopolymers offer many unique advantages such as robust structure, light weight, mechanical flexibility, biocompatibility, biodegradability and renewability. Biopolymers, which are abundant in natural products such as cellulose, silk fibroin, polylactic acid, chitosan, collagen, keratin, alginate, starch and gelatin, have great promise for the production of environmentally friendly Internet of Things devices. They are ideal candidates for the use of low-temperature sol–gel coating and ink-printing processes to facilitate the development of low-cost, large-area flexible electronic devices. This work presents developments known from the literature, as well as the results of original research on the use of biopolymer materials to create flexible, wearable and textile electronic devices, such as sensors, energy storage devices and nanogenerators, soft hydrogel actuators and wireless communication devices that are promising for the Internet of Things but have not yet been implemented in smart homes.

Graphical Abstract
LIMIT COMPLEXITIES, MINIMAL DESCRIPTIONS, AND n-RANDOMNESS
Authors: DOWNEY RODNEY , LIU LU , NG KENG MENG , TURETSKY DANIEL
Published: June 2024

Let K denote prefix-free Kolmogorov complexity, and let

$K^A$

denote it relative to an oracle A. We show that for any n,

$K^{\emptyset ^{(n)}}$

is definable purely in terms of the unrelativized notion K. It was already known that 2-randomness is definable in terms of K (and plain complexity C) as those reals which infinitely often have maximal complexity. We can use our characterization to show that n-randomness is definable purely in terms of K. To do this we extend a certain “limsup” formula from the literature, and apply Symmetry of Information. This extension entails a novel use of semilow sets, and a more precise analysis of the complexity of

$\Delta _2^0$

sets of minimal descriptions.
Eschatological naturalism and ecological responsibility: Troubling some assumptions
Authors: Tranter Samuel
Published: June 2024

The connection between ecological responsibility and differing conceptions of Christian eschatology is widely observed. It is often assumed that the necessary response to Christian environmental inaction is affirmation of a strongly this-worldly vision of new creation (so, influentially, N. T. Wright). However, recent systematic theology has seen retrieval of elements of eschatology that foreground discontinuity and transcendence (e.g. Hans Boersma). Moreover, there are exegetical challenges to continuationist claims (e.g. Markus Bockmuehl and Edward Adams) and doctrinal reactions to ‘eschatological naturalism’ (Katherine Sonderegger and Michael Allen). Where does this leave the connection between ecological witness and the content of Christian hope? Doubtless, continuationist accounts have some salutary emphases, but on exegetical, doctrinal and moral grounds I seek to disentangle the assumed compact of particular construals of this-worldly continuity and ethical commitment. Finally, drawing on James Cone's meditations upon black spiritual traditions, I explore how discontinuous interpretations of the life to come themselves need not undermine responsible action.
Kardeş Türküler as ‘art action’: The multiple cultural heritages of Anatolia
Authors: Eren Ozan
Published: June 2024

This article focuses on Kardeş Türküler, a band that reflects the multiple cultural heritages of Anatolia in its concerts and albums. Kardeş Türküler has taken a unique stance in choosing to express itself from a culturally pluralistic perspective rather than following a single language or identity. Referring to Kardeş Türküler as ‘art action’, and utilising the non-reductive methods of John Street that focus on the two-way interaction between music and politics, I conducted in-depth interviews in 2017, 2020 and 2021 with the core members and the former coach of the group regarding its intellectual roots and internal modus operandi. There are three main reasons for Kardeş Türküler's deep engagement with music as protest: being against the cultural–artistic policies of the Republican period; the political meaning of making multilingual music in Turkiye; and Kardeş Türküler's engagement with post-neoliberal street protests such as the Gezi Park movement.
International zones in global urban history
Authors: Ross Anna
Published: June 2024

This survey introduces the reader to the history of international zones. It argues that they offer striking insights into peacekeeping during the transition from a world of formal empires to one dominated by sovereign states. While the study of international zones is not new, there has been little examination of internationalization in practice. The survey suggests some of the benefits of adopting this approach and findings it might unearth.
Religion, spirituality, and susceptibility to conspiracy theories: examining the role of analytic thinking and post-critical beliefs
Authors: Jedinger Alexander , Siegers Pascal
Published: June 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the political and scholarly attention on conspiracy theories. Among other predictors, religious and spiritual influences on conspiracy beliefs have been widely discussed in the literature. We suggest analyzing the relationship between religion and spirituality on the one hand and conspiracy beliefs on the other hand from the perspective of religious information processing. Based on the Post-Critical Beliefs Scale (PCBS), we argue that literal interpretations of religious information are positively associated with conspiracy beliefs. Furthermore, we assume that individual differences in analytic cognitive style account for the relationship between religious attitudes, spirituality, and conspiracism. Using a quota sample of German adults, we find that literal interpretations of religious content positively correlate with conspiracy beliefs for the literal affirmation of transcendence (e.g., orthodoxy) and the literal disaffirmation of transcendence (e.g., atheism). These findings suggest that religious information processing is related to conspiracy beliefs for religious and nonreligious individuals. Moreover, our results show a stable association between holistic spirituality and conspiracy beliefs. The relationships between different types of religious attitudes, spirituality, and conspiracy beliefs hold, even after accounting for analytic (versus intuitive) thinking. The implications for the study of religious attitudes and conspiracy beliefs are discussed.
Improving Explainability of Deep Learning for Polarimetric Radar Rainfall Estimation
Authors: Li Wenyuan , Chen Haonan , Han Lei
Published: June 2024

Machine learning‐based approaches demonstrate a significant potential in radar quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) applications. In contrast to conventional methods that depend on local raindrop size distributions, deep learning (DL) can establish an effective mapping from three‐dimensional radar observations to ground rain rates. However, the lack of transparency in DL models poses challenges toward understanding the underlying physical mechanisms that drive their outcomes. This study aims to develop a DL‐based QPE system and provide a physical explanation of radar precipitation estimation process. This research is designed by employing a deep neural network consisting of two modules. The first module is a quantitative precipitation estimation network that has the capability to learn precipitation patterns and spatial distribution from multidimensional polarimetric radar observations. The second module introduces a quantitative precipitation estimation shapley additive explanations method to quantify the influence of each radar observable on the model estimate across various precipitation intensities.