bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on online fashion design based on consumer vision
Authors: Xu Shanshan
Published: April 2023

In the era of experience economy, consumers no longer pursue simple material life, but pursue higher levels of satisfaction. They begin to pay more attention to sensory and spiritual enjoyment, and the requirements for products are not only common basic functions. Major clothing enterprises and brands have started the service of personalized clothing customization, and the market for personalized clothing customization has become competitive. In this context, how to create a personalized clothing customization platform that can bring good user experience to consumers from the perspective of consumers is of great significance to those clothing enterprises that cannot play an advantage in products and those who want to gain long-term competitive advantage on the basis of having good products. Based on the needs of consumers, through the core content of interactive design, and through a detailed survey of the clothing personalized customization platform, this paper draws the feasibility and advantages of interactive design applied to clothing personalized customization.
A Critical Analysis of China’ s Implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty
Authors: Ying Keke
Published: April 2023

Everyone has a relatively equal right to seek and access information through media and people with print disabilities should not be discriminated. To provide equal opportunity and access to information for persons with print disabilities, the Marrakesh Treaty was signed on June 27, 2013. This paper illustrates the efforts made in the newly amended Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China and shows the challenges in the implementation of the Treaty faced by China. By comparing the practices and perspectives of different Contracting Parties, this paper focuses on the gaps and the salient issues in the current implementation in China, including the gap in the cross-border exchange, the introduction of the commercial unavailability clause, and the circumvention of technological protection measures. On this basis, potential solutions with the challenges faced by China at their core are also explored in this paper to improve the legislation and refine the supporting system in China.
A Comparative Study of Multimodal Discourse in Grammar Teaching Between the Chinese Novice Teacher and the Experienced Teacher-- Take Ba-Construction as an Example
Authors: He Xian
Published: April 2023

Based on the framework of multimodal discourse analysis, this paper uses ELAN 6.2 to annotate and quantitatively analyze the characteristics and differences in the use of multimodal discourse in the teaching videos of “Ba”-construction between a Chinese novice teacher and an experienced teacher. The results showed that among the four modal types, both the novice teacher and the experienced teacher used more behavioral modalities. With essentially the same teaching sessions, there was also consistency in the choice of modality. Environmental modality was used throughout the teaching. In the grammar teaching of the experienced teacher, the auditory modality was the main modality, and students made a lot of effective discourse output. He was good at using facial expressions and hand movements to guide students’ learning and creating a good learning environment. Teachers were more inclined to use hand movements (indicative) to guide students’ learning and convey clearer and more explicit messages. Grammar is taught through the judicious use of appropriate modalities or multimodal combinations in each teaching session. This study can provide some reference for the development of teachers’ grammar teaching in international Chinese education.
Chaotic Orders and Unbalanced Triangle--Interpretation of The Sound and the Fury from Lacan’s View
Authors: Sun Zhuangyan
Published: April 2023

The paper applies Lacan’s Three Order theory and Oedipus Triangle to the novel The Sound and the Fury to investigate the unconscious mechanisms of the three brothers to account for their behaviors. Banji, Quintin, and Jason respectively have breakdowns in three orders: the Imaginary, the Real, and the Symbolic. Banji’s isolation in the Imaginary imposes restrictions on his self-consciousness, reflected by his inability to language. He represents Oedipus who’s obstructed from becoming a conscious subject during the process of grasping the meanings of beings. Quintin, on the other hand, is unable to balance his desire in the Real and his identity in the Symbolic, like the Mother in the Oedipus Triangle, so the conflict between his complex for Caddy and the burden of the family and social conventions result in his collapse and eventual suicide. Jason relinquishes his emotions and desire to adapt to the Symbolic. Just like the Father in the Oedipus Triangle, under the Big Other’s control, his desire is coerced to be unified with the Symbolic. Therefore, he is forced to follow orders that he is oblivious of, and thus can’t attain pleasure for himself. With careful reflection on the individual analysis of the brothers’ pathologic psychosis, not only does The Sound and the Fury release more charm for sophisticated psychological depiction, but also a more general picture of human’s mental mechanism can form, warning people of their potential mental conflicts to help avert the tragedies happened in The Sound and the Fury.
Analysis of the portrayal of women in “Snow Country” through the lens of Mono-no-Aware: Taking the Youko as an Example
Authors: Huang Jiaqi
Published: April 2023

Mono-no-Aware is central to traditional Japanese culture and aesthetic consciousness, as well as the essence of Japanese literature. All aspects of Kawabata Yasunari’s masterpiece “Snow Country” are infused with the concept of Mono-no-Aware. The trend is most visible in the depiction of the female figure, Youko. In this study, we analyze the aesthetic consciousness of Mono-no-Aware in the portrayal of characters from both the front and the side, knowing they mainly appear in the aspects of “view of life” and “the interplay of sorrow and beauty”.
On the Consecutive Interpreting of Chinese Governmental Discourse from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory: The Interpreting of Premier Li Keqiang Meets the Press in 2022 as an Example
Authors: Zhang Xiaoda
Published: April 2023

The consecutive interpreting of governmental discourse shoulders the responsibility to represent the official stance of the country, and the seriousness of the discourse puts forward higher standards for interpreting output: interpreters should reasonably choose and adapt to various internal and external factors of both the source language and target language in order to assume the role of an accurate, authoritative, and immediate intermediary of information transfer. Adaptation theory just provides interpreters with standards for making choices and adaptations. Taking Verschueren’s adaptation theory as the theoretical framework, this study analyzes the consecutive interpreting of Premier Li Keqiang Meets the Press in 2022, a representative example of consecutive interpreting of Chinese governmental discourse, from the angles of contextual correlates of adaptability, structural objects of adaptability, and salience of the adaptation processes, aiming to explore how could interpreters adapt through language choices in Chinese governmental discourse, and to reveal the adaptation theory’s role as the standard and guidance for consecutive interpreting.
A Modified Arthroscopic Ulnar Tunnel Technique for Combined Foveal and Capsular (All-Inside) Fixation of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury
Authors: Simonsen Sabine , Gvozdenovic Robert
Published: April 2023

Background Traumatic disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is commonly present in various wrist traumas. A variation of surgical techniques is previously developed for different injury patterns. To our knowledge, only a few studies have investigated the fixation of combined foveal and capsular TFCC injuries using the ulnar tunnel technique.

Purpose This prospective cohort study of 21 patients aimed to evaluate the clinical and patient-reported outcome at 2 years of follow-up after arthroscopic TFCC of combined, foveal, and capsular reattachment by modified ulnar tunnel technique.

Methods Pain, grip strength, wrist motion, inclusive rotation, and patient-reported outcomes were assessed pre- and postoperatively at 2 years of follow-up.

Results No complications occurred preoperatively. Pain and patient-reported outcomes improved significantly (p < 0.0001 and 0.004). Grip strength improved, but not significantly (p = 0.088). The range of motion remained unchanged. All the patients achieved full stability of the distal radioulnar joint. Two patients sustained a new TFCC injury due to a wrist trauma and underwent a reoperation successfully. Two patients experienced complications: one patient experienced tenderness caused by cyst occurrence after PushLock ankers and the second had subluxation of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon subsheet. Both patients were successfully treated and reoperated on with curettage of the cyst, and reconstruction of the extensor carpi ulnaris retinaculum. All the patients ended with good or excellent satisfaction scores.

Conclusion The ulnar tunnel technique for combined foveal and capsular injuries shows promising short-term follow-up results and high satisfaction scores in the patients.

Level of Evidence II (Prospective Corhorte).
Augmented reality technology in enhancing learning retention and critical thinking according to STEAM program
Authors: Alkhabra Yaser A. , Ibrahem Usama M. , Alkhabra Saleh A.
Published: April 2023

According to the science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) program, this experimental research aims to advocate e-content based on augmented reality (AR) technology to enhance retention learning (LR) and reinforce critical thinking in the intermediate stage in Ha’il, KSA. Then, we study the interaction between the technology of AR design (image/mark) and the mental capacity of learners (high/low) in developing critical thinking (CT) and practical skills, i.e., the interaction between AR (image/mark) and gender. The study’s sample consisted of 120 8th-grade junior high school students from six schools in Ha’il. 63 of the 120 participants are females, while 57 are males. They were divided into 2 control and 8 experimental groups. Our analysis revealed that students’ LR and CT skills after using AR were better than before using AR. The first result we found was that implementing AR in educational realms impacted students’ LR. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were exhibited in overall CT skills between those with high and low mental capacity (MC), favoring those with high MC. Even more interestingly, according to the STEAM program, male students’ outcomes in science learning were more reinforced by AR than females’. Future research could quantify learning outcomes and look at underserved communities. Moreover, future studies could reveal the educational benefits of augmented reality-based active learning.
Predatory economics fuelling insecurity: violence and the commodification of labour in South Sudan
Authors: Bakumenko Stefan
Published: April 2023

This article explores how predatory economic processes play out in South Sudan, particularly in fuelling conflict and competition. It posits that issues of personal wealth and communal patronage are just as essential to understanding the conflict as politics, ideology and personal animosities. The article highlights the structural incentives for coercive economics and the commodification of labour. Exploring two case studies, it analyses how contests over the vital oil and cattle industries create insecurity in South Sudan, outlining the actors, methods and incentives involved in this economic violence. It concludes with opportunities for further research.
Analytic approach to the Landau–Zener problem in bounded parameter space
Authors: Matus Felipe , Střeleček Jan , Cejnar Pavel
Published: April 2023

Three analytic solutions to the Schrödinger equation for the time-dependent Landau–Zener (LZ) Hamiltonian are presented. They correspond to specific finite-time driving paths in a bounded parameter space of a two-level system. Two of these paths go through the avoided crossing of levels, either with a constant speed or with variable speed that decreases in the region of reduced energy gap, the third path bypasses the crossing such that the energy gap remains constant. The solutions yield exact time dependencies of the excitation probability for the system evolving from the ground state of the initial Hamiltonian. The LZ formula emerges as an approximation valid within a certain interval of driving times for the constant-speed driving through the avoided crossing. For long driving times, all solutions converge to the prediction of the adiabatic perturbation theory. The excitation probability vanishes at some discrete time instants.
Effects of early stages of prestretching on the aging kinetics in Al–Cu–Li–based alloy
Authors: Khushaim Muna
Published: April 2023

A combination of high hardness values and a low energy–consumption preparation method was used to induce the precipitation of the T1 phase in the Al alloy AA2195. This combination was obtained by subjecting the alloy samples to sequential and early stages of prestretching. Hardness testing and differential scanning calorimetry were employed to explore the behaviours of the hardness and enthalpy values as functions of the prestretching level applied before aging. Results demonstrated that the optimal aging thermomechanical conditions are (1) 150 °C for 10 h after applying prestretching levels of 0%, 1%, and 2% and (2) 150 °C for 20 h after applying prestretching levels of 3% and 4%. Under these conditions, the recorded enthalpy values for the formation of the T1 phase at prestretching levels of 0%, 1%, and 2% were 2.86, 1.72, and 1.14 J g−1, respectively and those obtained at prestretching levels of 3% and 4% were 1.43 and 1.27 J g−1, respectively.
Biologically plausible information propagation in a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor integrate-and-fire artificial neuron circuit with memristive synapses
Authors: Benatti Lorenzo , Zanotti Tommaso , Gandolfi Daniela , Mapelli Jonathan , Puglisi Francesco Maria
Published: April 2023

Neuromorphic circuits based on spikes are currently envisioned as a viable option to achieve brain-like computation capabilities in specific electronic implementations while limiting power dissipation given their ability to mimic energy-efficient bioinspired mechanisms. While several network architectures have been developed to embed in hardware the bioinspired learning rules found in the biological brain, such as spike timing-dependent plasticity, it is still unclear if hardware spiking neural network architectures can handle and transfer information akin to biological networks. In this work, we investigate the analogies between an artificial neuron combining memristor synapses and rate-based learning rule with biological neuron response in terms of information propagation from a theoretical perspective. Bioinspired experiments have been reproduced by linking the biological probability of release with the artificial synapse conductance. Mutual information and surprise have been chosen as metrics to evidence how, for different values of synaptic weights, an artificial neuron allows to develop a reliable and biological resembling neural network in terms of information propagation and analysis.
In-situ monitoring of plasmon-induced nanoscale photocatalytic activity from Au-decorated TiO2 microflowers
Authors: Sahoo Subhashree , Kumar Sahu Binaya , Shukla Shivam , Srivastava Sanjeev K , Sahoo Pratap K
Published: April 2023

Noble-metal-decorated semiconductor photocatalysts have attracted noticeable attention due to their enhanced photocatalytic activity. Herein, we have synthesized the pure rutile phase of TiO2 nanorods, with microflower morphology, using a hydrothermal method and decorated them with Au to observe plasmon-induced enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. The optical bandgap engineering through Au-decorated TiO2 introduces midgap states that help with charge compensation during photodegradation studies. The surface plasmonic resonance peak of Au is observed together with the defect peak of TiO2, extending the absorption of the solar spectrum from the UV to the visible region. The quenching in photoluminescence intensity with increased Au thickness indicates the formation of a Schottky junction at the interface of Au and TiO2 that helps to reduce photogenerated charge carrier recombination. The softening of the E
g
Raman mode and photothermal effects originate from the nonradiative decay of localized surface plasmons through electron–phonon and phonon–phonon relaxation. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine 6G is monitored by exposing the sample to UV and visible light sources under Raman spectroscopy. The Au decoration plays a crucial role in promoting charge separation, Schottky junction creation, photothermal effects, and UV to visible light absorption to enhance photocatalytic activity, which can be explained on the basis of the charge transfer mechanism. Our in-situ photodegradation study at the interface of noble metal and semiconducting materials will pave the way toward improving the understanding of plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic applications.
Region-specified inverse design of absorption and scattering in nanoparticles by using machine learning
Authors: Vallone Alex , Estakhri Nooshin M , Mohammadi Estakhri Nasim
Published: April 2023

Machine learning provides a promising platform for both forward modeling and the inverse design of photonic structures. Relying on a data-driven approach, machine learning is especially appealing for situations when it is not feasible to derive an analytical solution for a complex problem. There has been a great amount of recent interest in constructing machine learning models suitable for different electromagnetic problems. In this work, we adapt a region-specified design approach for the inverse design of multilayered nanoparticles. Given the high computational cost of dataset generation for electromagnetic problems, we specifically investigate the case of a small training dataset, enhanced via random region specification in an inverse convolutional neural network. The trained model is used to design nanoparticles with high absorption levels and different ratios of absorption over scattering. The central design wavelength is shifted across 350–700 nm without re-training. We discuss the implications of wavelength, particle size, and the training dataset size on the performance of the model. Our approach may find interesting applications in the design of multilayer nanoparticles for biological, chemical, and optical applications as well as the design of low-scattering absorbers and antennas.
Modeling selective narrowband light absorption in coaxial InAs-GaAs0.1Sb0.9 nanowires with partial shell segment coverage
Authors: Abrand Alireza , Anttu Nicklas , Mohseni Parsian K
Published: April 2023

Vertical III-V nanowire (NW) arrays are promising candidates for infrared (IR) photodetection applications. Generally, NWs with large diameters are required for efficient absorption in the IR range. However, increasing the NW diameter results in a loss of spectral selectivity and an enhancement in the photodetector dark current. Here, we propose a nanophotonic engineering approach to achieving spectrally-selective light absorption while minimizing the volume of the absorbing medium. Based on simulations performed using rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) techniques, we demonstrate dramatic tunability of the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) light absorption properties of InAs NWs with base segments embedded in a reflective backside Au layer and with partial GaAs0.1Sb0.9 shell segment coverage. Use of a backside reflector results in the generation of a delocalized evanescent field around the NW core segment that can be selectively captured by the partially encapsulating GaAs0.1Sb0.9 shell layer. By adjusting the core and shell dimensions, unity absorption can be selectively achieved in the 2 to 3 μm wavelength range. Due to the transparency of the GaAs0.1Sb0.9 shell segments, wavelength-selective absorption occurs only along the InAs core segments where they are partially encapsulated. The design presented in this work paves the path toward spectrally-selective and polarization-dependent NW array-based photodetectors, in which carrier collection efficiencies can be enhanced by positioning active junctions at the predefined locations of the partial shell segments.
Offshore wind data assessment near the Iberian Peninsula over the last 25 years
Authors: Plecha Sandra M , Teles-Machado Ana , Tomé Ricardo , Mateus Pedro
Published: April 2023

Numerous processes affecting coastal ocean dynamics and water properties occur at the air-sea interface as a result of wind blowing on the ocean surface. In Earth system research, it is crucial to appropriately characterize the ocean surface wind (OSW) field because of its significance in many academic and economic activities. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the most recent OSW datasets based on numerical modeling and remote sensing products in estimating in situ observations along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The results are three-fold: (1) when high temporal resolutions are not necessary, remote sensing products are an excellent choice because they provide reliable OSW estimates; (2) for analyses that require high temporal resolution, numerical weather models are the best choice because they can statistically reproduce the main trend; (3) fifth generation of European ReAnalysis (ERA5) showed that, despite having a lower spatial resolution than the dynamically downscaled weather research and forecasting simulation, it captures the spatial and temporal dynamics and variability of coastal winds and may be used as forcing of the atmosphere-ocean interface modeling without compromising its accuracy.
Increasing risk of compound wind and precipitation extremes due to tropical cyclones in India
Authors: Rajeev Akshay , Mishra Vimal
Published: April 2023

Tropical cyclones (TCs) cause compound extremes of rainfall and wind gust. However, their occurrence and impacts on India still need to be better understood. Using ERA5 reanalysis and cyclone eAtlas, we examine the compound extremes of precipitation and wind gust driven by TCs that made landfall over India during 1981–2021. Based on the joint return period of compound extremes, the five worst TCs occurred in May 1990, May 1999, May 2010 (Laila), October 2014 (Hudhud), and May 2020 (Amphan). A majority of TCs during 1981–2021 originated from the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and only a few from the Arabian Sea (AS). While the frequency of all the TCs has either declined or remained stable in the North Indian Ocean (NIO, BoB, AS) during 1981–2021, the frequency of TCs with compound extremes has increased by about three-fold during the most recent decade (2011–2021). Compound extremes driven by TCs affect large regions along the coast and risk infrastructure and human lives. The frequency of TCs with large area of impact (greater than 200 000 km2) compound wind and precipitation extreme extent exhibits a three-fold rise during 1981–2021, indicating an increase in the hazard associated with the compound extremes driven by TCs in India.
Redefining the Rule of Law: An Eighteenth-Century Case Study
Authors: Burset Christian R
Published: April 2023

Scholars who write about the relationship between law and empire tend to adopt one of two frameworks. The first describes imperial rule and the rule of law as fundamentally incompatible. The second praises empires—especially the British Empire—for exporting the rule of law to lands that lacked it. These competing approaches have very different political valences, but they agree in suggesting that colonial rule made no substantial contribution to today’s rule of law tradition. At best, the metropole exported a premade rule of law abroad; at worst, colonialism corrupted preexisting commitments to legality. But in neither case did imperial rule alter rule of law ideals.

This Article argues, in contrast, that colonialism helped to reshape how anglophones defined the rule of law. It begins by reconstructing two conceptions of legality in the eighteenth-century British Empire. At the start of that century, most Britons subscribed to what this Article calls the traditional conception of the rule of law. This conception aimed at a thick set of political, social, and economic ends, which proponents sought to advance through specific English institutions, such as juries. A second, thinner conception of legality—what this Article calls the modern rule of law—emerged in the second half of the eighteenth century. Like many rule of law theories today, the modern conception focused on abstract ideals, such as legal certainty, rather than particular institutions. Proponents of the modern rule of law aimed to provide a cosmopolitan standard that would transcend national and cultural boundaries.

Although these two conceptions were often compatible, their differences became apparent in the 1770s, as politicians debated whether to extend English law to conquered colonies. Britain’s ultimate decision to embrace colonial legal pluralism encouraged commentators to embrace the newer, thinner conception, which was easier to reconcile with the growing diversity of the empire’s many legal systems. This debate over the colonial rule of law continues to shape our efforts to theorize the rule of law. Understanding the rule of law’s history also offers new insights into the potential utility of different versions of that concept today. Finally, this Article shows how invoking the rule of law in everyday political debates can ultimately redefine the concept itself.
Repair of Congenitally Defective Type of Earlobe Clefts With Residual Lobular Tissue: A Convenient and Effective Surgical Technique
Authors: Cai Siyuan , Sheng Yang , Lin Liheng , Cui Wei , Jiang Zhiyuan , Zhang Liyuan , Li Qingqing , Cai Zhen , Chen Zaihong
Published: April 2023

Background

For patients with a congenitally defective type of earlobe cleft, repair techniques similar to those utilized for earlobe lacerations are not suitable due to the presence of certain tissue defects. However, traditional earlobe reconstruction techniques imply the need to form complex flaps with adjacent normal tissues, which may lead to many complications.

Objectives

In this study, we developed a technique to repair the earlobe with residual lobular tissue based on the characteristics of congenitally defective earlobe clefts.

Methods

We designed a triangular random flap out of the remnant lobular tissue, rotated and embedded into the edge of the remnant earlobe to repair the earlobe.

Results

In the past 3 years, this technique was applied to 15 patients with congenitally defective earlobe clefts. With this technique, the new earlobe achieved the desired aesthetic results, such as smooth edges and fullness of form, without complicated and unnecessary incisions. It also solved the aesthetic problem of residual lobular tissue on the face.

Conclusions

Based on the characteristics of the congenitally defective type of earlobe cleft, we innovatively proposed the utilization of residual lobular tissues for earlobe repair, and the feasibility and multiple advantages of this technique have been demonstrated in practice.

Level of Evidence: 4
Using traditional machine learning and deep learning methods for on- and off-target prediction in CRISPR/Cas9: a review
Authors: Sherkatghanad Zeinab , Abdar Moloud , Charlier Jeremy , Makarenkov Vladimir
Published: April 2023

CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9) is a popular and effective two-component technology used for targeted genetic manipulation. It is currently the most versatile and accurate method of gene and genome editing, which benefits from a large variety of practical applications. For example, in biomedicine, it has been used in research related to cancer, virus infections, pathogen detection, and genetic diseases. Current CRISPR/Cas9 research is based on data-driven models for on- and off-target prediction as a cleavage may occur at non-target sequence locations. Nowadays, conventional machine learning and deep learning methods are applied on a regular basis to accurately predict on-target knockout efficacy and off-target profile of given single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs). In this paper, we present an overview and a comparative analysis of traditional machine learning and deep learning models used in CRISPR/Cas9. We highlight the key research challenges and directions associated with target activity prediction. We discuss recent advances in the sgRNA–DNA sequence encoding used in state-of-the-art on- and off-target prediction models. Furthermore, we present the most popular deep learning neural network architectures used in CRISPR/Cas9 prediction models. Finally, we summarize the existing challenges and discuss possible future investigations in the field of on- and off-target prediction. Our paper provides valuable support for academic and industrial researchers interested in the application of machine learning methods in the field of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.
TripletCell: a deep metric learning framework for accurate annotation of cell types at the single-cell level
Authors: Liu Yan , Wei Guo , Li Chen , Shen Long-Chen , Gasser Robin B , Song Jiangning , Chen Dijun , Yu Dong-Jun
Published: April 2023

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has significantly accelerated the experimental characterization of distinct cell lineages and types in complex tissues and organisms. Cell-type annotation is of great importance in most of the scRNA-seq analysis pipelines. However, manual cell-type annotation heavily relies on the quality of scRNA-seq data and marker genes, and therefore can be laborious and time-consuming. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of scRNA-seq datasets poses another challenge for accurate cell-type annotation, such as the batch effect induced by different scRNA-seq protocols and samples. To overcome these limitations, here we propose a novel pipeline, termed TripletCell, for cross-species, cross-protocol and cross-sample cell-type annotation. We developed a cell embedding and dimension-reduction module for the feature extraction (FE) in TripletCell, namely TripletCell-FE, to leverage the deep metric learning-based algorithm for the relationships between the reference gene expression matrix and the query cells. Our experimental studies on 21 datasets (covering nine scRNA-seq protocols, two species and three tissues) demonstrate that TripletCell outperformed state-of-the-art approaches for cell-type annotation. More importantly, regardless of protocols or species, TripletCell can deliver outstanding and robust performance in annotating different types of cells. TripletCell is freely available at https://github.com/liuyan3056/TripletCell. We believe that TripletCell is a reliable computational tool for accurately annotating various cell types using scRNA-seq data and will be instrumental in assisting the generation of novel biological hypotheses in cell biology.
Graph convolutional network-based feature selection for high-dimensional and low-sample size data
Authors: Chen Can , Weiss Scott T , Liu Yang-Yu
Published: April 2023

Motivation

Feature selection is a powerful dimension reduction technique which selects a subset of relevant features for model construction. Numerous feature selection methods have been proposed, but most of them fail under the high-dimensional and low-sample size (HDLSS) setting due to the challenge of overfitting.

Results

We present a deep learning-based method—GRAph Convolutional nEtwork feature Selector (GRACES)—to select important features for HDLSS data. GRACES exploits latent relations between samples with various overfitting-reducing techniques to iteratively find a set of optimal features which gives rise to the greatest decreases in the optimization loss. We demonstrate that GRACES significantly outperforms other feature selection methods on both synthetic and real-world datasets.

Availability and implementation

The source code is publicly available at https://github.com/canc1993/graces.
In search of the (Black) international: The Black Scholar and the challenge to communication and media studies
Authors: Towns Armond R
Published: April 2023

In the 1970s, the journal The Black Scholar (TBS) published two special issues largely under-read in communication studies, titled “Black Media I” and “Black Media II.” The lack of engagement in these special issues by communication scholars represents not merely disciplinary differences but it also signifies different trajectories that both fields take on Marxism. Communication studies would take Europe as its starting point, while Black studies would not dismiss Europe, but would take the Third World as its point of departure. In the process, media and communication analysis in TBS holds more critical potential than what currently exists in communication studies approaches to both Blackness and Marxism. Using a sociology of knowledge approach, I argue that the place to start a wholistic, Marxist, Black studies analysis of communication begins not in communication studies, but in Black studies, which TBS’s special issues are representative of.
Early Intestinal Ultrasound Predicts Long-Term Endoscopic Response to Biologics in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Allocca Mariangela , Dell’Avalle Cecilia , Furfaro Federica , Zilli Alessandra , D’Amico Ferdinando , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Fiorino Gionata , Danese Silvio
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

The Milan ultrasound criteria [MUC] is a validated score to assess endoscopic activity in ulcerative colitis [UC]. MUC > 6.2 detects Mayo endoscopic score [MES] > 1. In this study we evaluated the predictive value of MUC for biologic treatment response, using colonoscopy [CS] as a reference standard.

Methods

Consecutive UC patients starting biologic therapy were included, and underwent CS, IUS, clinical assessment and faecal calprotectin [FC] measurement at baseline and within 1 year. In addition, IUS, clinical and FC assessments were performed at week 12. The primary objective was to evaluate whether ultrasound improvement [MUC ≤ 6.2] at week 12 predicted endoscopic improvement at reassessment [MES ≤ 1]. Endoscopic remission was defined as MES = 0.

Results

Forty-nine patients were included [59% under infliximab, 29% under vedolizumab, 8% under adalimumab, 4% under ustekinumab]. MUC ≤ 6.2 at week 12 was the only independent predictor for MES ≤ 1 and MES = 0 at reassessment (odds ratio [OR] 5.80, p = 0.010; OR 10.41, p = 0.041; respectively). MUC ≤ 6.2 at week 12 showed a negative predictive value of 96% for detecting MES = 0. A ≥2 reduction of the MUC predicted MES = 0 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.816). MUC ≤ 4.3 was the most accurate cut-off value for MES = 0 [AUC 0.876]. Guyatt’s responsiveness ratio for the MUC was 1.73 [>0.8].

Conclusion

MUC ≤ 6.2 at week 12 predicts long-term endoscopic response. MUC is accurate in monitoring treatment response and may be used in both clinical trials and routine practice.
Lipoprotein(a) is associated with a larger systemic burden of arterial calcification
Authors: Singh Sunny S , van der Toorn Janine E , Sijbrands Eric J G , de Rijke Yolanda B , Kavousi Maryam , Bos Daniel
Published: April 2023

Aims

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, population-based evidence on the link between Lp(a) and subclinical arteriosclerosis is lacking. We assessed associations of Lp(a) concentrations with arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries.

Methods and results

From the population-based Rotterdam study, 2354 participants (mean age: 69.5 years, 52.3% women) underwent non-contrast computed tomography to assess arterial calcification as a hallmark of arteriosclerosis. We quantified the volume of coronary artery calcification (CAC), aortic arch calcification (AAC), extracranial (ECAC), and intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC). All participants underwent blood sampling, from which plasma Lp(a) concentrations were derived. The association of plasma Lp(a) levels was assessed with calcification volumes and with severe calcification (upper quartile of calcification volume) using sex-stratified multivariable linear and logistic regression models. Higher Lp(a) levels were associated with larger ln-transformed volumes of CAC [fully adjusted beta 95% confidence interval (CI) per 1 standard deviation (SD) in women: 0.09, 95% CI 0.04–0.14, men: 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.14], AAC (women: 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.11, men: 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.14), ECAC (women: 0.07, 95% CI 0.02–0.13, men: 0.08, 95% CI 0.03–0.14), and ICAC (women: 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.14, men: 0.05, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.11]. In the highest Lp(a) percentile, severe ICAC was most prevalent in women [fully adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.41, 95% CI 1.25–4.63] and severe AAC in men (fully adjusted OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.67–6.49).

Conclusion

Higher Lp(a) was consistently associated with a larger calcification burden in all major arteries. The findings of this study indicate that Lp(a) is a systemic risk factor for arteriosclerosis and thus potentially an effective target for treatment. Lp(a)-reducing therapies may reduce the burden from arteriosclerotic events throughout the arterial system.

Translational perspective

In 2354 participants from the Rotterdam study, we assessed the link between Lp(a) concentrations and arterial calcifications, as proxy for arteriosclerosis, in major arteries. We found that higher Lp(a) levels were consistently associated with larger volumes of calcification in the coronary arteries, aortic arch, extracranial carotid arteries, and intracranial carotid arteries. The findings of our study indicate that Lp(a) is a systemic risk factor for arteriosclerosis, suggesting that the systemic burden of arteriosclerosis throughout the arterial system could be reduced by targeting Lp(a).
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: the emerging role of coronary computed tomography
Authors: Pergola Valeria , Continisio Saverio , Mantovani Francesca , Motta Raffaella , Mattesi Giulia , Marrazzo Gemma , Dellino Carlo Maria , Montonati Carolina , De Conti Giorgio , Galzerano Domenico , Parato Vito Maurizio , Gimelli Alessia , Barchitta Agatella , Campana Marco , D’Andrea Antonello
Published: April 2023

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a cause of acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction, more frequent among young women. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of SCAD, although the risk of propagating dissection flap is considerable. Therefore, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an emerging alternative modality to diagnose SCAD with the advantage of being a non-invasive technique.

Clinicians should be aware of the predisposing conditions and pathophysiology to raise the pre-test probability of SCAD and select the most appropriate diagnostic tools.

In recent times, improvements in spatial and temporal resolution and the use of semi-automated software providing quantitative assessment make CCTA a valid alternative to ICA also for the follow-up. Moreover, CCTA may be helpful to screen and evaluate extra-coronary arteriopathies closely related to SCAD.

In this review, we illustrate the current and the potential role of CCTA in the diagnosis of SCAD, highlighting advantages and disadvantages of this imaging modality compared to ICA.
Benefit of icosapent ethyl on coronary physiology assessed by computed tomography angiography fractional flow reserve: EVAPORATE-FFRCT
Authors: Rabbat Mark G , Lakshmanan Suvasini , Benjamin Mina M , Doros Gheorghe , Kinninger April , Budoff Matthew J , Bhatt Deepak L
Published: April 2023

Aims

Icosapent ethyl (IPE) significantly reduced ischaemic events in statin-treated patients with atherosclerosis or diabetes and elevated triglycerides in REDUCE-IT, including large reductions in myocardial infarction and elective, urgent, and emergent coronary revascularization. However, the mechanisms driving this clinical benefit are not fully known. The EVAPORATE trial demonstrated that IPE significantly reduced plaque burden. No study to date has assessed the impact of IPE on coronary physiology. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) data sets (FFRCT) applies computational fluid dynamics to calculate FFR values in epicardial coronary arteries. Our objective was to assess the impact of IPE on coronary physiology assessed by FFRCT using imaging data from EVAPORATE.

Methods and results

A total of 47 patients and of 507 coronary lesions at baseline, 9 months, and 18 months with coronary CTA and FFRCT were studied in a blinded core lab. The pre-specified primary endpoint was the FFRCT value in the distal coronary segment from baseline to follow-up in the most diseased vessel per patient using IPE compared with placebo. The pre-specified secondary endpoint was the change in translesional FFRCT (ΔFFRCT) across the most severe (minimum 30% diameter stenosis) coronary lesion per vessel. Baseline FFRCT was similar for IPE compared with placebo (0.83 ± 0.08 vs. 0.84 ± 0.08, P = 0.55). There was significant improvement in the primary endpoint, as IPE improved mean distal segment FFRCT at 9- and 18-month follow-up compared with placebo (0.01 ± 0.05 vs. −0.05 ± 0.09, P = 0.02, and −0.01 ± 0.09 vs. −0.09 ± 0.12, P = 0.03, respectively). ΔFFRCT in 140 coronary lesions was improved, although not statistically significant, with IPE compared with placebo (−0.06 ± 0.08 vs. −0.09 ± 0.1, P = 0.054).

Conclusion

Icosapent ethyl demonstrated significant benefits in coronary physiology compared with placebo. This early and sustained improvement in FFRCT at 9- and 18-month follow-up provides mechanistic insight into the clinical benefit observed in the REDUCE-IT trial. Furthermore, this is the first assessment of FFRCT to determine drug effect.
DOACs and rheumatic valvulopathy: always a red light?
Authors: Rochira Carla , Capodanno Davide
Published: April 2023

Despite the sharp decline in most high-income industrialized countries, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to be highly prevalent in many rural, low- and middle-income countries. RHD most frequently involves the mitral valve, both in the form of isolated regurgitation and in the form of regurgitation associated with mitral stenosis (mitral stenosis, MS). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication of RHD that is independently associated with an increased risk of death, heart failure, and systemic thromboembolism. Few studies have focused on the issue of the best oral anticoagulation strategy for patients with RHD and AF. Randomized trials establishing the non-inferiority of new direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism excluded AF patients with mechanical valves or with moderate-to-severe MS. Nevertheless, variable proportions of patients with other VHD types were included. Recently, the INVICTUS trial demonstrated that in patients with RHD-related AF, direct oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban is inferior to VKAs in preventing stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, or death and is similar in bleeding risk. These results confirm and reinforce the recommendations of current international guidelines supporting the use of VKAs in patients with RHD-related AF.
Treating chronic kidney disease to reduce cardiovascular risk
Authors: Cice Gennaro , Monzo Luca , Calò Leonardo
Published: April 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex syndrome and a relevant problem of public health due to its large incidence and prevalence and to the high costs for its management. The hallmark of CKD, the progressive reduction in the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), is strongly associated with an increase in cardiovascular events, such as fatal and non-fatal heart attack, stroke and heart failure, and mortality. Therefore, clinicians should pay any effort for preventing or slowing down the decline of renal function in order to reduce not only the occurrence of critical renal events (the need for dialysis or renal transplantation, among the most dreadful) but also the incidence of cardiovascular events. Accordingly, an early diagnosis and a targeted treatment in patients with kidney disease are crucial to reduce the evolution towards more advanced stages of the disease and the occurrence of complications. For a long time, the therapeutic approach to the majority of CKD patients was based on the strict control of risk factors, such as the diabetic disease and hypertension, together with the use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors, particularly in the presence of albuminuria. Over time, this strategy proved to be only partially effective, since most CKD patients showed a progressive worsening of renal function. Gliflozins and incretins are novel anti-diabetic drugs that have been demonstrated to slow down the slope of eGFR reduction in patients with CKD, irrespective of diabetic status. Concurrently, these drugs showed to significantly impact cardiovascular prognosis reducing the incidence of clinical events. For their ability to act on a wide spectrum of disease, gliflozins and incretins are also called ‘cardio–nephro–metabolic’ drugs.
Causes of sudden death
Authors: De Gaspari Monica , Rizzo Stefania , Thiene Gaetano , Basso Cristina
Published: April 2023

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) pathophysiological point of view can be either mechanical or electrical. In case of mechanical SCD, the most frequent causes are pulmonary thromboembolism and cardiac tamponade due to intrapericardial rupture (aortic dissection, heart rupture). This distinction is important because cardiac arrest retains survival potential through cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillators only if the rhythm is shockable. The heart diseases that can cause SCD vary according to the age of the individual. In young people, primary electrical diseases (‘ion channel diseases’) and cardiomyopathies (particularly hypertrophic and arrhythmogenic), both genetically determined and therefore potentially recurred in the proband’s family, as well as myocarditis and coronary anomalies prevail; in adult–elderly populations, coronary atherosclerosis with its complications and degenerative valve diseases (aortic stenosis and mitral valve prolapse) predominate. In this short text, the main structural heart diseases characterized by electrical instability at risk of SCD will be recalled, with a focus on coronary, myocardial, and valvular diseases.
Treg-based immunotherapy for antigen-specific immune suppression and stable tolerance induction: a perspective
Authors: Sakaguchi Shimon , Kawakami Ryoji , Mikami Norihisa
Published: April 2023

FoxP3-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs), whether naturally generated in the immune system or unnaturally induced from conventional T cells (Tconvs) in the laboratory, have much therapeutic value in treating immunological diseases and establishing transplantation tolerance. Natural Tregs (nTregs) can be selectively expanded in vivo by administration of low-dose IL-2 or IL-2 muteins for immune suppression. For adoptive Treg cell therapy, nTregs can be expanded in vitro by strong antigenic stimulation in the presence of IL-2. Synthetic receptors such as CAR can be expressed in nTregs to equip them with a particular target specificity for suppression. In addition, antigen-specific Tconvs can be converted in vitro to functionally stable Treg-like cells by a combination of antigenic stimulation, FoxP3 induction, and establishment of the Treg-type epigenome. This review discusses current and prospective strategies for Treg-based immune suppression and the issues to be resolved for achieving stable antigen-specific immune suppression and tolerance induction in the clinic by targeting Tregs.