bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opportunities to advance the synthesis of ecology and evolution
Authors: Loreau Michel , Jarne Philippe , Martiny Jennifer B. H.
Published: February 2023

Despite decades of research on the interactions between ecology and evolution, opportunities still remain to further integrate the two disciplines, especially when considering multispecies systems. Here, we discuss two such opportunities. First, the traditional emphasis on the distinction between evolutionary and ecological processes should be further relaxed as it is particularly unhelpful in the study of microbial communities, where the very notion of species is hard to define. Second, key processes of evolutionary theory such as adaptation should be exported to hierarchical levels higher than populations to make sense of biodiversity dynamics. Together, we argue that broadening our perspective of eco‐evolutionary dynamics to be more inclusive of all biodiversity, both phylogenetically and hierarchically, will open up fertile new research directions and help us to address one of the major scientific challenges of our time, that is, to understand and predict changes in biodiversity in the face of rapid environmental change.
Perampanel as precision therapy in rare genetic epilepsies
Authors: Nissenkorn Andreea , Kluger Gerhard , Schubert‐Bast Susanne , Bayat Allan , Bobylova Marya , Bonanni Paolo , Ceulemans Berten , Coppola Antonietta , Di Bonaventura Carlo , Feucht Martha , Fuchs Anne , Gröppel Gudrun , Heimer Gali , Herdt Brigitte , Kulikova Sviatlana , Mukhin Konstantin , Nicassio Stefania , Orsini Alessandro , Panagiotou Maria , Pringsheim Milka , Puest Burkhard , Pylaeva Olga , Ramantani Georgia , Tsekoura Maria , Ricciardelli Paolo , Lerman Sagie Tally , Stark Brigit , Striano Pasquale , van Baalen Andreas , De Wachter Matthias , Cerulli Irelli Emanuele , Cuccurullo Claudia , von Stülpnagel Celina , Russo Angelo
Published: February 2023

Objective

Perampanel, an antiseizure drug with α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist properties, may have a targeted effect in genetic epilepsies with overwhelming glutamate receptor activation. Epilepsies with loss of γ‐aminobutyric acid inhibition (e.g., SCN1A), overactive excitatory neurons (e.g., SCN2A, SCN8A), and variants in glutamate receptors (e.g., GRIN2A) hold special interest. We aimed to collect data from a large rare genetic epilepsy cohort treated with perampanel, to detect possible subgroups with high efficacy.

Methods

This multicenter project was based on the framework of NETRE (Network for Therapy in Rare Epilepsies), a web of pediatric neurologists treating rare epilepsies. Retrospective data from patients with genetic epilepsies treated with perampanel were collected. Outcome measures were responder rate (50% seizure reduction), and percentage of seizure reduction after 3 months of treatment. Subgroups of etiologies with high efficacy were identified.

Results

A total of 137 patients with 79 different etiologies, aged 2 months to 61 years (mean = 15.48 ± 9.9 years), were enrolled. The mean dosage was 6.45 ± 2.47 mg, and treatment period was 2.0 ± 1.78 years (1.5 months–8 years). Sixty‐two patients (44.9%) were treated for >2 years. Ninety‐eight patients (71%) were responders, and 93 (67.4%) chose to continue therapy. The mean reduction in seizure frequency was 56.61% ± 34.36%. Sixty patients (43.5%) sustained >75% reduction in seizure frequency, including 38 (27.5%) with >90% reduction in seizure frequency. The following genes showed high treatment efficacy: SCN1A, GNAO1, PIGA, PCDH19, SYNGAP1, POLG1, POLG2, and NEU1. Eleven of 17 (64.7%) patients with Dravet syndrome due to an SCN1A pathogenic variant were responders to perampanel treatment; 35.3% of them had >90% seizure reduction. Other etiologies remarkable for >90% reduction in seizures were GNAO1 and PIGA. Fourteen patients had a continuous spike and wave during sleep electroencephalographic pattern, and in six subjects perampanel reduced epileptiform activity.

Significance

Perampanel demonstrated high safety and efficacy in patients with rare genetic epilepsies, especially in SCN1A, GNAO1, PIGA, PCDH19, SYNGAP1, CDKL5, NEU1, and POLG, suggesting a targeted effect related to glutamate transmission.
A psychometric analysis of the Relationship Attribution Measure–Online Behavior
Authors: Sullivan Kieran T. , Sullivan Aine F. , Bradbury Thomas N.
Published: February 2023

Objective

The purpose of the study is to develop and evaluate a measure of attributions about partner online behavior.

Background

The attributions that intimate partners make for one another's actions foreshadow deterioration in relationship satisfaction. Although online communication is now pervasive, tools for assessing the attributions partners make for online behavior (e.g., why a partner hasn't responded to a text message) are not yet available.

Method

College students (Sample 1) and individuals recruited via Qualtrics panels (Sample 2) completed an online survey assessing attributions, relationship satisfaction, attachment anxiety, jealousy, and depression.

Results

The Relationship Attribution Measure–Online Behavior (RAM‐OB) is internally consistent, unifactorial, and reasonably stable. Maladaptive attributions (i.e., internal, stable, and global explanations for negative behavior) are negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction and positively correlated with attachment anxiety, jealousy, and depression (Study 1). Further, we demonstrate that maladaptive attributions covary with lower levels of relationship satisfaction even after controlling for anxious attachment, jealousy, and depression, and that the relationship between attributions and satisfaction is stronger for women and for people living with lower incomes (Study 2).

Conclusion

The RAM‐OB is a reliable and valid measure of the attributions partners make about online behavior.

Implications

The availability of the RAM‐OB may create new opportunities for understanding the role of technology and media‐related behaviors in intimate relationships.
Effect of sintering atmosphere on microstructures and properties of synthesized microporous MgO refractory raw material
Authors: Liu Ying , Yan Wen , Chen Zhe , Yan Junjie , Wang Qiang , Li Guangqiang
Published: February 2023

Effects of sintering atmosphere on the microstructure and strength of magnesite were investigated using magnesite powder as raw material through X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, mercury porosimetry measurement, and so on. The results showed that the sintering atmosphere strongly affected the sintering behavior of magnesite. The specimens sintered in the reducing atmosphere had more and finer micro‐sized pores inside the MgO particles compared with that in the oxidizing atmosphere at the same sintering temperature. Besides, MgO refractory raw material containing porous MgO microparticles with core–shell structure was obtained through the carbothermal reduction of MgO microparticles and subsequent oxidation of Mg vapor at the surface of MgO particles at 1500°C in the reducing atmosphere. At the reducing atmosphere and 1500°C, the microporous MgO refractory raw material with the core–shell structure of external dense and internal porous had an apparent porosity of 22.1% and a compressive strength of 51.6 MPa.
Prenatal tobacco and cannabis co‐exposure and offspring obesity development from birth to mid‐childhood
Authors: Kong Kai Ling , Lee Jin‐kyung , Shisler Shannon , Thanos Panayotis K. , Huestis Marilyn A. , Hawk Larry , Eiden Rina D.
Published: February 2023

Background

Although the association between prenatal tobacco exposure and child obesity risk is well‐established, less is known about co‐exposure to tobacco and cannabis.

Objective

Determine the relation between prenatal substance co‐exposure and obesity risk.

Methods

In a diverse sample of pregnant women, we examined the association between prenatal substance exposure (tobacco‐only and co‐exposure) and child BMI (kg/m2) trajectories from birth to mid‐childhood (n = 262), overweight/obese status based on BMI percentiles from toddlerhood (24 months) to mid‐childhood (9–12 years), and adiposity outcomes at mid‐childhood (fat mass [kg], fat mass [%] and fat free mass [kg]; n = 128). Given that the major goal of this study was to examine the associations between prenatal substance exposure and child outcomes, we oversampled pregnant women for substance use (with tobacco as the primary focus).

Results

Multilevel models demonstrated that children in both exposure groups had a steeper increase in BMI trajectory from birth to mid‐childhood and among co‐exposed children, girls had a steeper increase than boys. Odds ratio of having obesity by mid‐childhood was 12 times higher among those co‐exposed than non‐exposed. Co‐exposure led to significantly greater fat mass and fat mass % compared with no exposure, but exposure to only tobacco was no different than no exposure.

Conclusions

Results highlight potentiating effects of cannabis exposure in the context of maternal tobacco use in pregnancy on obesity risk and the importance of multi‐method assessments of obesity.
Mechanistic insight of interleukin‐9 induced osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Chakraborty Sushmita , Schneider Jakob , Mitra Dipendra Kumar , Kubatzky Katharina F.
Published: February 2023

Interleukin (IL)‐9 is an emerging player in the pathogenesis of various chronic inflammatory diseases including bone disorders like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis. Recently, IL‐9 was shown to enhance the osteoclast formation and their function in RA. However, the mechanisms by which IL‐9 influences osteoclastogenesis are not known. Therefore, in this study we aimed to unravel the direct and indirect ways by which IL‐9 can influence osteoclast formation. We used mouse bone marrow precursor cells for checking the effect of IL‐9 on osteoclast differentiation and its function. Next, IL‐9 induced signalling pathway were checked in the process of osteoclastogenesis. T cells play an important role in enhancing osteoclastogenesis in inflammatory conditions. We used splenic T cells to understand the impact of IL‐9 on the functions of T effector (Teff) and regulatory T (Treg) cells. Furthermore, the effect of IL‐9 mediated modulation of the T cell response on osteoclasts was checked using a coculture model of T cells with osteoclast precursors. We showed that IL‐9 enhanced osteoclast formation and its function. We found that IL‐9 activates STAT3, P38 MAPK, ERK1/2, NFκB and we hypothesize that it mediates the effect on osteoclastogenesis by accelerating mitochondrial biogenesis. Additionally, IL‐9 was observed to facilitate the functions of pro‐osteoclastogenic IL‐17 producing T cells, but inhibits the function of anti‐osteoclastogenic Treg cells. Our observations suggest that IL‐9 can influence osteoclastogenesis directly by modulating the signalling cascade in the precursor cells; indirectly by enhancing IL‐17 producing T cells and by reducing the functions of Treg cells.
Maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain and child weight during the first 2 years of life in an Amazonian birth cohort
Authors: Santos da Silva Lara Lívia , Malta Maíra Barreto , Lourenço Bárbara Hatzlhoffer , Mosquera Paola Soledad , de Araújo Damasceno Ana Alice , Neves Paulo Augusto Ribeiro , Cardoso Marly Augusto ,   for the MINA‐Brazil Working Group
Published: February 2023

Background

In socially vulnerable populations, evidence is needed regarding the role of maternal nutritional status on child weight during the first 2 years of life.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the association of pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with offspring BMI‐for‐agez‐scores (BAZs) during the first 2 years of life.

Methods

A population‐based birth cohort study was conducted with 900 mother–child pairs. Pre‐pregnancy weight and weight at delivery were collected from medical records, and anthropometric data were measured at birth and at 6‐month, 1‐year and 2‐year follow‐up visits. Linear regression and linear mixed‐effect models assessed associations with pre‐pregnancy BMI, GWG and BAZ during the first 2 years of life.

Results

Pre‐pregnancy overweight and obesity and excessive GWG were positively associated with BAZ at birth and at 1‐ and 2‐year follow‐up visits. There were no significant additional BAZ changes per year based on the exposures up to age 2 years.

Conclusions

Elevated maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and GWG were associated with a child's higher BAZ at birth, and these differences remained constant throughout the first 2 years of life in Amazonian children. These findings highlight the importance of promoting adequate maternal weight before pregnancy and during prenatal care also in socially vulnerable populations.
Comparison efficacy of ultrasound‐guided HIFU for adenomyosis‐associated dysmenorrhea with different signal intensity on T2‐weighted MR imaging
Authors: Yu Jingwen , Jiang Li , Su Xueyao , Yang Meijie , Yang Chao , Chen Jinyun
Published: February 2023

Aim

To compare the therapeutic efficacy of ultrasound‐guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) in the treatment of adenomyosis with different signal intensity (SI) on T2‐weighted images (T2WI).

Methods

A total of 299 adenomyosis patients who underwent HIFU and completed a one‐year follow‐up were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the SI values of adenomyosis relative to myometrium and endometrium on T2WI MRI, the patients were classified into three groups: the hypointense adenomyosis (Hypo‐AM) group, the isointense adenomyosis (Iso‐AM) group, and the hyperintense adenomyosis (Hyper‐AM) group. The non‐perfused volume ratio (NPVr) and relief of dysmenorrhea were used to assess the therapeutic efficacy. Optimal cutpoints (CPs) of NPVr were determined using the postoperative dysmenorrhea score as an anchor. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the relationship between the NPVr and SI.

Results

The clinical effectiveness rate was significantly lower in the Hyper‐AM group than in the Hypo‐AM and Iso‐AM groups (P < 0.05 for both). The NPVr in the Hypo‐AM and Iso‐AM groups were significantly higher than that in the Hyper‐AM group (P < 0.05 for both). The optimal CP was 54.0% for NPVr. Logistic regression analysis showed that the SI on T2WI was an effect factor for NPVr (P < 0.05), and the probability of NPVr ≥54.0% decreased continuously as the SI of adenomyosis increased.

Conclusions

The NPVr of 54.0% has a clinically significant impact on dysmenorrhea scores in patients. The efficiency of the Hypo‐AM and Iso‐AM was better than that of the Hyper‐AM.
Melatonin mediates elevated carbon dioxide‐induced photosynthesis and thermotolerance in tomato
Authors: Hasan Md. Kamrul , Xing Qu‐Fan , Zhou Can‐Yu , Wang Kai‐Xin , Xu Tong , Yang Ping , Qi Zhen‐Yu , Shao Shu‐Jun , Ahammed Golam Jalal , Zhou Jie
Published: February 2023

Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) promotes photosynthesis and mitigates heat stress‐induced deleterious effects on plants, but the regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we found that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants treated with high atmospheric CO2 concentrations (600, 800, and 1000 µmol mol−1) accumulated increased levels of melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxy tryptamine) in their leaves and this response is conserved across many plant species, including Arabidopsis, rice, wheat, mustard, cucumber, watermelon, melon, and hot pepper. Elevated CO2 (eCO2; 800 µmol mol−1) caused a 6.8‐fold increase in leaf melatonin content, and eCO2‐induced melatonin biosynthesis preferentially occurred through chloroplast biosynthetic pathways in tomato plants. Crucially, manipulation of endogenous melatonin levels by genetic means affected the eCO2‐induced accumulation of sugar and starch in tomato leaves. Furthermore, net photosynthetic rate, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, and transcript levels of chloroplast‐ and nuclear‐encoded photosynthetic genes, such as rbcL, rbcS, rbcA, psaD, petB, and atpA, significantly increased in COMT1 overexpressing (COMT1‐OE) tomato plants, but not in melatonin‐deficient comt1 mutants at eCO2 conditions. While eCO2 enhanced plant tolerance to heat stress (42°C) in wild‐type and COMT1‐OE, melatonin deficiency compromised eCO2‐induced thermotolerance in comt1 plants. The expression of heat shock proteins genes increased in COMT1‐OE but not in comt1 plants in response to eCO2 under heat stress. Further analysis revealed that eCO2‐induced thermotolerance was closely linked to the melatonin‐dependent regulation of reactive oxygen species, redox homeostasis, cellular protein protection, and phytohormone metabolism. This study unveiled a crucial mechanism of elevated CO2‐induced thermotolerance in which melatonin acts as an essential endogenous signaling molecule in tomato plants.
Global population genetic structure and lineage differentiation of the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans
Authors: Tsai Cheng‐Lung , Lu Chia‐Ning , Tzeng Hau‐You , Krafsur Elliot S. , Tu Wu‐Chun , Yeh Wen‐Bin
Published: February 2023

The bloodsucking fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), is a cosmopolitan pest that transmits potential pathogens mechanically. We conduct phylogeographic analyses of S. calcitrans to resolve its global population genetic structure for establishing baseline of molecular studies. Results from mitochondrial gene suggested that the major divergence of S. calcitrans predominantly occurred 0.32–0.47 million years ago (Mya) and the subsequent diversifications took place during 0.13–0.27 Mya. The Ethiopian region was deduced as the most likely origin of S. calcitrans and the Nearctic lineages were considered to have originated from Oriental or Palaearctic regions. Our results further revealed that each biogeographic region of S. calcitrans likely maintains its genetic specialty, and yet, those non‐monophyletic relationships were possibly caused by ancestral retention, dispersal with mammals, long‐distance migration, and the international livestock industries. Moreover, the three highly diverged Ethiopian lineages may be putative cryptic species that require clarification of their veterinary importance. Unravelling the genetic structure of stable fly and preventing gene flow among biogeographic regions through anthropogenic activities are thus pivotal in livestock industry administration, particularly genetic exchange among differentiated lineages that might lead to the consequence of ecological trait alterations.
Muscle biopsy practices in the evaluation of neuromuscular disease: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ross Laura , McKelvie Penny , Reardon Katrina , Wong Huon , Wicks Ian , Day Jessica
Published: February 2023

Aims

Muscle biopsy techniques range from needle muscle biopsy (NMB) and conchotome biopsy to open surgical biopsy. It is unknown whether specific biopsy techniques offer superior diagnostic yield or differ in procedural complication rates. Therefore, we aimed to compare the diagnostic utility of NMB, conchotome and open muscle biopsies in the assessment of neuromuscular disorders.

Methods

A systematic literature review of the EMBASE and Medline (Ovid) databases was performed to identify original, full‐length research articles that described the muscle biopsy technique used to diagnose neuromuscular disease in both adult and paediatric patient populations. Studies of any design, excluding case reports, were eligible for inclusion. Data pertaining to biopsy technique, biopsy yield and procedural complications were extracted.

Results

Sixty‐four studies reporting the yield of a specific muscle biopsy technique and, or procedural complications were identified. Open surgical biopsies provided a larger tissue sample than any type of percutaneous muscle biopsy. Where anaesthetic details were reported, general anaesthesia was required in 60% of studies that reported open surgical biopsies. Percutaneous biopsies were most commonly performed under local anaesthesia and despite the smaller tissue yield, moderate‐ to large‐gauge needle and conchotome muscle biopsies had an equivalent diagnostic utility to that of open surgical muscle biopsy. All types of muscle biopsy procedures were well tolerated with few adverse events and no scarring complications were reported with percutaneous sampling.

Conclusions

When a histological diagnosis of myopathy is required, moderate‐ to large‐gauge NMB and the conchotome technique appear to have an equivalent diagnostic yield to that of an open surgical biopsy.
Influence of environmental factors on facial pigmented spots: Epidemiological survey of women living in the northern and southern regions of Japan
Authors: Kikuchi Kumiko , Yamashita Toyonobu , Shibata Takako
Published: February 2023

Background

Several epidemiological studies have been conducted to understand the relationship between environmental factors (including chronic sun exposure) and clinical signs of pigmented spots. However, no quantitative analysis has focused on the adverse effects of the detailed features of pigmented spots, including their color intensity, size, and number on the cheek. This study was performed to elucidate the adverse effects of environmental factors on clinical signs of pigmented spots.

Methods

We conducted an epidemiological survey of 102 Japanese women in 2 regions of high and low sun exposure (southern and northern regions, respectively). Using image analysis of high‐resolution digital facial photographs, individual pigmented spots were quantified according to color, size, and total number on the cheek. Each indicator was then compared between the groups.

Results

For the number of pigmented spots on the cheek, the age‐related increase curve showed a large slope in the southern group. For the size of pigmented spots, no significant difference was found between the two groups, and large pigmented spots were observed on the cheek even in the northern group. For the color intensity of the spots, the southern group showed a marked age‐related change; among older subjects, the pigmented spots were significantly darker in the southern than northern group.

Conclusion

Our results may indicate that environmental factors, including chronic exposure to sunlight, mainly increase the number of pigmented spots and darkening of these spots. However, the occurrence of large pigmented spots may be related to intrinsic factors represented by heredity rather than environmental factors.
P4HA1, transcriptionally activated by STAT1, promotes esophageal cancer progression
Authors: Gou Wenbin , Yang Yongqiang , Shan Qiuyue , Xia Shengqiang , Ma Yuqing
Published: February 2023

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most frequent cancers with a higher mortality worldwide. Although prolyl 4‐hydroxylase alpha polypeptide I (P4HA1) is involved in various human malignancies, the function of P4HA1 in EC remains unclear. The mRNA and protein expressions were assessed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry. CCK8 assay was used to detect EC cell viability. Cell proliferation was analyzed by colony formation and ethynyl‐2ʹ‐deoxyuridine assays. In addition, flow cytometry and TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling staining were performed to detect cell apoptosis. Masson's trichrome staining was used to assess the collagen fiber level in tumor tissues. The interaction between STAT1 and P4HA4 was analyzed using ChIP, dual‐luciferase reporter gene and Y1H assays. P4HA1 was overexpressed in EC, and its knockdown suppressed EC cell proliferation and collagen synthesis and increased cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, P4HA1 knockdown could repress EC tumor growth in vivo. Our further research displayed that STAT1 promoted P4HA1 expression by interacting with P4HA1 promoter. As expected, P4HA1 overexpression abolished STAT1 knockdown′s repression on EC cell malignant behaviors. Our research proved that P4HA1 was transcriptionally activated by STAT1, thereby promoting EC progression.
Anti‐RH1 alloimmunization: At what maternal antibody threshold is there a risk of severe fetal anemia?
Authors: Ghesquière Louise , Leroy Julie , Deken Valérie , Tournier Alexane , Vaast Pascal , Subtil Damien , Delsalle Anne , Alluin Gauthier , Garabedian Charles , Houfflin‐Debarge Véronique
Published: February 2023

Background

To define a threshold of maternal antibodies at risk of severe fetal anemia in patients followed for anti‐RH1 alloimmunization (AI).

Study, Design, and Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of patients followed for anti‐RH1 AI at the Lille University Hospital. The first group, severe anemia, included patients who received one or more in utero transfusions (IUT) or who were induced before 37 weeks of pregnancy for suspected severe fetal anemia. The second group, absence of severe anemia, corresponded to patients without intervention during pregnancy related to AI. Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values for screening for severe fetal anemia were calculated for the antibody thresholds of 3.5 and 5 IU/ml for the quantification.

Results

Between 2000 and 2018, 207 patients were included 135 in the severe anemia group and 72 in the no severe anemia group. No severe anemia was observed for an antibody titer below 16. For an antibody threshold of 3.5 IU/ml, the sensitivity was 98.2%, with 30.2% false positives. All severe anemias were detected in the second trimester; two cases of severe anemia were not detected in the third trimester. For an antibody threshold of 5 IU/ml, the sensitivity was lower at 95.6%, with five cases of severe anemia not detected.

Conclusion

The antibody threshold of 3.5 IU/ml for the quantification and 16 for the titration allow targeting patients requiring close monitoring by an experienced team in case of anti‐RH1 AI.
NATURALISM AND THE CATEGORIES “SCIENCE” AND “RELIGION”: A RESPONSE TO JOSH REEVES
Authors: Harrison Peter
Published: February 2023

This article is a response to Josh Reeve's “A Defense of Science and Religion.” I begin with the disclaimer that this was not solely my project but a joint enterprise. A common commitment of participants was to make the disciplines of history and theology central to the discussion and explore what new possibilities follows for the field of science and religion. I then address Reeves's two central concerns: first that I am too dismissive of the categories “science” and “religion.” In fact I have not advocated dispensing with these categories, but have insisted than we employ them critically and with a sense of their history. The second concern is that my position on naturalism seems to place me perilously close to advocates of ID or scientific creationism. I deny this, but point out that more work needs to be done, beyond simply invoking methodological naturalism, to clarify the differences between naturalistic and theological approaches to the world.
On the metric theory of approximations by reduced fractions: a quantitative Koukoulopoulos–Maynard theorem
Authors: Aistleitner Christoph , Borda Bence , Hauke Manuel
Published: February 2023

Let$\psi : \mathbb {N} \to [0,1/2]$be given. The Duffin–Schaeffer conjecture, recently resolved by Koukoulopoulos and Maynard, asserts that for almost all reals$\alpha$there are infinitely many coprime solutions$(p,q)$to the inequality$|\alpha - p/q| < \psi (q)/q$, provided that the series$\sum _{q=1}^\infty \varphi (q) \psi (q) / q$is divergent. In the present paper, we establish a quantitative version of this result, by showing that for almost all$\alpha$the number of coprime solutions$(p,q)$, subject to$q \leq Q$, is of asymptotic order$\sum _{q=1}^Q 2 \varphi (q) \psi (q) / q$. The proof relies on the method of GCD graphs as invented by Koukoulopoulos and Maynard, together with a refined overlap estimate from sieve theory, and number-theoretic input on the ‘anatomy of integers’. The key phenomenon is that the system of approximation sets exhibits ‘asymptotic independence on average’ as the total mass of the set system increases.
Viscoelastic Effects on the Nonlinear Oscillations of Hard-Magnetic Soft Actuators
Authors: Nandan Shivendra , Sharma Divyansh , Sharma Atul Kumar
Published: February 2023

The hard-magnetic soft materials (HMSMs) belong to the magnetoactive category of smart polymers that undergo large actuation strain under an externally applied magnetic field and can sustain a high residual magnetic flux density. Because of these remarkable characteristics, HMSMs are promising candidates for the remotely controlled actuators. The magnetic actuation behavior of the hard-magnetic soft actuators (HMSAs) is considerably affected by the viscoelastic material behavior of HMSMs. In this article, we aim at developing an analytical dynamic model of a typical planar model of HMSAs concerning the viscoelasticity of HMSMs. A Zener rheological model in conjunction with an incompressible neo-Hookean model of hyperelasticity and Rayleigh dissipation function is employed for defining the constitutive behavior of the viscoelastic HMSA. The governing equations of dynamic motion are deduced by implementing the nonconservative form of the Euler–Lagrange equation. The established dynamic model is utilized for providing preliminary insights pertaining to the effect of the viscoelasticity on the nonlinear oscillations of the actuator. The phase–plane portraits, Poincaré maps, and the time–history response are plotted to investigate the stability, resonant behavior, and periodicity of the actuator. The results and inferences reported here should provide the initial step toward the design and the development of modern actuators for diverse futuristic applications in the medical and engineering fields.
Analytical Solution and Exact Effective Thickness of Multilayered Laminated Glass Cantilevered Balustrades
Authors: Haydar Ali , Royer-Carfagni Gianni
Published: February 2023

Cantilevered laminated glass balustrades present design challenges. The cross-sectional warping allowed by the end constraint induces such strong asymmetrical deformations that traditional methods, defining the effective thickness of a monolith with equivalent bending properties, cannot be accurate. By using a recently proposed refined zig-zag theory for laminates, we analytically solve the representative problem of a short simply supported laminated beam with a long cantilevered overhang. The variables are the beam displacement and the mean sectional shear angle, defining the zig-zag warping of the cross section. Geometric and natural boundary conditions, as well as the matching condition at the intermediate roller constraint, necessary to solve the governing differential problem, are found variationally. The analytical solutions under concentrated and distributed loads exactly determine the effective thickness of the laminate. Comparisons are made with other approaches that that, however, apply only to three-layered packages. The expressions proposed here can be directly used in the design practice.
Property-Graded Stainless Steel 316L by Selective Laser Melting: Characterization & Design
Authors: Parikh Yash , Kuttolamadom Mathew
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this research work is to characterize and inform the design of (mechanical) property-graded bulk structures made from a single metallic alloy via a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process, with an end goal of creating repeatable/reproducible functionally-graded additively manufactured (FGAM) parts. This paper specifically investigates the manufacture of stainless steel (SS) 316L structures via a pulsed selective laser melting (SLM) process, and the underlying causes of property variations (within a functionally-acceptable range) through various material characterization techniques. For this, a design of experiments spanning the volumetric energy density (VED) based process parameter design space was utilized to investigate the range of functionally-acceptable physical/mechanical properties achievable in SS 316L. Five sample conditions (made via different process parameter combinations) were down-selected for in-depth microstructure analysis and mechanical/physical property characterization; these were suitably selected to impart a wide and controllable property range (209–318 HV hardness, 90–99.9% relative density, and 154–211 GPa modulus). It was observed that property variations resulted from combinations of porosity types/amounts, martensitic phase fractions, and grain sizes. Based on these findings, property-graded standard test specimens were designed and manufactured for further investigation—tensile specimens having a monotonic hardness change along its gauge length, four-point bending specimens with varying elastic moduli as a function of the distance from the neutral axis, and Moore’s rotating beam fatigue specimens with moduli variations based on the distance from the center. Altogether, this work lays the foundation for understanding and designing the local and global mechanical performance of FGAM bulk structures.
An Overview of Dissemination and Implementation Science in Physical Activity and Health Promotion
Authors: Estabrooks Paul Andrew
Published: February 2023

Dissemination and implementation (D&I) science can be described as the scientific study of the strategies and mechanisms by which scientific evidence is disseminated and implemented in community or clinical settings to improve outcomes for a specified population. This paper provides an overview of D&I science as it relates to health and physical activity promotion. It provides definitions and specifications for D&I strategies and an overview of the types of theories, models, and frameworks used to advance this work. Finally, this review demonstrated the need for physical activity researchers to (a) test relationships between changes in D&I explanatory constructs and D&I outcomes; (b) determine the utility of D&I strategies, based on explanatory theories, to improve intervention reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance; (c) develop strategies to take interventions to scale and reduce disparities; and (d) develop interventions and D&I strategies, in collaboration with those who would ultimately be responsible for implementation.
Epigenetically controlled tumor antigens derived from splice junctions between exons and transposable elements
Authors: Burbage Marianne , Rocañín-Arjó Ares , Baudon Blandine , Arribas Yago A. , Merlotti Antonela , Rookhuizen Derek C. , Heurtebise-Chrétien Sandrine , Ye Mengliang , Houy Alexandre , Burgdorf Nina , Suarez Guadalupe , Gros Marine , Sadacca Benjamin , Carrascal Montserrat , Garmilla Andrea , Bohec Mylène , Baulande Sylvain , Lombard Bérangère , Loew Damarys , Waterfall Joshua J. , Stern Marc-Henri , Goudot Christel , Amigorena Sebastian
Published: February 2023

Oncogenesis often implicates epigenetic alterations, including derepression of transposable elements (TEs) and defects in alternative splicing. Here, we explore the possibility that noncanonical splice junctions between exons and TEs represent a source of tumor-specific antigens. We show that mouse normal tissues and tumor cell lines express wide but distinct ranges of mRNA junctions between exons and TEs, some of which are tumor specific. Immunopeptidome analyses in tumor cell lines identified peptides derived from exon-TE splicing junctions associated to MHC-I molecules. Exon-TE junction–derived peptides were immunogenic in tumor-bearing mice. Both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccinations with junction-derived peptides delayed tumor growth in vivo. Inactivation of the TE-silencing histone 3–lysine 9 methyltransferaseSetdb1caused overexpression of new immunogenic junctions in tumor cells. Our results identify exon-TE splicing junctions as epigenetically controlled, immunogenic, and protective tumor antigens in mice, opening possibilities for tumor targeting and vaccination in patients with cancer.
UNC13A
in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from genetic association to therapeutic target
Authors: Willemse Sean W , Harley Peter , van Eijk Ruben P A , Demaegd Koen C , Zelina Pavol , Pasterkamp R Jeroen , van Damme Philip , Ingre Caroline , van Rheenen Wouter , Veldink Jan H , Kiernan Matthew C , Al-Chalabi Ammar , van den Berg Leonard H , Fratta Pietro , van Es Michael A
Published: February 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options and an incompletely understood pathophysiology. Although genomewide association studies (GWAS) have advanced our understanding of the disease, the precise manner in which risk polymorphisms contribute to disease pathogenesis remains unclear. Of relevance, GWAS have shown that a polymorphism (rs12608932) in the
UNC13A
gene is associated with risk for both ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Homozygosity for the C-allele at rs12608932 modifies the ALS phenotype, as these patients are more likely to have bulbar-onset disease, cognitive impairment and FTD at baseline as well as shorter survival. UNC13A is expressed in neuronal tissue and is involved in maintaining synaptic active zones, by enabling the priming and docking of synaptic vesicles. In the absence of functional TDP-43, risk variants in
UNC13A
lead to the inclusion of a cryptic exon in
UNC13A
messenger RNA, subsequently leading to nonsense mediated decay, with loss of functional protein. Depletion of
UNC13A
leads to impaired neurotransmission. Recent discoveries have identified
UNC13A
as a potential target for therapy development in ALS, with a confirmatory trial with lithium carbonate in
UNC13A
cases now underway and future approaches with antisense oligonucleotides currently under consideration. Considering
UNC13A
is a potent phenotypic modifier, it may also impact clinical trial outcomes. This present review describes the path from the initial discovery of
UNC13A
as a risk gene in ALS to the current therapeutic options being explored and how knowledge of its distinct phenotype needs to be taken into account in future trials.
Seeking to be seen as legitimate members of the scientific community? An analysis of British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International’s involvement in scientific events
Authors: Matthes Britta Katharina , Fabbri Alice , Dance Sarah , Laurence Louis , Silver Karin , Gilmore Anna B
Published: February 2023

Introduction

For decades, tobacco companies manipulated and misused science. They funded and disseminated favourable research and suppressed research that showed the harms of their products, deliberately generating misinformation. While previous work has examined many of the practices involved, their engagement in scientific events has so far not been systematically studied. Here, we examine the involvement of British American Tobacco (BAT) and Philip Morris International (PMI) in scientific events, including conferences, symposia and workshops.

Methods

Our analysis involved two steps. First, we collected all available data PMI and BAT provided on their websites to identify events. Second, we extracted information about the nature of tobacco industry involvement from event websites and materials.

Results

We identified 213 scientific events that BAT and/or PMI representatives attended between April 2012 and September 2021. Most events took place in high-income countries in Europe and North America. They covered a diverse range of fields, including toxicology (n=60, 28.1%), medicine (n=25, 11.7%), biology (n=24, 11.3%), chemistry (n=23, 10.8%) and aerosol science (n=18, 8.5%), as well as dentistry (n=9, 4.2%), pharmaceutical science (n=8, 3.8%) and computing (n=8, 3.8%). We identified 356 posters provided by BAT and PMI that linked to 118 events (55.4%) as well as 77 presentations from 65 events (30.5%). Industry involvement through sponsorship (nine events), exhibition (three events) or organising committee (one event) was rare.

Conclusion

BAT and PMI representatives attended a large number and wide range of scientific events. Given that scientific events could be a crucial platform for building connections in the scientific sphere and disseminating industry’s messages, this work highlights the importance of denormalising the tobacco industry’s involvement in scientific events.
Protein quality and the food matrix: defining optimal versus maximal meal-based protein intakes for stimulating muscle protein synthesis
Authors: Barnes Takeshi M. , Deutz Max T. , Zupančič Žan , Askow Andrew T. , Moore Daniel R. , Burd Nicholas A.
Published: February 2023

This paper examines the opinion that we should aim to optimize, rather than maximize, protein intakes to avoid over-emphasizing muscle-centric protein requirements. An optimal eating approach strives to minimize amino acid oxidative waste and more efficiently stimulate postprandial muscle protein accretion. To do this, practitioners should acknowledge higher quality protein foods as better in delivering target amounts of amino acids into circulation, and the food matrix (e.g., nutrient–nutrient interactions) can be leveraged to potentiate essential amino acid incorporation into skeletal muscle protein.
Synchronization of complex dynamical networks with hybrid coupling
Authors: Qin Buzhi , Wang Ying
Published: February 2023

For a strongly connected network, the network may achieve synchronization by coupling of nodes. However, as the size of the network increases, it is difficult for one node with higher degree to couple with all its neighbors, especially when the dimension of the isolated node’s dynamics is more than one. In order to solve this problem, a novel hybrid coupling strategy is proposed to make a complex dynamical network achieve synchronization, where only one random dimension of each node is coupled with its all neighbors, and the other dimension of the node is coupled with only one node. Several numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
A Recurrent Attention Multi-Scale CNN–LSTM Network Based on Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Zuo Jing
Published: February 2023

Since hyperspectral images contain a variety of ground objects of different scales, long-distance ground objects can fully extract the global spatial information of the image. However, most existing methods struggle to capture multi-scale information and global features simultaneously. Therefore, we combine two algorithms, MCNN and LSTM, and propose the MCNN–LSTM algorithm. The MCNN–LSTM model first performs multiple convolution operations on the image, and the result of each pooling layer is subjected to a feature fusion of the fully connected layer. Then, the results of fully connected layers at multiple scales and an attention mechanism are fused to alleviate the information redundancy of the network. Next, the results obtained by the fully connected layer are fed into the LSTM neural network, which enables the global information of the image to be captured more efficiently. In addition, to make the model meet the expected standard, a layer of loop control module is added to the fully connected layer of the LSTM network to share the weight information of multiple pieces of training. Finally, multiple public datasets are adopted for testing. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed MCNN–LSTM model effectively extracts multi-scale features and global information of hyperspectral images, thus achieving higher classification accuracy.
Pressure-relaxation limit for a one-velocity Baer–Nunziato model to a Kapila model
Authors: Burtea Cosmin , Crin-Barat Timothée , Tan Jin
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we study a singular limit problem for a compressible one-velocity bifluid system. More precisely, we show that solutions of the Kapila system generated by initial data close to equilibrium are obtained in the pressure-relaxation limit from solutions of the Baer–Nunziato (BN) system. The convergence rate of this process is a consequence of our stability result. Besides the fact that the quasilinear part of the (BN) system cannot be written in conservative form, its natural associated entropy is only positive semi-definite such that it is not clear if the entropic variables can be used in the present case. Using an ad-hoc change of variables we obtain a reformulation of the (BN) system which couples, via low-order terms, an undamped mode and a non-symmetric partially dissipative hyperbolic system satisfying the Shizuta–Kawashima stability condition.
Progress on production cross-sections of unknown nuclei in fusion evaporation reactions and multinucleon transfer reactions
Authors: Li Jing-Jing , Tang Na , Zhang Yu-Hai , Zhang Ming-Hao , Wang Chen , Zhang Xin-Rui , Zhu Long , Zhang Feng-Shou
Published: February 2023

The progresses on production cross-sections of unknown nuclei in fusion evaporation (FE) reactions and multinucleon transfer (MNT) reactions are reviewed. The synthesis of the superheavy nuclei (SHN) with [Formula: see text], 119, 120, 121, and 122 in FE reactions is presented. As a promising pathway to produce neutron-rich nuclei, the MNT reactions near the Coulomb barrier are applied to investigate the generation of neutron-rich heavy nuclei and the transuranium nuclei. The predicted production cross-sections of unknown neutron-rich nuclei in MNT reactions are summarized. We make a comparison of the radioactive beam-induced FE reactions and MNT process for producing the predicted double magic nuclei [Formula: see text]Fl, which provides a possible pathway to approach the island of stability.
Investigation of dynamical pseudorapidity fluctuations using strongly intensive quantities on event-by-event basis in nucleus–nucleus interactions at CERN SPS energies
Authors: Meer Danish F. , Khan M. Mohisin
Published: February 2023

The event-by-event pseudorapidity and multiplicity fluctuations have been investigated for relativistic charged particles produced in [Formula: see text]O–AgBr at 60[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]GeV/c and 200[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]GeV/c, and [Formula: see text]S–AgBr at 200[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]GeV/c. The strongly intensive measures ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) have been studied to unravel the underlying dynamics of multiparticle production. The multiplicity and pseudorapidity dependence of these fluctuation measures has been investigated and significant deviations from the expected reference values of independent particle production model have been observed, implying the presence of genuine dynamical fluctuations and correlations in these interactions. These deviations are due to the correlated particle production and not the modifications in single-particle spectrum. The hadronic rescatterings present within the framework of a multi-phase transport (AMPT) model are found to have no significant impact on the behavior of these observables. Both default and string melting AMPT generally show the same qualitative behavior as that of the experimental data. However, the string melting AMPT exhibits slightly better quantitative agreement with the experimental results.