bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning-based analysis of regional differences in out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest outcomes and resuscitation interventions in Japan
Authors: Kawai Yasuyuki , Yamamoto Koji , Miyazaki Keita , Asai Hideki , Fukushima Hidetada
Published: September 2023

Refining out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (OHCA) resuscitation protocols for local emergency practices is vital. The lack of comprehensive evaluation methods for individualized protocols impedes targeted improvements. Thus, we employed machine learning to assess emergency medical service (EMS) records for examining regional disparities in time reduction strategies. In this retrospective study, we examined Japanese EMS records and neurological outcomes from 2015 to 2020 using nationwide data. We included patients aged ≥ 18 years with cardiogenic OHCA and visualized EMS activity time variations across prefectures. A five-layer neural network generated a neurological outcome predictive model that was trained on 80% of the data and tested on the remaining 20%. We evaluated interventions associated with changes in prognosis by simulating these changes after adjusting for time factors, including EMS contact to hospital arrival and initial defibrillation or drug administration. The study encompassed 460,540 patients, with the model’s area under the curve and accuracy being 0.96 and 0.95, respectively. Reducing transport time and defibrillation improved outcomes universally, while combining transport time and drug administration showed varied efficacy. In conclusion, the association of emergency activity time with neurological outcomes varied across Japanese prefectures, suggesting the need to set targets for reducing activity time in localized emergency protocols.
Vascular smooth muscle cells enhance immune/vascular interplay in a 3-cell model of vascular inflammation
Authors: Wiejak Jolanta , Murphy Fiona A. , Maffia Pasquale , Yarwood Stephen J.
Published: September 2023

Atherosclerosis is a serious cardiovascular disease that is characterised by the development of atheroma, which are lipid-laden plaques that build up within arterial walls due to chronic inflammatory processes. These lesions are fundamentally attributed to a complex cellular crosstalk between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and central immune cells, such as macrophages (Mɸs), which promote vascular inflammation. The presence of VSMCs exerts both positive and negative effects during atheroma development, which can be attributed to their phenotypic plasticity. Understanding the interactions between these key cell types during the development of vascular inflammation and atheroma will enhance the scope for new therapeutic interventions. This study aims to determine the importance of VSMCs for shaping the extracellular cytokine/chemokine profile and transcriptional responses of VECs (human coronary artery endothelial cells; HCAECs) to activated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated THP1 Mɸs, in a 3-cell model of human vascular inflammation. It is evident that within the presence of VSMCs, enhanced cytokine production was associated with up-regulation of genes associated with vascular inflammation t. Results demonstrate that the presence of VSMCs in co-culture experiments enhanced cytokine production (including CXCL1/GROα, IL-6, IL-8 and CCL2/MCP1) and inflammatory gene expression (including genes involved in JAK/STAT, Jun and NFκB signalling) in HCAECs co-cultured with LPS-stimulated THP1 Mɸs. Our results highlight the importance of VSMCs in immune/endothelial cell interplay and indicate that 3-cell, rather than 2-cell co-culture, may be more appropriate for the study of cellular crosstalk between immune and vascular compartments in response to inflammatory and atherogenic stimuli.
Agreement and precision of wide and cube scan measurements between swept-source and spectral-domain OCT in normal and glaucoma eyes
Authors: Hou Huiyuan , EI-Nimri Nevin W. , Durbin Mary K. , Arias Juan D. , Moghimi Sasan , Weinreb Robert N.
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to evaluate agreement of Wide scan measurements from swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) Triton and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) Maestro in normal/glaucoma eyes, and to assess the precision of measurements from Wide and Cube scans of both devices. Three Triton and three Maestro operator/device configurations were created by pairing three operators, with study eye and testing order randomized. Three scans were captured for Wide (12 mm × 9 mm), Macular Cube (7 mm × 7 mm–Triton; 6 mm × 6 mm-Maestro), and Optic Disc Cube (6 mm × 6 mm) scans for 25 normal eyes and 25 glaucoma eyes. Parameter measurements included circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer(cpRNFL), ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCL+), and ganglion cell complex (GCL++). A two-way random effect analysis of variance model was used to estimate the repeatability and reproducibility; agreement was evaluated by Bland–Altman analysis and Deming regression. The precision estimates were low, indicating high precision, for all thickness measurements with the majority of the limits < 5 µm for the macula and < 10 µm for the optic disc. Precision of the Wide and Cube scans were comparable. Excellent agreement between the two devices was found for Wide scans, with the mean difference < 3 µm across all measurements (cpRNFL < 3 µm, GCL+  < 2 µm, GCL ++  < 1 µm), indicating interoperability. A single Wide scan covering the peripapillary and macular regions may be useful for glaucoma diagnosis and management.
Rapid sub-nanomolar protein determination in serum using electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers (E-MIPs)
Authors: Stephen A. N. , Dennison S. R. , Holden M. A. , Reddy S. M.
Published: September 2023

Electropolymerized MIP (E-MIP) on disposable electrode for rapid and quantitative sub-nanomolar protein determination in serum using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Simple and rapid KD determination for E-MIP.
Quantification of solution-free red blood cell staining by sorption kinetics of Romanowsky stains to agarose gels
Authors: Bae Chae Yun , Esmaeili Hamid , Zamin Syed A. , Seol Min Jeong , Hwang Eunmi , Beak Suk Kyung , Song Younghoon , Bharti Bhuvnesh , Jung Jangwook P.
Published: September 2023

The imaging and quantification of stained red blood cells (RBCs) are important for identifying RBCs in hematology and for diagnosing diseased RBCs or parasites in cytopathology.
Computational modeling guided design of metal–organic frameworks for photocatalysis – a mini review
Authors: Yu Sheng , Wang Qiaomin , Wang Jinglei , Fang Cong , Li Yuanzhe , Ge Jiankai , Fang Baizeng
Published: September 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials used in photocatalysis. Their structure is optimized using computational modeling. This review emphasizes the role of computational design in enhancing MOF efficiency.
Refinement of sensitive azides via in situ generated azole-based metal–organic frameworks towards stable energetic materials
Authors: Xie Hao-Hui , Weng Jiao-Lin , Song Ji-Xing , Yang Wen-Jing , Wang Qin , Cui Meng , Zheng Fa-Kun , Qiu Ren-Hui , Xu Jian-Gang
Published: September 2023

Sensitive azide anions were embedded into EMOFs with high-energy densities and reliable sensitivities toward mechanical stimulation through the selection of a neutral nitrogen-rich ligand via an in situ hydrothermal reaction.
[Ba4X][In19S32] (X = Cl, Br): two quaternary metal chalcohalides exhibiting remarkable photocurrent responses
Authors: Tang Chunlan , Xing Wenhao , Liang Fei , Tang Jian , Wu Jieyun , Yin Wenlong , Kang Bin
Published: September 2023

Two novel centrosymmetric chalcogenides [Ba4X][In19S32] (X = Cl, Br) were successfully synthesized and they display remarkable photocurrent responses under simulated solar-light illumination.
Co(dppbsa)-catalyzed reductive N,N-dimethylation of nitroaromatics with CO2 and hydrosilane
Authors: Ma Shuang-Shuang , Sun Rui , Zhang Zi-Heng , Guan Peng-Xin , Lin Jin-Qing , Li Chun-Shan , Xu Bao-Hua
Published: September 2023

A novel half-sandwich Co(dppbsa) ([Co]) was synthesized and employed for the catalytic N,N-dimethylation of nitroaromatics with CO2 and hydrosilane. The same catalyst also enabled the highly efficient reduction of nitroaromatics to aromatic amines.
Water-soluble polyphosphonate-based bottlebrush copolymers via aqueous ring-opening metathesis polymerization
Authors: Resendiz-Lara Diego A. , Azhdari Suna , Gojzewski Hubert , Gröschel Andre H. , Wurm Frederik R.
Published: September 2023

Water-soluble and biodegradable polyphosphoester polymer bottlebrush copolymers and amphiphilic assemblies prepared by a combination of anionic ring-opening and metathesis polymerization.
Host–guest system of a phosphorylated macrocycle assisting structure determination of oily molecules in single-crystal form
Authors: Jiao Jianmin , Li Heng , Xie Wang , Zhao Yue , Lin Chen , Jiang Juli , Wang Leyong
Published: September 2023

CTX[P(O)Ph], a censer-shaped macrocycle, was used as a host to crystallize with oily guest organic molecules. Their well-ordered crystal structures and absolute configurations were described unambiguously by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Optical & electrochemical fiber-optic sensor: in situ detection of antibiotics with fM detection limit
Authors: Peng Xiaoling , Peng Bo , Wang Xicheng , Ren Zhicong , Yang Zhiyong , Liu Lei , Li Jiahai , Chen Liang , You Daotong , Li Jianqing , Du Minghui , Guo Tuan
Published: September 2023

The ultrasensitive and rapid detection of antibiotics is crucial for environmental monitoring and risk management.
Secure transmission for reconfigurable intelligent surface assisted communication with CV‐DDPG
Authors: Gao Ling , Xu Li , Zhang Yuexin , Lin Wei
Published: September 2023

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) has great potential in securing wireless transmission, and it can flexibly change the wireless communication environment. However, the employment of RIS increases the difficulty in beamforming of base station (BS), and existing schemes cannot be directly utilized to enhance the security of system. Therefore, a reinforcement learning framework to jointly control BS and RIS for the purpose of enhancing the secure performance is proposed. Specifically, the beamforming ia transformed with artificial noise and reflection control as a Markov decision problem (MDP) in complex domain. Then, we develop the deep deterministic policy gradient based on complex‐valued neural networks (CV‐DDPG) to imitate the rules of complex computation. Additionally, the CV‐DDPG is performed as the agent of reinforcement learning to control the BS and RIS, which enables better utilization of the implied phase information of complex values in the system. The simulation results show that the proposed model promotes the performance of the control and greatly improves the secrecy rate of the legitimate user.
Selective real‐time adversarial perturbations against deep reinforcement learning agents
Authors: Yao Hongjin , Li Yisheng , Sun Yunpeng , Lian Zhichao
Published: September 2023

Recent work has shown that deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is vulnerable to adversarial attacks, so that exploiting vulnerabilities in DRL systems through adversarial attack techniques has become a necessary prerequisite for building robust DRL systems. Compared to traditional deep learning systems, DRL systems are characterised by long sequential decisions rather than one‐step decision, so attackers must perform multi‐step attacks on them. To successfully attack a DRL system, the number of attacks must be minimised to avoid detecting by the victim agent and to ensure the effectiveness of the attack. Some selective attack methods proposed in recent researches, that is, attacking an agent at partial time steps, are not applicable to real‐time attack scenarios, although they can avoid detecting by the victim agent. A real‐time selective attack method that is applicable to environments with discrete action spaces is proposed. Firstly, the optimal attack threshold T for performing selective attacks in the environment Env is determined. Then, the observation states corresponding to when the value of the action preference function of the victim agent in multiple eposides exceeds the threshold T are added to the training set according to this threshold. Finally, a universal perturbation is generated based on this training set, and it is used to perform real‐time selective attacks on the victim agent. Comparative experiments show that our attack method can perform real‐time attacks while maintaining the attack effect and stealthiness.
Input channel gain adaptive active disturbance rejection control based on robust adaptive finite‐time parameter estimation
Authors: Qiu Shiyin , Guo Wei , Liu Yuan , Li Mantian
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a novel input channel gain adaptive active disturbance rejection control (ICGA‐ADRC) framework for the nonlinear control system with large load variation. This paper first introduces the design of ICGA‐ADRC and proves its stability through the rigorous Lyapunov approach. Subsequently, the proposed controller is simulated by subjecting it to a nonlinear mass‐spring‐damping system characterized by significant load variations. Furthermore, the position‐tracking performance of the controller is tested experimentally by using a motor‐driven pendulum system with various loads. Finally, the results of both simulations and experiments show that the ICGA‐ADRC is capable of compensating for system model uncertainty and external perturbation while accurately estimating the system input channel gain in real‐time. The innovation of this paper is that the robustness of active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) to the system load variation is significantly strengthened by integrating robust adaptive finite‐time parameter estimation method into the conventional ADRC control architecture.
Event‐based dynamic output feedback control of fuzzy systems against DoS attacks
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Chen Sichao , Weng Liguo , Chen Xiaoming
Published: September 2023

This paper deals with the event‐triggered dynamic output feedback control for fuzzy systems against denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks. The DoS attack behavior is modeled using a binary Markov chain to reflect the unreliability of the communication channel. To reduce network communication overhead, a novel probabilistic event‐triggered protocol with uncertain probabilities is introduced. Additionally, the potential mismatches between premise variables and modes in both the fuzzy system and the controller are accounted, leading to the design of a dual‐asynchronous dynamic output feedback controller. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed approach is validated through a comprehensive numerical example, highlighting its effectiveness in handling asynchronous control scenarios and DoS attack resilience in fuzzy systems.
MMC‐HVDC AC side line protection based on positive sequence fault component current ratio
Authors: Huang Hanqing , Wang Zengping
Published: September 2023

The high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission based on modular multilevel converter shows the weak feed characteristic of limited fault current amplitude when connected to the traditional AC power grid, which leads to the risk of sensitivity reduction or even failure of the traditional pilot protection. Here, a modular multi‐level converter (MMC)‐HVDC AC side transmission line protection scheme based on positive sequence fault component current ratio is proposed. The positive sequence fault component current of the MMC‐HVDC side is calculated by using the positive sequence fault component current of the power grid side, and the fault is identified through the significant difference between the ratio of the positive sequence fault component current of the MMC‐HVDC side and the actual positive sequence fault component current of the MMC‐HVDC side in the case of internal and external faults. This method has the advantages of simple principle, low requirement for synchronous data, not affected by capacitive current and strong resistance to high resistance. The simulation results show that the algorithm can correctly partition internal and external faults, and is not affected by fault location, fault type and operation mode of converter station, and has high sensitivity and reliability.
Development in ambient backscatter communications
Authors: Chang Shujuan , Ding Yuan
Published: September 2023

Backscatter communication (BackCom), the underlying technology for modern‐day Radio Frequency Identification, has been studied as a promising solution for future ultra‐low power Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) applications. Its development has pushed the performance boundaries significantly, in terms of communication distance, data transmission rate, and power consumption. An up‐to‐date review of one branch of BackCom systems, namely Ambient BackCom, which utilises the already available ambient signals, instead of a dedicated radio frequency carrier in most of the BackCom works, to establish BackCom links is conducted. This further reduces the cost and complexity of the system and opens an opportunity for mass deployment.
Probing the physics in the core boundary layers of the double-lined B-type binary KIC 4930889 from its gravito-inertial modes
Authors: Michielsen M. , Van Reeth T. , Tkachenko A. , Aerts C.
Published: September 2023

Context.Stellar evolution models of B-type stars are still uncertain in terms of internal mixing properties, notably in the area between the convective core and the radiative envelope. This impacts age determination of such stars in addition to the computation of chemical yields produced at the end of their life.

Aims.We investigated the thermal and chemical structure and rotation rate in the near-core boundary layer of the double-lined B-type binary KIC 4930889 from its four-yearKeplerlight curve, ground-based spectroscopy, andGaiaastrometry.

Methods.We computed grids of 1D stellar structure and evolution models for different mixing profiles and prescriptions of the temperature gradient in the near-core region. We examined the preferred prescription and the near-core rotation rate using 22 prograde dipole modes detected byKeplerphotometry of KIC 4930889. We employed a Mahalanobis distance merit function and considered various nested stellar model grids, rewarding goodness of fit but penalising model complexity.

Results.We were able to constrain the near-core rotation rate of the pulsator to Ωrot = 0.73−0.06+0.02 d−1. Furthermore, we found a preference for either an exponentially decaying mixing profile in the near-core region or absence of additional near-core mixing, but found no preference among the various options for the temperature gradient in this region. The frequency (co)variances of our theoretical predictions are much larger than the errors on the observed frequencies. This forms the main limitation on further constraining the individual parameters of our models. A combination of spectroscopic, astrometric, binary, and asteroseismic information was used to achieve these constraints. Additionally, non-adiabatic pulsation computations of our best models indicate a need for opacity enhancements to accurately reproduce the observed mode excitation.

Conclusions.The eccentric close binary system KIC 4930889 proves to be a promising target to investigate additional physics in close binaries by developing new modelling methods with the capacity to include the effect of tidal interactions for full exploitation of all detected oscillation modes.
Advancing interplanetary magnetohydrodynamic models through solar energetic particle modelling
Authors: Niemela A. , Wijsen N. , Aran A. , Rodriguez L. , Magdalenic J. , Poedts S.
Published: September 2023

Aims.This study utilises a modelling approach to investigate the impact of perturbed solar wind conditions caused by multiple interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) on the evolution of solar energetic particle (SEP) distributions. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of SEP models in evaluating the performance of solar wind and coronal mass ejection (CME) models. To illustrate these concepts, we focussed on modelling the gradual SEP event that occurred on 2023 March 15.

Methods.We utilised the 3D magnetohydrodynamic model EUHFORIA (EUropean Heliospheric FORecasting Information Asset) to simulate the various ICMEs that caused the highly perturbed solar wind conditions observed during the March 15 event. We conducted three separate EUHFORIA simulations, employing both non-magnetised and magnetised models for these ICMEs. To analyse the behaviour of energetic particles in the simulated solar wind environments, we employed the energetic particle transport and acceleration model PARADISE (PArticle Radiation Asset Directed at Interplanetary Space Exploration).

Results.In the vicinity of Earth, the three EUHFORIA simulations exhibit strong similarities and closely match the observed in situ data. Nevertheless, when incorporating these distinct solar wind configurations into PARADISE, notable disparities emerge in the simulated SEP intensities. This discrepancy can be attributed to the different magnetic enhancements and closed magnetic structures introduced by the different CME models within the EUHFORIA simulations. These variations strongly impact the transport mechanisms of SEPs, leading to significant deviations in the particle intensities simulated by PARADISE. Furthermore, our findings highlight the significance of cross-field diffusion even in scenarios with reduced perpendicular mean free path. This effect becomes particularly prominent when SEPs are trapped within the inner heliosphere due to the presence of ICMEs. In these scenarios, the extended duration of confinement allows the slower cross-field diffusion process to become more pronounced and exert a greater influence on the spatial distribution of SEPs, especially near and within the boundaries of ICMEs.

Conclusions.Solar energetic particle models enable us to indirectly validate the accuracy of the underlying solar wind and CME models across significant portions of the heliosphere, rather than solely relying on discrete points where spacecraft are situated. This broader validation provides valuable insights into the reliability and effectiveness of the CME models on a global scale.
What drives the wheels of evolution in NGC 1512?
Authors: Robin Thomas , Kartha Sreeja S. , Ujjwal Krishnan , Saha Kanak , Parekh Viral , George Koshy , Mathew Blesson
Published: September 2023

Context.Environmental and secular processes play a pivotal role in the evolution of galaxies. These can be external processes such as interactions or internal processes linked to the action of bar, bulge, and spiral structures. Ongoing star formation in spiral galaxies can be affected by these processes. By studying the star formation progression in the galaxy, we can gain insights into the role of different processes that regulate the overall evolution of a galaxy.

Aims.The ongoing interaction between the barred-spiral galaxy NGC 1512 and its satellite NGC 1510 offers an opportunity to investigate how galactic interactions and the presence of a galactic bar influence the evolution of NGC 1512. We aim to understand the recent star formation activity in the galaxy pair and thus gain insight into the evolution of NGC 1512.

Methods.The UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board AstroSat enables us to characterise the star-forming regions in the galaxy with a superior spatial resolution of ∼85 pc in the galaxy rest frame. We identified and characterised 175 star-forming regions in the UVIT far-ultraviolet (FUV) image of NGC 1512 and correlated with the neutral hydrogen (H I) distribution. Extinction correction was applied to the estimated photometric magnitude. We traced the star-forming spiral arms of the galaxy and studied the star formation properties across the galaxy in detail.

Results.We detect localised regions of star-formation enhancement and distortions in the galactic disc. We find this to be consistent with the distribution of H Iin the galaxy. This is evidence of past and ongoing interactions affecting the star formation properties of the galaxy. We studied the properties of the inner ring. We find that the regions of the inner ring show maximum star-formation-rate density (log(SFRDmean[M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2]) ∼ −1.7) near the major axis of the bar, hinting at a possible crowding effect in these regions. The region of the bar in the galaxy is also depleted of UV emission. This absence suggests that the galactic bar may have played an active role in the redistribution of gas and quenching of star formation inside the identified bar region. We therefore suggest that both secular and environmental factors might be influencing the evolution of NGC 1512.
External auditors’ use and perceptions of fraud factors in assessing fraudulent financial reporting risk (FFRR): Implications for audit policy and practice
Authors: Kassem Rasha
Published: September 2023

This study used semi-structured interviews with twenty-four external auditors to explore how they perceive and use fraud factors when assessing fraudulent financial reporting risk in external audits. The fraud factors include top management’s motive, integrity, opportunity, rationalisation, and capabilities. The participants work for Big four audit firms and have international auditing experience, specifically in the US, the UK, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. The findings reveal that top management’s integrity and motives are, in theory, the most critical factors in fraud risk assessment. However, a self-selection bias pushes external auditors not to evaluate these essential factors because they are too complicated to assess, and not enough guidance is provided to them by standard setters or audit firms. In turn, external auditors concentrate mainly on evaluating the opportunities to commit fraud when assessing fraud risk. This may lead to non-optimal fraud risk assessment and, ultimately, non-optimal audit quality. The findings have implications for policy, practice, and future research, later discussed.
The effects of COVID-19 on imagined reproductive futures
Authors: Abel Charlotte
Published: September 2023

Macro-level crises affect individual lives and behaviors. One of COVID-19’s many effects was to disrupt the way people imagined their own and their children’s’ futures or imagined reproductive futures. Using 65 interviews collected between March and July 2020 with mothers who experienced pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period at the onset of COVID-19 in the US, this study examines two elements of reproduction and futurity; first, how the pandemic exacerbated health, economic, racial, and global emergency stressors to create unique reproductive experiences and nuanced imagined reproductive futures. Second, I use Lee Edelman’s concept of reproductive futurism amidst COVID-19 to inquire whether reproduction maintains a compulsory sense of optimism amidst periods of social disruption. I find that despite the various stressors and in addition to the shared disruption of the pandemic, there remains a widespread maternal optimism about reproduction across birthing people with different intersectional social identities. Diverse imaginations of futurity are likely to impact reproductive practices and the meaning-making associated with them; in this research, I use maternal subjectivities to illustrate how narratives and experiences of reproduction are contextual, and offer a distinct avenue toward theoretical analyses of futurity.
Evolution of mediated memory in the digital age: tracing its path from the 1950s to 2010s
Authors: Han Yingyi
Published: September 2023

In the digital age, the relationship between human memory and media is intimate and impossible to separate. This understanding serves as the foundation for this study of mediated memory, which includes an investigation into how memory is stored, represented, and communicated via different forms of media. Despite its significance, there has yet to be a comprehensive review leading to a complete understanding of mediated memory research, particularly from the 1950s to the 2010s. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap through an extensive literature review. It examines research spanning multiple decades, focusing on the methods and paradigms used in previous mediated memory studies. The review uncovers a dual-sided representation of memory. Neurological-cognitive science research suggests that memory is represented through technology, particularly in neuroimaging techniques. Conversely, humanities and social science research highlight memory’s cultural representation through digital media, such as television, computers, smartphones, the internet, and social media. The review reveals a dichotomy in mediated memory research, with a risk of oversimplification due to the distinct paradigms. However, since the late 2000s, an interdisciplinary approach has gained momentum, leading to a more integrated perspective on mediated memory. This paper offers a comprehensive review of mediated memory studies from the 1950s to the 2010s, providing historical context, key theories, methodologies, and debates. It also identifies three distinct trajectories in these studies and highlights the gaps and issues that exist in the current research. These findings carry profound implications for future mediated memory research, advocating for a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to advance our understanding of how memory is shaped and represented in the digital age.
Melissa officinalis essential oil loaded polycaprolactone membranes: evaluation of antimicrobial activities and cytocompatibility for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Iyigundogdu Zeynep , Petek Betül Sena , Capkin Yurtsever Merve , Ceylan Seda
Published: September 2023

Antimicrobial biomaterials play important role in tissue engineering applications to protect damaged tissue from infections. The aim of this study is producing antimicrobial polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes by using a plant based antimicrobial agent. Therefore, Melissa officinalis essential oil (MEO) was investigated against ten types of microorganisms and remarkable antimicrobial activity was demonstrated. PCL:MEO membranes were prepared by solvent casting method by mixing MEO into PCL in various ratios (PCL:0M, PCL:0.25M, PCL:0.5M, and PCL:1M w/w). Water contact angle measurements showed that hydrophilicity of the membranes increased with increasing concentrations of MEO from 103.44° to 83.36° for PCL:0M and PCL:1M, respectively. It was determined that there was an inverse relationship between the MEO concentration and the mechanical properties. Notable antioxidant activity of PCL/MEO membranes was exhibited by the inhibition percent of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) which was increased from 24.74% to 44.79% for PCL:0M and PCL:1M, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of MEO was also highly maintained in PCL membranes. For PCL/MEO membranes, at least 99.9% of microorganisms were inhibited. Cytocompatibility of the membranes were investigated by resazurin assay, scanning electron microscopy analysis and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. PCL:0.25M and PCL:0.5M membranes supported the viability of L929 cells more than 87% when compared to PCL:0M membranes on day 6. However, the viability of L929 cells on PCL:1M membranes was about 43% indicating significant decrease on cellular activity. In conclusion, PCL:0.25M and PCL:0.5M membranes with their high antimicrobial activity, acceptable mechanical properties and cytocompatible properties, they can be considered as an alternative biomaterial for tissue engineering applications.
Challenges and improvements associated with transitions between hospitals and care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study with care home and healthcare staff in England
Authors: Newman Craig , Mulrine Stephanie , Brittain Katie , Dawson Pamela , Mason Celia , Spencer Michele , Sykes Kate , Underwood Frazer , Young-Murphy Lesley , Waring Justin , Scott Jason
Published: September 2023

Background

Care home residents transitioning from hospital are at risk of receiving poor-quality care with their safety being challenged by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) pandemic. Little is known about how care home staff worked with hospital staff and other healthcare professionals to address these challenges and make improvements to increase patient safety.

Objective

To gain insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the safety of transitions between hospital and care home.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with care home staff and healthcare professionals involved in hospital to care home transitions including doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, social workers, and occupational therapists. Commonalities and patterns in the data were identified using thematic analysis.

Results

Seventy participants were interviewed. Three themes were developed, first, ‘new challenges’, described care homes were pressurised to receive hospital patients amidst issues with COVID-19 testing, changes to working practices and contentious media attention, which all impacted staff negatively. Second, ‘dehumanisation’ described how care home residents were treated, being isolated from others amounted to feelings of being imprisoned, caused fear and engendered negative reactions from families. Third, ‘better ways of working’ described how health and social care workers developed relationships that improved integration and confidence and benefited care provision.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to and compounded high-risk hospital-to-care home discharges. Government policy failed to support care homes. Rapid discharge objectives exposed a myriad of infection control issues causing inhumane conditions for care home residents. However, staff involved in transitions continued to provide and improve upon care provision.
Plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of dementia: a population-based study
Authors: de Crom Tosca O E , Steur Marinka , Ikram M Kamran , Ikram M Arfan , Voortman Trudy
Published: September 2023

Background

Plant-based dietary patterns are increasingly popular in western countries and are supported by many governments and health organisations for their potential beneficial role in the prevention of chronic diseases. Yet, the potential role of plant-based dietary patterns in the development of dementia remains unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the association between plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of dementia.

Methods

Dietary intake was measured at baseline in 9,543 dementia-free participants (mean age 64 years, birth years 1897–1960, 58% women) of the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study, using food frequency questionnaires. Based on these questionnaires, we calculated an overall plant-based dietary index (PDI), healthy PDI (hPDI) and unhealthy PDI (uPDI), with higher scores reflecting higher consumption of (any, healthy and unhealthy, respectively) plant-based foods and lower consumption of animal-based foods. We analysed the association of the PDIs with incident dementia using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 14.5 years, 1,472 participants developed dementia. Overall, the PDIs were not associated with the risk of dementia (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] per 10-point increase: 0.99 [0.91–1.08] for PDI, 0.93 [0.86–1.01] for hPDI, 1.02 [0.94–1.10] for uPDI). However, among men and APOE ε4 carriers, a higher hPDI was linearly associated with a lower risk of dementia (0.86 [0.75–0.99] and 0.83 [0.73–0.95], respectively), while this association was U-shaped among APOE ε4 non-carriers (P value for non-linearity = 0.01).

Conclusions

We found no strong evidence for an overall association between plant-based eating and the risk of dementia. Our findings in stratified analyses warranted further investigation.
Luteolin inhibits Porphyromonas gingivalis growth and alleviates alveolar bone destruction in experimental murine periodontitis
Authors: Kariu Toru , Hamada Nobushiro , Lakshmyya Kesavalu
Published: September 2023

Periodontal disease is a major oral infectious disease that destroys alveolar bones and causes tooth loss. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen that plays a crucial role in periodontitis. In our previous study on the anti-P. gingivalis activity of flavonoid, luteolin, a major flavonoid in edible plants, inhibited the proteolytic activity of gingipains, the major virulence factor in P. gingivalis. This study demonstrated luteolin in vitro and in vivo anti-bacterial activities. Thus, luteolin inhibits planktonic growth and biofilm formation in P. gingivalis. Furthermore, oral administration of luteolin alleviated maxillary alveolar bone resorption (ABR) in murine periodontitis induced by P. gingivalis infection. These results indicate that luteolin may be a potential therapeutic compound that targets P. gingivalis by hindering its growth, biofilm formation, and ABR in the oral cavity.
DeepCCI: a deep learning framework for identifying cell–cell interactions from single-cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Yang Wenyi , Wang Pingping , Luo Meng , Cai Yideng , Xu Chang , Xue Guangfu , Jin Xiyun , Cheng Rui , Que Jinhao , Pang Fenglan , Yang Yuexin , Nie Huan , Jiang Qinghua , Liu Zhigang , Xu Zhaochun
Published: September 2023

Motivation

Cell–cell interactions (CCIs) play critical roles in many biological processes such as cellular differentiation, tissue homeostasis, and immune response. With the rapid development of high throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies, it is of high importance to identify CCIs from the ever-increasing scRNA-seq data. However, limited by the algorithmic constraints, current computational methods based on statistical strategies ignore some key latent information contained in scRNA-seq data with high sparsity and heterogeneity.

Results

Here, we developed a deep learning framework named DeepCCI to identify meaningful CCIs from scRNA-seq data. Applications of DeepCCI to a wide range of publicly available datasets from diverse technologies and platforms demonstrate its ability to predict significant CCIs accurately and effectively. Powered by the flexible and easy-to-use software, DeepCCI can provide the one-stop solution to discover meaningful intercellular interactions and build CCI networks from scRNA-seq data.

Availability and implementation

The source code of DeepCCI is available online at https://github.com/JiangBioLab/DeepCCI.
Pitch posture regulation in Peking geckos (Gekko swinhonis): assessing the role of tails before take-off in upward jumping
Authors: Yuan Jiwei , Wang Zhouyi , Song Yi , Dai Zhendong
Published: September 2023

Small vertebrates, such as geckos, often use their tails to regulate their posture after take-off and suppress abnormal rotations in mid-air (such as sliding and falling). However, research on tail function before take-off remains scarce, particularly when animals overcome gravity to jump upward. This study examined tailed and tailless geckos’ ability to jump over obstacles. The tails swung up and reached their upper limits during take-off, corresponding to a continuous increase in their trunk elevation angle. Compared to tailless geckos, geckos with intact tails had lower body and tail angular velocities. In addition, tailed geckos achieved larger take-off angles and higher jumps; moreover, their take-off angles were consistent with their velocity angles. Theoretical analyses demonstrated that the tail and its upward swing before take-off could benefit lifting the forelimb and hindlimbs off the ground, expanding the stability area of their centre of mass (COM). A robot prototype verified the effect of the tail and its swing on trunk elevation before take-off. Other parameters, such as the posture of the hindlimbs (support length and angle) and initial angle of the trunk, affect posture regulation. This study significantly extends our knowledge in animal locomotion and provides indispensable information for improving robot jumping ability.
Presence of key cholinergic enzymes in human spermatozoa and seminal fluid
Authors: Thakur Banita , Hasooni Laila Pamela , Gera Ruchi , Mitra Sumonto , Björndahl Lars , Darreh-Shori Taher
Published: September 2023

Little is known about the non-neuronal spermic cholinergic system, which may regulate sperm motility and the acrosome reaction initiation process. We investigated the presence of the key acetylcholine (ACh)-biosynthesizing enzyme, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and the acetylcholine-degrading enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and two ACh-receptors in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma. Fresh ejaculates were used for intra- and extracellular flow cytometric analysis of ChAT, AChE, BChE, and alpha-7-nicotinic and M1-muscarinic ACh-receptors in sperm. For determining the source of soluble enzymes, frozen seminal samples (n = 74) were selected on two bases: (1) from vasectomized (n = 37) and non-vasectomized (n = 37) subjects and (2) based on levels of alpha-glucosidase, fructose, or zinc to define sample subgroups with high or low fluid contribution from the epididymis and seminal vesicle, and prostate, respectively. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that ChAT was expressed intracellularly in essentially all spermatozoa. ChAT was also present in a readily membrane-detachable form at the extracellular membrane of at least 18% of the spermatozoa. These were also highly positive for intra- and extracellular BChE (>83%) and M1 (>84%) and α7 (>59%) ACh-receptors. Intriguingly, the sperm was negative for AChE. Analyses of seminal plasma revealed that spermatozoa and epididymides were major sources of soluble ChAT and BChE, whereas soluble AChE most likely originated from epididymides and seminal vesicles. Prostate had relatively minor contribution to the pool of the soluble enzymes in the seminal fluid. In conclusion, human spermatozoa exhibited a cholinergic phenotype and were one of the major sources of soluble ChAT and BChE in ejaculate. We also provide the first evidence for ChAT as an extracellularly membrane-anchored protein.
British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for biologic therapy for psoriasis 2023: a pragmatic update
Authors: Smith Catherine H , Yiu Zenas Z N , Bale Tracy , Burden A David , Coates Laura C , Eckert Elizabeth , Longley Nicky , Mahil Satveer K , McGuire Arlene , Murphy Ruth , Nelson-Piercy Catherine , Owen Caroline M , Parslew Richard , Woolf Richard T , Mansour Kiaee Zahra , Constantin Alina M , Ezejimofor Martinsixtus C , Exton Lesley S , Mohd Mustapa M Firouz
Published: September 2023

The article provides a pragmatic update of the British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for biologic therapy for psoriasis.
Update on Outbreak of Fungal Meningitis Among US Residents Who Received Epidural Anesthesia at Two Clinics in Matamoros, Mexico
Authors: Smith Dallas J , Gold Jeremy A W , Chiller Tom , Bustamante Nirma D , Marinissen Maria Julia , Rodriquez Gabriel Garcia , Cortes Vladimir Brian Gonzalez , Molina Celida Duque , Williams Samantha , Vazquez Deida Axel A , Byrd Katrina , Pappas Peter G , Patterson Thomas F , Wiederhold Nathan P , Thompson George R , Ostrosky-Zeichner Luis ,   Fungal Meningitis Response Team, Malani Anurag N , Kauffman Carol A , Perfect John R , Lyman Meghan , Lockhart Shawn R , Litvintseva Anastasia P , Parada Victoria , Castillo James W , Maldonado Jose Campo , Rivas JulieAnna , Zabel Karen , Koenecke Lori , Godwin Simone , Wilson Christopher D , Evert Nicole , Dang Thi , Prot Emilie , Castillo Raquel , Khan Ameera , Rincon Layda , Ruiz Ashley , Offiong Charlene , Zangeneh Ana , Pearson Jessica , Van Fleet Karen
Published: September 2023

Background

Public health officials are responding to an outbreak of fungal meningitis among patients who received procedures under epidural anesthesia at 2 clinics (River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3) in Matamoros, Mexico, during 1 January to 13 May 2023. This report describes outbreak epidemiology and outlines interim diagnostic and treatment recommendations.

Methods

Interim recommendations for diagnosis and management were developed by the Mycoses Study Group Research Education and Consortium (MSGERC) based on the clinical experience of clinicians caring for patients during the current outbreak or during previous outbreaks of healthcare-associated fungal meningitis in Durango, Mexico, and the United States.

Results

As of 7 July 2023, the situation has evolved into a multistate and multinational fungal meningitis outbreak. A total of 185 residents in 22 US states and jurisdictions have been identified who might be at risk of fungal meningitis because they received epidural anesthesia at the clinics of interest in 2023. Among these patients, 11 suspected, 10 probable, and 10 confirmed US cases have been diagnosed, with severe vascular complications and 8 deaths occurring. Fusarium solani species complex has been identified as the causative agent, with antifungal susceptibility testing of a single isolate demonstrating poor in vitro activity for most available antifungals. Currently, triple therapy with intravenous voriconazole, liposomal amphotericin B, and fosmanogepix is recommended.

Conclusions

Efforts to understand the source of this outbreak and optimal treatment approaches are ongoing, but infectious diseases physicians should be aware of available treatment recommendations. New information will be available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC's) website.
Coalitional Double Auction For Ridesharing With Desired Benefit And QoE Constraints
Authors: Huang Jiale , Wu Jigang , Chen Long , Wu Yalan , Li Yidong
Published: September 2023

Ridesharing is an effective approach to alleviate traffic congestion. In most existing works, drivers and passengers are assigned prices without considering the constraints of desired benefits. This paper investigates ridesharing by formulating a matching and pricing problem to maximize the total payoff of drivers, with the constraints of desired benefit and quality of experience. An efficient algorithm is proposed to solve the formulated problem based on coalitional double auction. Secondary pricing based strategy and sacrificed minimum bid based strategy are proposed to support the algorithm. This paper also proves that the proposed algorithm can achieve a Nash-stable coalition partition in finite steps, and the proposed two strategies guarantee truthfulness, individually rational and budget balance. Extensive simulation results on the real-world dataset of taxi trajectory in Beijing city show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing ones, in terms of average total payoff of drivers while meeting the benefits of passengers.