bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infant and young child feeding practices in refugee settings across 203 population‐based surveys from 2013–2019
Authors: Kianian Behzad , Leidman Eva , Bilukha Oleg
Published: November 2023

Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) plays a crucial role in early childhood growth and development. This study summarizes recent IYCF practices in multiple refugee settings and compares them to those in the host countries. We analyzed 203 surveys conducted among refugees residing in 15 countries and 120 unique sites and assessed eight IYCF indicators available from those surveys. A total of 146 surveys were conducted in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and 50 in Western and Central Africa (WCA) regions. The median prevalence across surveys of all four indicators describing intake of breast milk was relatively high: 96.6% for ever breastfed, 81.2% for initiation of breastfeeding within 1 h of birth, 76.9% for exclusive breastfeeding 0–5 months, and 75.0% for continued breastfeeding 12–23 months. The median prevalence of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding was markedly higher in ESA than in WCA (85.0% vs. 37.5% and 83.5% vs. 56.1%, respectively). Conversely, the overall median prevalence of timely introduction of solid and semisolid foods and flesh food consumption was low: 51.8% and 16.1%, respectively. Flesh food consumption was higher in WCA than in ESA (27.4% vs. 11.6%). The median prevalence of mixed milk feeding at 0–5 months and bottle feeding was very low: 2.4% and 3.8%, respectively. Indicators describing breast milk intake were generally either similar or higher in refugees than in the host country populations, whereas the other indicators were generally higher in the host populations than in refugees. The low prevalence of timely introduction of solids and of flesh food consumption in refugees is concerning and requires substantial improvement.
Constitutive activation of ABA receptors in Arabidopsis reveals unique regulatory circuitries
Authors: Pri‐Tal Oded , Sun Yufei , Dadras Armin , Fürst‐Jansen Janine M. R. , Zimran Gil , Michaeli Daphna , Wijerathna‐Yapa Akila , Shpilman Michal , Merilo Ebe , Yarmolinsky Dmitry , Efroni Idan , de Vries Jan , Kollist Hannes , Mosquna Assaf
Published: November 2023

Abscisic acid (ABA) is best known for regulating the responses to abiotic stressors. Thus, applications of ABA signaling pathways are considered promising targets for securing yield under stress. ABA levels rise in response to abiotic stress, mounting physiological and metabolic responses that promote plant survival under unfavorable conditions. ABA elicits its effects by binding to a family of soluble receptors found in monomeric and dimeric states, differing in their affinity to ABA and co‐receptors. However, the in vivo significance of the biochemical differences between these receptors remains unclear.

We took a gain‐of‐function approach to study receptor‐specific functionality. First, we introduced activating mutations that enforce active ABA‐bound receptor conformation. We then transformed Arabidopsis ABA‐deficient mutants with the constitutive receptors and monitored suppression of the ABA deficiency phenotype.

Our findings suggest that PYL4 and PYL5, monomeric ABA receptors, have differential activity in regulating transpiration and transcription of ABA biosynthesis and stress response genes. Through genetic and metabolic data, we demonstrate that PYR1, but not PYL5, is sufficient to activate the ABA positive feedback mechanism.

We propose that ABA signaling – from perception to response – flows differently when triggered by different PYLs, due to tissue and transcription barriers, thus resulting in distinct circuitries.
Description of four new HLA‐B alleles in Brazilian bone marrow donors
Authors: de Oliveira Anthony Marçal Leão , Massi Fernanda Pelisson , Pinto Larissa Danielle Bahls , Zacarias Joana Maira Valentini , Visentainer Jeane Eliete Laguila
Published: November 2023

Four new HLA‐B alleles were identified in Brazilian individuals using next generation sequencing.
Simultaneous Evaluation of Tibiofemoral and Patellofemoral Mechanics in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Combined Experimental and Computational Approach
Authors: Behnam Yashar A. , Anantha Krishnan Ahilan , Wilson Hayden , Clary Chadd W.
Published: November 2023

Contemporary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not fully restored natural patellofemoral (P-F) mechanics across the patient population. Previous experimental simulations have been limited in their ability to create dynamic, unconstrained, muscle-driven P-F articulation while simultaneously controlling tibiofemoral (T-F) contact mechanics. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel experimental simulation and validate a corresponding finite element model to evaluate T-F and P-F mechanics. A commercially available wear simulator was retrofitted with custom fixturing to evaluate whole-knee TKA mechanics with varying patella heights during a simulated deep knee bend. A corresponding dynamic finite element model was developed to validate kinematic and kinetic predictions against experimental measurements. Patella alta reduced P-F reaction forces in early and midflexion, corresponding with an increase in T-F forces that indicated an increase in extensor mechanism efficiency. Due to reduced wrapping of the extensor mechanism in deeper flexion for the alta condition, peak P-F forces in flexion increased from 101% to 135% of the applied quadriceps load for the baja and alta conditions, respectively. Strong agreement was observed between the experiment and model predictions with root-mean-square errors (RMSE) for P-F kinematics ranging from 0.8 deg to 3.3 deg and 0.7 mm to 1.4 mm. RMSE for P-F forces ranged from 7.4 N to 53.6 N. By simultaneously controlling dynamic, physiological loading of the T-F and P-F joint, this novel experimental simulation and validated model will be a valuable tool for investigation of future TKA designs and surgical techniques.
Numerical Study of Mixed Convection of Buoyant Twin Jet
Authors: Nassira Nouali , Amina Mataoui
Published: November 2023

The effect of mixed convection of twin vertical jets is investigated numerically in this paper. The results are presented specifically for flows affected by buoyancy for two parallel jets of same velocities ranging between 0.25 m/s and 5.0 m/s and temperatures between 295 K and 320 K. Both jets generate a slow flow with a temperature difference (with the ambient flow) less or equal to 32 °C (305 K). Predictions of dynamical and thermal parameters are obtained for the merging and combining regions. This study reveals that the trajectory of the two jets is strongly influenced by the ratio of buoyancy to inertial forces. Results indicate that, relative to isotherm jets, the location along the vertical symmetry plane at which the two jets merge (merging point) decreases with increasing jet inlet temperature. It was also found that the location of the merging point is shifted toward the confining wall as the velocity of the jets increases. The behavior law (linear regression), relating to the expansion of the jet, is not verified in the developed region for each value of the inlet velocity and temperature. This is explained by the fact that natural convection is more predominant than forced convection. The results show that the self-similarity of the cross profiles of the mean velocity and the behavior law relating to the expansion of the jet are obtained throughout the developed region.
Experimental Validation of Reconstructed Microstructure via Deep Learning in Discontinuous Fiber Platelet Composite
Authors: Saquib Mohammad Nazmus , Larson Richard , Sattar Siavash , Li Jiang , Kravchenko Sergii G. , Kravchenko Oleksandr G.
Published: November 2023

A novel approach for microstructure reconstruction using artificial intelligence (MR-AI) was proposed to nondestructively measure the through-thickness average stochastic fiber orientation distribution (FOD) in a prepreg platelet molded composite (PPMC) plate. MR-AI approach uses thermal strain components on the surfaces of a PPMC plate as input to the deep learning model, which allows to predict a distribution of local through-thickness average fiber orientation state in the entire PPMC volume. The experimental setup with a heating stage and digital image correlation (DIC) was used to measure thermal strains on the surface of the PPMC plate. Optical microscopy was then used to measure FOD in the cross section of the PPMC plate. FOD measurements from optical microscopy imagery compared favorably with FOD prediction by MR-AI. The proposed methodology opens the opportunity for rapid, nondestructive inspection of manufacturing-induced FOD in molded composites.
Volitional activation of remote place representations with a hippocampal brain–machine interface
Authors: Lai Chongxi , Tanaka Shinsuke , Harris Timothy D. , Lee Albert K.
Published: November 2023

The hippocampus is critical for recollecting and imagining experiences. This is believed to involve voluntarily drawing from hippocampal memory representations of people, events, and places, including maplike representations of familiar environments. However, whether representations in such “cognitive maps” can be volitionally accessed is unknown. We developed a brain–machine interface to test whether rats can do so by controlling their hippocampal activity in a flexible, goal-directed, and model-based manner. We found that rats can efficiently navigate or direct objects to arbitrary goal locations within a virtual reality arena solely by activating and sustaining appropriate hippocampal representations of remote places. This provides insight into the mechanisms underlying episodic memory recall, mental simulation and planning, and imagination and opens up possibilities for high-level neural prosthetics that use hippocampal representations.
Human values in a digital age
We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age
Wendy H. Wong
MIT Press, 2023. 280 pp.
Authors: Farahany Nita
Published: November 2023

Big Tech must center human rights in data decisions, argues a political scientist
Water scarcity is exacerbated in the south
Authors: Blöschl Günter , Chaffe Pedro L. B.
Published: November 2023

The Southern Hemisphere has experienced a 20% drop in water availability in 20 years
Ferid Murad (1936–2023)
Authors: Sharina Iraida , Martin Emil
Published: November 2023

Physician-scientist who discovered NO signaling
Scientists clash over ‘positionality statements’
Authors: Zamzow Rachel
Published: November 2023

In a growing practice, researchers are adding descriptions of their identities to their papers
Active pathways of anaerobic methane oxidization in deep-sea cold seeps of the South China Sea
Authors: Jiang Qiuyun , Jing Hongmei , Li Xuegong , Wan Ye , Chou I-Ming , Hou Lijun , Dong Hongpo , Niu Yuhui , Gao Dengzhou
Published: November 2023

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is critical for controlling methane emissions from deep-sea cold seeps. Microbial groups associated with different AOM processes have been briefly investigated, but the AOM activities associated with the utilization of different electron acceptors in the deep-sea methane seeps remain largely unknown. Here, surface sediments (0–4 cm) from two cold seeps (Site F/Haima) and the Xisha trough in the South China Sea (SCS) were incubated to measure AOM potentials driven by nitrite, nitrate, and sulfate as different electron acceptors with isotopically labeled methane gas (
13
CH
4
), and the population shifts of microbial communities along the incubation were investigated by high-throughput sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction based on both the 16S rRNA gene and functional genes. Nitrite and nitrate were preferentially used prior to sulfate during the incubation, and nitrate-/nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (Nr-/N-DAMO) contributed more to the methane flux in both the cold seeps and the trough. The highest rates of DAMO and sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (SAMO) were detected at Site F, consistent with the transcript abundance of
mcr
A and
dsr
B genes during the incubation, and might be explained by the
in situ
active functional groups. The former process might be explained by
Campylobacteria
, which could couple sulfide oxidation and nitrate consumption to further participate in the N-DAMO process, while the latter process might be due to the higher proportions of
Desulfobacterota
. This study elucidates the diversity and potential activities of major microbial groups in the DAMO and SAMO processes in the deep-sea cold seeps using isotopic tracing incubations and provides direct evidence for the occurrence of Nr-/N-DAMO as a previously overlooked microbial methane sink in the deep-sea hydrate-bearing sediments in the SCS.

IMPORTANCE

Cold seeps occur in continental margins worldwide and are deep-sea oases. Anaerobic oxidation of methane is an important microbial process in the cold seeps and plays an important role in regulating methane content. This study elucidates the diversity and potential activities of major microbial groups in dependent anaerobic methane oxidation and sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation processes and provides direct evidence for the occurrence of nitrate-/nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (Nr-/N-DAMO) as a previously overlooked microbial methane sink in the hydrate-bearing sediments of the South China Sea. This study provides direct evidence for occurrence of Nr-/N-DAMO as an important methane sink in the deep-sea cold seeps.
Associations of anaemia with bleeding and thrombotic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with warfarin: a registry-based nested case–control study
Authors: Helin Tuukka Antero , Raatikainen Pekka , Lehto Mika , Haukka Jari , Lassila Riitta
Published: November 2023

Objectives

We studied association of laboratory testing beyond the international normalised ratio (INR) with bleeding and stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with warfarin.

Design

This was a retrospective nested case–control study from the Finnish Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation (FinWAF) registry (n=54 568), reporting the management and outcome in warfarin-anticoagulated patients. Associations of blood count test frequency and results were assessed together with risk of bleeding or stroke/TIA during 5-year follow-up.

Setting

National FinWAF registry, with data from all six hospital districts. Follow-up period for complications was 1 January 2007–31 December 2011.

Participants

A total of 54 568 warfarin-anticoagulated patients.

Results

The number of patients with bleeding was 4681 (9%) and stroke/TIA episodes, 4692 (9%). In patients with bleeds, lower haemoglobin (within 3 months) preceded the event compared with the controls (median 126 vs 135 g/L; IQR 111–141 g/L vs 123–147 g/L, p<0.001), while patients with stroke/TIA had only modestly lower INR (median 2.2 vs 2.3; 1.8–2.6 vs 2.1–2.7, p<0.001). When the last measured haemoglobin was below the reference value (130 g/L for men, 120 g/L for women), the OR for a bleeding complication was 2.9 and stroke/TIA, 1.5. If the haemoglobin level was below 100 g/L, the complication risk increased further by 10-fold. If haemoglobin values were repeatedly (more than five times) low during the preceding 3 months, future OR was for bleeds 2.3 and for stroke/TIA 2.4.

Conclusions

The deeper the anaemia, the higher the risk of bleeding and stroke/TIA. However, INR remained mainly at its target and only occasionally deviated, failing to detect the complication risk. Repeated low haemoglobin results, compatible with persistent anaemia, refer to suboptimal management and increased the complication risk in anticoagulated patients.
Study protocol to investigate the efficacy of confocal laser endomicroscopy-based selective single-elimination diet over standard fivefold elimination diet in patients with endomicroscopically proven food intolerance: app-assisted, monocentric, double-blind, randomised and controlled trial in Germany
Authors: Heßler Nicole , Kordowski Anna , Sasse Jill , Ahlemann Greta , Schulz Franziska , Schröder Torsten , Exner Anna , Jablonski Lennart , Jappe Uta , Bischoff Stephan C , Grzegorzek Marcin , König Inke R , Sina Christian
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Imprecise nutritional recommendations due to a lack of diagnostic test accuracy are a frequent problem for individuals with adverse reactions to foods but no precise diagnosis. Consequently, patients follow very broad and strict elimination diets to avoid uncontrolled symptoms such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Dietary limitations and the uncertainty of developing gastrointestinal symptoms after the inadvertent ingestion of food have been demonstrated to reduce the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals and subsequently might increase the risk of malnutrition and intestinal dysbiosis. This trial aims to investigate the effects of a tailored diet based on the confocal laser endoscopy (CLE) examination result to limit the side effects of unspecific and broad elimination diets and to increase the patient’s QoL.

Methods and analysis

The study is designed as a prospective, double-blind, monocentric, randomised and controlled trial conducted at the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Germany. One hundred seventy-two patients with non-IgE-related food allergies and positive CLE results will be randomised to either a tailored diet or a standard fivefold elimination diet. The primary endpoints are the difference between the end and the start of the intervention in health-related QoL and the sum score of the severity of symptoms after 12 weeks. Key secondary endpoints are changes in the severity of symptoms, further QoL measurements, self-assessed state of health and number of days with a pathologically altered stool. Microbiome diversity and metabolome of stool, urine and blood will also be investigated. Safety endpoints are body composition, body mass index and adverse events.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was accepted by the ethical committee of the University of Lübeck (AZ: 22-111) on 4 May2022. Results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00029323).
What is the association between adverse childhood experiences and late-life cognitive decline? Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR) cohort study
Authors: Lor Yi , George Kristen M , Gilsanz Paola , Meunier Claire C , Peterson Rachel L , Hayes-Larson Eleanor , Barnes Lisa L , Mungas Dan , Whitmer Rachel A
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with higher risk of chronic disease, but little is known about the association with late life cognitive decline. We examined the longitudinal association between ACEs and late-life cognitive decline in the Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR).

Design

Linear mixed models with random intercepts and slope examined the association of individual and composite ACEs with cognitive change adjusting for years from baseline (timescale), baseline age, sex, parental education, childhood socioeconomic status and childhood social support. Participants reported whether they had experienced nine types of ACEs. Executive function and verbal episodic memory were measured up to three times over a 3-year period using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales.

Settings

Kaiser Permanente Northern California members living in the Bay Area.

Participants

STAR is a cohort study of cognitive ageing launched in 2018 that has enrolled 764 black Americans ages ≥50 years (mean age=67.5; SD=8.5).

Results

Twenty-one per cent of participants reported no ACEs, 24% one ACE, 20% two ACEs, 17% three ACEs and 17% four or more ACEs. Compared with no ACEs, two ACEs (β=0.117; 95% CI 0.052 to 0.182), three ACEs (β=0.075; 95% CI 0.007 to 0.143) and four or more ACEs (β=0.089; 95% CI 0.002 to 0.158) were associated with less decline in executive function. There were no significant associations between number of ACEs and baseline or longitudinal verbal episodic memory or between individual ACEs and executive function or verbal episodic memory.

Conclusion

In this cohort of older black Americans, there was no association between ACEs and baseline cognition or cognitive change in verbal episodic memory; however, experiencing ≥ 2 ACEs was associated with less decline in executive function. These results may indicate that participants who survived to age 50+ and experienced ACEs may have cognitive resilience that warrants further investigation.
Tiza–Titre increase and enhanced immunity through an adjuvanted, recombinant herpes zoster subunit vaccine in patients with liver cirrhosis and post-liver transplantation: a study protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Vollmer-Raschdorf Stephanie , Rashidi-Alavijeh Jassin , Voigt Sebastian , Hengel Hartmut , Borchardt Benjamin , Huzly Daniela , Hüßler Eva-Maria , in der Schmitten Jürgen , Halenius Anne , Willuweit Katharina , Botzenhardt Suzan , Trilling Mirko , Boettler Tobias , Dehnen Dorothea
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Shingrix, an effective adjuvanted, recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (RZV), has been available since 2018. Immunocompromised patients are known to be predisposed to vaccine failure. In-vitro testing of immunological surrogates of vaccine protection could be instrumental for monitoring vaccination success. So far, no test procedure is available for vaccine responses to RZV that could be used on a routine basis.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre, three-arm, parallel, longitudinal cohort study aspiring to recruit a total of 308 patients (103 with a liver cirrhosis Child A/B, 103 after liver transplantation (both ≥50 years), 102 immunocompetent patients (60–70 years)). Blood samples will be taken at seven data collection points to determine varicella zoster virus (VZV) and glycoprotein E (gE)-specific IgG and T cell responses. The primary study outcome is to measure and compare responses after vaccination with RZV depending on the type and degree of immunosuppression using gE-specific antibody detection assays. As a secondary outcome, first, the gE-specific CD4+T cell response of the three cohorts will be compared and, second, the gE-VZV antibody levels will be compared with the severity of possible vaccination reactions. The tertiary outcome is a potential association between VZV immune responses and clinical protection against shingles.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was issued on 07/11/2022 by the Ethics Committee Essen, Germany (number 22-10805-BO). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed open-access journals and presented at local, national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

German Clinical Trials Registry (number DRKS00030683).
Protocol for a longitudinal cohort study of Lyme disease with physical, mental and immunological assessment
Authors: Loeb Mark , Brison Robert , Bramson Jonathan , Hatchette Todd , Sander Beate , Stringer Elizabeth
Published: November 2023

Introduction

There are limited data on the longitudinal impact of Lyme disease. Predictors of recovery have not been fully established using validated data collection instruments. There are sparse data on the immunological response to infection over time.

Methods and analysis

This study is a longitudinal cohort study that will recruit 120 participants with Lyme disease in Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada, with follow-up for up to 24 months. Data will be collected using the Short-Form 36 physical and mental component summaries, Depression and Anxiety Severity Scale Questionnaire, Fatigue Severity Scale and a battery of neuropsychological tests. Mononuclear cells, gene expression and cytokine profiling from blood samples will be used to assess immunological response. Analyses will include the use of non-linear mixed-effects modelling and proportional hazards models.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained from ethics boards at McMaster University (Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board) (7564), Queens University (EMD 315-20) and Nova Scotia Health Research Ethics Board (1027173), and the study is enrolling participants. Written informed consent is obtained from all participants. The results will be disseminated by publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a relevant conference. A brief report will be provided to decision-makers and patient groups.
Prepare to fail or failing to prepare? Acute performance after the 11+ with and without strength exercises
Authors: Støvland Varg Ringdal , Amundsen Roar , Paulsen Gøran , Dalen-Lorentsen Torstein
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The 11+ is an effective injury prevention warm-up programme but is often poorly adopted in practice. One reason for low compliance is the claim that the strength training part of the programme acutely impairs muscle performance before the football activity. This study aims to compare the acute effects of the 11+ with (WU+S) or without (WU-S) the strength training part on performance.

Methods

Fifteen female junior football players completed WU+S and WU-S on two separate days in randomised order. Maximal voluntary torque in knee extension and flexion (60°/s and 180°/s) and countermovement jump (CMJ) were tested before and after performing the warm-up protocol. Sprint performance and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed post-warm-up.

Results

Warm-up with strength training reduced peak torque in knee flexion at 180°/s more than WU-S, while no differences were found at 60°/s. Knee extension work was reduced more with WU+S than WU-S at 180°/s, but no differences at 60°/s. Peak torque angle and CMJ were unaffected. Players were slower on 20 and 30 m sprints after WU+S than WU-S. The RPE was higher after WU+S than WU-S, but there were no differences in readiness to train between the two protocols.

Conclusion

Performing the 11+ programme as a warm-up routine with the strength training part can impair subsequent knee flexion torque at high velocity and sprint performance in female junior football players compared with performing the 11+ warm-up without the strength part.
Getting off tract: contributions of intraorgan microbiota to cancer in extraintestinal organs
Authors: Thomas Scott C , Miller George , Li Xin , Saxena Deepak
Published: November 2023

The gastrointestinal ecosystem has received the most attention when examining the contributions of the human microbiome to health and disease. This concentration of effort is logical due to the overwhelming abundance of microbes in the gut coupled with the relative ease of sampling compared with other organs. However, the intestines are intimately connected to multiple extraintestinal organs, providing an opportunity for homeostatic microbial colonisation and pathogenesis in organs traditionally thought to be sterile or only transiently harbouring microbiota. These habitats are challenging to sample, and their low microbial biomass among large amounts of host tissue can make study challenging. Nevertheless, recent findings have shown that many extraintestinal organs that are intimately linked to the gut harbour stable microbiomes, which are colonised from the gut in selective manners and have highlighted not just the influence of the bacteriome but that of the mycobiome and virome on oncogenesis and health.
Semantic Map Guided Identity Transfer GAN for Person Re-identification
Authors: Wu Tian , Zhu Rongbo , Wan Shaohua
Published: November 2023

Generative adversarial networks (GANs)-based person re-identification (re-id) schemes provide potential ways to augment data in practical applications. However, existing solutions perform poorly because of the separation of data generation and re-id training and a lack of diverse data in real-world scenarios. In this paper, a person re-id model (IDGAN) based on semantic map guided identity transfer GAN is proposed to improve the person re-id performance. With the aid of the semantic map, IDGAN generates pedestrian images with varying poses, perspectives, and backgrounds efficiently and accurately, improving the diversity of training data. To increase the visual realism, IDGAN utilizes a gradient augmentation method based on local quality attention to refine the generated image locally. Then, a two-stage joint training framework is employed to allow the GAN and the person re-id network to learn from each other to better use the generated data. Detailed experimental results demonstrate that, compared with the existing state-of-the-art methods, IDGAN is capable of producing high-quality images and significantly enhancing re-id performance, with the FID of generated images on the Market-1501 dataset being reduced by 1.15, and mAP on the Market-1501 and DukeMTMC-reID datasets being increased by 3.3% and 2.6%, respectively.
Cross-lingual Sentiment Analysis of Tamil Language Using a Multi-stage Deep Learning Architecture
Authors: V Jothi Prakash , S Arul Antran Vijay
Published: November 2023

In recent years, sentiment analysis has become a focal point in natural language processing. Cross-lingual sentiment analysis is a particularly demanding yet essential task that seeks to construct models capable of effectively analyzing sentiments across a variety of languages. The primary motivation behind this research is to bridge the gap in current techniques that often struggle to perform well with low-resource languages, due to the scarcity of large, annotated datasets, and their unique linguistic characteristics. In light of these challenges, we propose a novel Multi-Stage Deep Learning Architecture (MSDLA) for cross-lingual sentiment analysis of the Tamil language, a low-resource language. Our approach utilizes transfer learning from a source language with abundant resources to overcome data limitations. Our proposed model significantly outperforms existing methods on the Tamil Movie Review dataset, achieving an accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of 0.8772, 0.8614, 0.8825, and 0.8718, respectively. ANOVA statistical comparison demonstrates that the MSDLA’s improvements over other models, including mT5, XLM, mBERT, ULMFiT, BiLSTM, LSTM with Attention, and ALBERT with Hugging Face English Embedding are significant, with p-values all less than 0.005. Ablation studies confirm the importance of both cross-lingual semantic attention and domain adaptation in our architecture. Without these components, the model’s performance drops to 0.8342 and 0.8043 in accuracy, respectively. Furthermore, MSDLA demonstrates robust cross-domain performance on the Tamil News Classification and Thirukkural datasets, achieving an accuracy of 0.8551 and 0.8624, respectively, significantly outperforming the baseline models. These findings illustrate the robustness and efficacy of our approach, making a significant contribution to cross-lingual sentiment analysis techniques, especially for low-resource languages.
Apache Wayang: A Unified Data Analytics Framework
Authors: Beedkar Kaustubh , Contreras-Rojas Bertty , Gavriilidis Haralampos , Kaoudi Zoi , Markl Volker , Pardo-Meza Rodrigo , Quiané-Ruiz Jorge-Arnulfo
Published: November 2023

The large variety of specialized data processing platforms and the increased complexity of data analytics has led to the need for unifying data analytics within a single framework. Such a framework should free users from the burden of (i) choosing the right platform( s) and (ii) gluing code between the different parts of their pipelines. Apache Wayang (Incubating) is the only open-source framework that provides a systematic solution to unified data analytics by integrating multiple heterogeneous data processing platforms. It achieves that by decoupling applications from the underlying platforms and providing an optimizer so that users do not have to specify the platforms on which their pipeline should run. Wayang provides a unified view and processing model, effectively integrating the hodgepodge of heterogeneous platforms into a single framework with increased usability without sacrificing performance and total cost of ownership. In this paper, we present the architecture ofWayang, describe its main components, and give an outlook on future directions.
Proactive Resource Allocation Policy for Microsoft Azure Cognitive Search
Authors: Poppe Olga , Castro Pablo , Lang Willis , Leeka Jyoti
Published: November 2023

Modern cloud services aim to find the middle ground between quality of service and operational cost efficiency by allocating resources if and only if these resources are needed by the customers. Unfortunately, most industrial demand-driven resource allocation approaches are reactive. Given that scaling mechanisms are not instantaneous, the reactive policy may introduce delays to latency-sensitive customer workloads and waste operational costs for cloud service providers. To solve this catch-22, we define the proactive resource allocation policy for Microsoft Azure Cognitive Search. In addition to the current resource demand, the proactive policy takes the typical resource usage patterns into account. We gained the following valuable insights from these patterns over several months of production workloads. One, 87% of the workload is stable due to continuous resource demand. Two, 90% of varying demand is predictable based on a few weeks of historical traces. Three, resources can be reclaimed 52% of the time due to extensive idle intervals of varying workload. Given the size and scope of our analysis, we believe that our approach applies to any latency-sensitive cloud service.
Review—Prospects in Cancer Diagnosis: Exosome-Chip for Liquid Biopsy
Authors: Khondakar Kamil Reza , Ataei Kachouei Matin , Erukainure Frank Efe , Ali Md. Azahar
Published: November 2023

A liquid biopsy combined with an exosome-chip (EC) is an important detection tool for early cancer diagnosis. Exosomes have a crucial function in the exchange of information between cells and are present in biological fluids. ECs are miniaturized microfluidic devices designed to isolate, capture, and analyze exosomes for analysis of patient samples. Such devices offer on-chip detection, high-throughput analysis, and multiplex measurements. Further, these chips can integrate with electrochemical and optical detectors, and mass spectrometry enabling comprehensive studies of diseases. This review will cover the outlook on chip-based diagnostics for liquid biopsy, detection, and isolation of exosomes to support cancer diagnostics.
Within- and between-day reliability and repeatability of neuromuscular function assessment in females and males
Authors: Dutra Yago Medeiros , Lopes João Pedro Fialho , Murias Juan M. , Zagatto Alessandro Moura
Published: November 2023

Although reliability and repeatability of knee extensors vary according to the type of neuromuscular function outcome (e.g., from force or EMG responses), the trial intervals (i.e., hours or days), and the sex of the participant, most force and EMG outcomes obtained through these neuromuscular assessment protocols present ICC > 0.75, very good CV (<10%), and repeatability <25% in within- and between-day trials in both sexes.
The effect of low-frequency fatigue on the torque-velocity relationship in human quadriceps.
Authors: Herskind Jon , Gravholt Anders , Hvid Lars G. , Overgaard Kristian
Published: November 2023

Low-frequency fatigue (LFF) is usually defined as the decline in low:high-frequency force of electrically evoked isometric muscle contractions. The influence of LFF on dynamic muscle function is not well known. Our aim was to establish a method for assessing LFF using both isometric and concentric muscle contractions using electrical stimulation at different frequencies in humans. Sixteen participants underwent a series of electrically evoked knee extensions in an isokinetic dynamometer to establish torque-velocity relationships at 15 and 50 Hz. Hereafter, fatigue was induced by 10 x 5 maximal voluntary dynamic knee extensions. After 30 minutes of rest, torque-velocity tests were repeated. Maximal contraction velocity (Vmax) and maximal contraction power (Pmax) were estimated using Hill's force-velocity equation. 15:50 Hz ratios were calculated for Fmax, Vmax, and Pmax as markers of LFF. Fmax decreased by 40 % at 15 Hz (p=0.001) and by 15 % at 50 Hz (p=0.001) in the fatigued state. 15 and 50 Hz Vmax was unchanged at -2 % (p=0.349) and +3 % (p=0.763), and 15 and 50 Hz Pmax decreased by 30 % (p=0.004) and 10 % (p=0.008). The 15:50 Hz Fmax ratio decreased by 31 % (p<0.001), indicating LFF. The Pmax ratio also decreased by 23 % (p=0.002), while the Vmax ratio was unaffected (p=0.313). Electrically evoked torque-velocity relationships at 15 and 50 Hz yield strong correlations with the Hill equation. Fatigue decreases Fmax and Pmax at both stimulation frequencies, while Vmax is unaffected. LFF influences both isometric torque and power production.
Bullous Hemorrhagic Dermatosis Induced by Enoxaparin: About a Case in Madagascar
Authors: Rakotonandrasana Fenohasina , Sendrasoa Fandresena Arilala , Rakotomanana Andrianandrianina Mbolatiana Kiady Armando , Andriatahina Herin’Ny Fitiavana Princia , Ralimalala Voahanginirina Nathalie , Ramily Samson Léophonte , Sata Moril , Raharolahy Onivola , Andrianarison Malalaniaina , Ranaivo Irina Mamisoa , Ramarozatovo Lala Soavina , Rapelanoro Rabenja Fahafahantsoa
Published: November 2023

Bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis is an adverse reaction occurring within 5 to 21 days after anticoagulation; the diagnosis is to be evoked in the presence of hemorrhagic bullous lesions at a distance from the injection site in the days following the introduction of anticoagulant; this is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a rare pathology that mainly affects the elderly. A 54-year-old man presented with bullous hemorrhagic lesions on the left upper limb starting at the 4th day after enoxaparin injection, diagnosed as a bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis induced by enoxaparin. We report the first case of bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis induced by enoxaparin in Madagascar.
Data from A Compendium of Syngeneic, Transplantable Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Models Reveals Subtype-Specific Therapeutic Vulnerabilities
Authors: McNicholas Michael , De Cola Antonella , Bashardanesh Zahedeh , Foss Amelia , Lloyd Cameron B. , Hébert Steven , Faury Damien , Andrade Augusto Faria , Jabado Nada , Kleinman Claudia L. , Pathania Manav
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) are lethal, incurable brain tumors frequently driven by clonal mutations in histone genes. They often harbor a range of additional genetic alterations that correlate with different ages, anatomic locations, and tumor subtypes. We developed models representing 16 pHGG subtypes driven by different combinations of alterations targeted to specific brain regions. Tumors developed with varying latencies and cell lines derived from these models engrafted in syngeneic, immunocompetent mice with high penetrance. Targeted drug screening revealed unexpected selective vulnerabilities—H3.3G34R/PDGFRAC235Y to FGFR inhibition, H3.3K27M/PDGFRAWT to PDGFRA inhibition, and H3.3K27M/PDGFRAWT and H3.3K27M/PPM1DΔC/PIK3CAE545K to combined inhibition of MEK and PIK3CA. Moreover, H3.3K27M tumors with PIK3CA, NF1, and FGFR1 mutations were more invasive and harbored distinct additional phenotypes, such as exophytic spread, cranial nerve invasion, and spinal dissemination. Collectively, these models reveal that different partner alterations produce distinct effects on pHGG cellular composition, latency, invasiveness, and treatment sensitivity.
Significance:
Histone-mutant pediatric gliomas are a highly heterogeneous tumor entity. Different histone mutations correlate with different ages of onset, survival outcomes, brain regions, and partner alterations. We have developed models of histone-mutant gliomas that reflect this anatomic and genetic heterogeneity and provide evidence of subtype-specific biology and therapeutic targeting.

See related commentary by Lubanszky and Hawkins, p. 1516.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1501
FIGURE 2 from Antitumor Effects of PRMT5 Inhibition in Sarcomas
Authors: Verbeke Stéphanie , Bourdon Aurélien , Guegan Jean-Philippe , Leroy Laura , Chaire Vanessa , Richard Elodie , Bessede Alban , Italiano Antoine
Published: November 2023

Antitumor effects of PRMT5 inhibition on STSs. A, Assessment of cell viability with PRMT5 inhibitor GSK3226595 (GSK595) in seven STS cell lines (with TP53 deleted or not) as determined by MTT assay (n = 3 or more). Cells were treated with a range of increasing concentrations of drug for 10 days and the IC50 was calculated with GraphPad Prism software. B, Western blot analysis showing of SDMA, p53, and p21 protein expression in four STS cell lines after 10 days of GSK595 treatment at the respective IC50. C, Quantitation of p53 and p21 bands in B using ImageJ software. GAPDH served as the loading control (n = 3). D, Proliferation assay after PRMT5 inhibition: Cells were untreated or treated with GSK595 at the IC50 and counted after 3, 6, and 10 days by flow cytometry. Fresh medium with drug treatment at the appropriate concentration was used to replace the medium every 3 days (n = 3; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001 two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparisons test). E, Clonogenic assay: Representative images of stained cells (crystal violet) after 10 days of GSK595 treatment at the IC80 (n = 2). F, Efficacy of the PRMT5 inhibitor in vivo in IB115 xenograft. IB115 cells were used to establish xenograft tumors in NSG mice (n = 9 mice per group), and the tumors were treated with vehicle or GSK595 at 100 mg/kg orally twice daily (5 days-on/2 days-off; ***, P < 0.001 two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparisons tests, arrow = start of treatment). Tumor growth, body weight, and final tumor weight were measured. G, Efficacy of the PRMT5 inhibitor in vivo in IB111 xenograft mice. IB111 cells were used to establish xenograft tumors in NSG mice, which were treated with the same concentrations as the IB115 cells. Tumor growth and body weight were measured, and the tumors were monitored until the end of the treatment period or until they reached 2,000 mm3 (day of sacrifice); the data were used to draw the survival curve.
Pathogenic Germline Variants in BRCA1/2 and p53 Identified by Real-world Comprehensive Cancer Genome Profiling Tests in Asian Patients
Authors: Satake Tomoyuki , Kondo Shunsuke , Tanabe Noriko , Mizuno Takaaki , Katsuya Yuki , Sato Jun , Koyama Takafumi , Yoshida Tatsuya , Hirata Makoto , Yamamoto Noboru
Published: November 2023

Cancer genome profiling (CGP) occasionally identifies pathogenic germline variants (PGV) in cancer susceptibility genes (CSG) as secondary findings. Here, we analyzed the prevalence and clinical characteristics of PGVs based on nationwide real-world data from CGP tests in Japan. We analyzed the genomic information and clinical characteristics of 23,928 patients with solid cancers who underwent either tumor-only (n = 20,189) or paired tumor-normal (n = 3,739) sequencing CGP tests between June 2019 and December 2021 using the comprehensive national database. We assigned clinical significance for all variants and highlighted the prevalence and characteristics of PGVs. Our primary analysis of the tumor-normal sequencing cohort revealed that 152 patients (4.1%) harbored PGVs in 15 CSGs. Among 783 germline variants, 113 were annotated as PGVs, 70 as benign variants, and 600 as variants of uncertain significance. The number of PGVs identified was highest in BRCA1/2, with 56, followed by TP53, with 18. PGVs were the most prevalent in ovarian and peritoneal cancers, including among cancer types common in Asia. In the tumor-only sequencing cohort, of the 5,184 pathogenic somatic variants across 26 CSGs, 784 (15.1%) were extracted according to the European Society for Medical Oncology recommendations for germline-focused tumor analysis. The prevalence of PGVs was similar to that previously reported in Europe and the United States. This is the largest analysis based on real-world tumor-normal sequencing tests in Asia. The more widespread use of the tumor-normal sequencing CGP test could be reasonable for evaluating PGVs.

Significance:

We analyzed real-world data from over 23,000 patients in Japan, revealing 4.1% harbored PGVs, particularly in BRCA1/2 and TP53, in CSGs. It highlights the prevalence of PGVs in Asian populations and supports the broader adoption of tumor-normal sequencing CGP tests for PGV evaluation.
Blood Pressure Variability Is Associated with Infarct Growth in Acute Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Woods Andrew G. , Lillicrap Tom , Hood Rebecca , Fletcher Joseph W. , Ranhage Viktor , Larsson Emil , Cahlin Fredrik , Jood Katarina , Tatlisumak Turgut , Garcia-Esperon Carlos , Spratt Neil J.
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Evidence-based blood pressure (BP) targets in acute ischaemic stroke are lacking. Previous observational studies have focused on single baseline BP and clinical outcomes, without consideration for dynamic changes. We aim to determine the association between BP parameters including variability, peak, nadir, median and mean during stroke and infarct growth (primary outcome), risk of haemorrhagic transformation, and functional outcome (secondary outcomes). Methods: Suspected stroke patients were prospectively recruited from a single comprehensive stroke centre. Multimodal computed tomography imaging was used to define infarct core. BP was recorded as per national stroke guidelines during the initial 24 h. Infarct growth and evidence of parenchymal haemorrhage were determined by follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 24 h. Functional outcome at 3 months was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale. Subgroup analysis was performed according to stroke aetiology and treatment for the association between BP, infarct volume growth, and risk of haemorrhagic transformation. The association between BP parameters and outcomes were determined using regression modelling. Results: A total of 229 patients were included in this study. The median age was 67.4, 64.4% were male, and the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 8. BP variability (BPV) was independently associated with increased infarct growth (multivariate coefficient 1.60, 95% CI: 0.27–2.94, p = 0.19) and an increased odds of parenchymal haemorrhage (adjusted OR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.02–1.44, p = 0.028). The odds of a favourable outcome at 90 days were inversely associated with BPV on simple, but not adjusted logistic regression. On subgroup analysis, only in patients with large vessel occlusions, undergoing endovascular clot retrieval, was BPV associated with infarct growth (multivariate-adjusted coefficient 2.62, 95% CI: 0.53–4.70, p = 0.014) and an increased odds of haemorrhagic transformation (adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01–1.57, p = 0.045). Conclusion: An increase in BPV was associated with infarct expansion, increased risk of haemorrhagic transformation and was negatively associated with favourable functional outcomes at 3 months.
Estudo sobre as tendências de pesquisa de livros didáticos de língua japonesa usados no âmbito universitário do brasil
Authors: Akamine Ayako , Morales Leiko Matsubara
Published: November 2023

De acordo com os dados de 2017 da Fundação Japão em São Paulo é possível verificar que, das 8 universidades públicas brasileiras que possuem cursos de graduação em Letras com habilitação em Japonês, 7 utilizam livros didáticos (LDs) lançados no mercado editorial japonês voltados para o público adulto estrangeiro. Considerando o papel importante desses LDs tanto como veículos de insumos linguístico e cultural, como também constituindo instrumentos de trabalho para o profissional docente, este presente artigo analisa os tipos de produções científicas nacionais em LDs, no período de 2000 a 2020, explorando novas possibilidades no âmbito da análise crítica.