bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A DNA Origami-Based Biointerface to Interrogate the Spatial Requirements for Sensitized T-Cell Antigen Recognition
Authors: Hellmeier Joschka , Platzer René , Huppa Johannes B. , Sevcsik Eva
Published: April 2023

When T cells scan the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), they can detect the presence of just a few antigenic peptide/MHC complexes (pMHCs), in some cases even a single agonist pMHC. These are typically vastly outnumbered by structurally similar yet non-stimulatory endogenous pMHCs. How T cells achieve this enormous sensitivity and selectivity is still not clear, in particular in view of the rather moderate (1–100 μM) affinity that T-cell receptors (TCRs) typically exert for antigenic pMHCs. Experimental approaches that enable the control and quantification of physical input parameters within the context of the immunological synapse to precisely interrogate the molecular consequences of TCR-engagement, appear highly advantageous when searching for better answers.

We here describe the implementation of a biointerface that allows to experimentally define molecular distances between T-cell ligands as a means to correlate them with molecular dynamics of antigen engagement, downstream signaling, and the overall T-cell response. The basis of this biointerface is DNA origami nanostructures, which are (i) rigid and highly versatile platforms that can (ii) be embedded as laterally mobile entities within supported lipid bilayers and functionalized (iii) in a site-specific and orthogonal manner with (iv) one or more proteins of choice.
Exploiting the RUSH System to Study Lytic Granule Biogenesis in Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Authors: Capitani Nagaja , Cassioli Chiara , Ravichandran Keerthana , Baldari Cosima T.
Published: April 2023

The Retention Using Selective Hooks (RUSH) system allows for the synchronized release of one or more proteins of interest from a donor endomembrane compartment, usually the endoplasmic reticulum, and the subsequent monitoring of their traffic toward acceptor compartments. Here we describe the RUSH system applied to cytotoxic T cells to characterize the biogenesis of lytic granules, using as a proof-of-concept granzyme B trafficking to this specialized compartment.
Methods of Machine Learning-Based Chimeric Antigen Receptor Immunological Synapse Quality Quantification
Authors: Gan Julian , Cho Jong Hyun , Lee Ryan , Naghizadeh Alireza , Poon Ling Yue , Wang Ethan , Hui Zachary , Liu Dongfang
Published: April 2023

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-mediated immunotherapy shows promising results for refractory blood cancers. Currently, six CAR-T drugs have been approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Theoretically, CAR-T cells must form an effective immunological synapse (IS, an interface between effective cells and their target cells) with their susceptible tumor cells to eliminate tumor cells. Previous studies show that CAR IS quality can be used as a predictive functional biomarker for CAR-T immunotherapies. However, quantification of CAR-T IS quality is clinically challenging. Machine learning (ML)-based CAR-T IS quality quantification has been proposed previously.

Here, we show an easy-to-use, step-by-step approach to predicting the efficacy of CAR-modified cells using ML-based CARIS quality quantification. This approach will guide the users on how to use ML-based CARIS quality quantification in detail, which include: how to image CARIS on the glass-supported planar lipid bilayer, how to define the CARIS focal plane, how to segment the CARIS images, and how to quantify the IS quality using ML-based algorithms.

This approach will significantly enhance the accuracy and proficiency of CARIS prediction in research.
Investigating Diffusion Dynamics and Interactions with Scanning Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (sFCS)
Authors: Mørch Alexander M. , Schneider Falk
Published: April 2023

Activation of immune cells and formation of immunological synapses (IS) rely critically on the reorganization of the plasma membrane. These highly orchestrated processes are driven by diffusion and oligomerization dynamics, as well as by single molecule interactions. While slow macro- and meso-scale changes in organization can be observed with conventional imaging, fast nano-scale dynamics are often missed with traditional approaches, but resolving them is, nonetheless, essential to understand the underlying biological mechanisms at play. Here, we describe the use of scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (sFCS) and scanning fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (sFCCS) to study reorganization and changes in molecular diffusion dynamics and interactions during IS formation and in other biological settings. We focus on the practical aspects of the measurements including calibration and alignment of the optical setup, present a comprehensive protocol to perform the measurements, and provide data analysis pipelines and strategies. Finally, we show an exemplary application of the technology to studying Lck diffusion during T-cell signaling.
KI-Verfahren für die Hate Speech Erkennung: Die Gestaltung von Ressourcen für das maschinelle Lernen und ihre Zuverlässigkeit
Authors: Mandl Thomas
Published: April 2023

Die Erkennung von Hate Speech durch KI erfordert umfangreiche Trainingsdaten. Die Zusammenstellung dieser Trainingsmenge entscheidet über die Leistungsfähigkeit der Systeme, denn es können nur Hassbotschaften erkannt werden, die den Trainingsdaten ähnlich sind. Zunächst werden einige der bestehenden Benchmarks und die Entwicklungen bei deren Aufbau besprochen. Anschließend diskutiert der Artikel mögliche Verzerrungen und die Ansätze für deren Messung. Auch der Vergleich über mehrere Kollektionen und das Schaffen von Transparenz können die Wirksamkeit von Trainingsdaten verdeutlichen.
Soft and collinear limits in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 8 supergravity using double copy formalism
Authors: Banerjee Nabamita , Rahnuma Tabasum , Singh Ranveer Kumar
Published: April 2023

Abstract

It is known that 𝒩 = 8 supergravity is dual to 𝒩 = 4 super Yang-Mills (SYM) via the double copy relation. Using the explicit relation between scattering amplitudes in the two theories, we calculate the soft and collinear limits in 𝒩 = 8 supergravity from know results in 𝒩 = 4 SYM. In our application of double copy, a particular self-duality condition is chosen for scalars that allows us to constrain and determine the R-symmetry indices of the supergravity states in the collinear limit.
The Rank of the Sandpile Group of Random Directed Bipartite Graphs
Authors: Bhargava Atal , DePascale Jack , Koenig Jake
Published: April 2023

We identify the asymptotic distribution of p-rank of the sandpile group of random directed bipartite graphs which are not too imbalanced. We show this matches exactly with that of the Erdös–Rényi random directed graph model, suggesting that the Sylow p-subgroups of this model may also be Cohen–Lenstra distributed. Our work builds on the results of Koplewitz who studied p-rank distributions for unbalanced random bipartite graphs, and showed that for sufficiently unbalanced graphs, the distribution of p-rank differs from the Cohen–Lenstra distribution. Koplewitz (sandpile groups of random bipartite graphs, https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.07519, 2017) conjectured that for random balanced bipartite graphs, the expected value of p-rank is O(1) for any p. This work proves his conjecture and gives the exact distribution for the subclass of directed graphs.
Epidemiologie der Pflege: Prävalenz und Inanspruchnahme sowie die gesundheitliche Versorgung von Pflegebedürftigen in Deutschland
Authors: Schwinger Antje , Jürchott Kathrin , Tsiasioti Chrysanthi , Matzk Sören , Behrendt Susann
Published: April 2023

Rund 6 von 100 gesetzlich Versicherten gelten gemäß amtlicher Statistik der Sozialen Pflegeversicherung (SPV) als pflegebedürftig. Pflegebedürftigkeit folgt hierbei analog zum öffentlichen Diskurs der sozialrechtlichen Definition und damit einem nachfrageinduzierten Verständnis von Pflege.

Um dem insbesondere demografisch bedingten Anstieg der Anzahl Pflegebedürftiger mit bedarfsgerechten Angebotsstrukturen zu begegnen, sind Kenntnis und Bewertung mehrerer Faktoren notwendig: die Häufigkeit der nach dem Elften Buch Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB XI) definierten Pflegebedürftigkeit und der unterschiedlichen Schweregrade sowie die Inanspruchnahme von Leistungen der Pflegeversicherung und der gesundheitlichen Versorgung.

Der Beitrag stellt insofern Erkenntnisse und Berechnungen aus aktuell verfügbaren administrativen Sekundärdaten der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung (GKV) und SPV in Deutschland vor und benennt die Limitationen dieser Daten. Im Sinne einer epidemiologischen Näherung an das Thema Versorgung Pflegebedürftiger ist eine breitere Berichterstattung auf Basis von Primärerhebungen anzustreben.
Spacetime evolutive equilibrium in Nonlinear Continuum Mechanics
Authors: Romano Giovanni , Barretta Raffaele , Diaco Marina
Published: April 2023

In Continuum Mechanics a widely cited formula, due to Nanson (Mess Math 7:182–185, 1878), contributes the relation between the product of area and unit normal vectors relevant to corresponding surfaces in two configurations of a 3D body. A geometric treatment provides equivalent expressions of Nanson formula by direct elaborations on Euler–Jacobi volume change formula. Meaning and limits of Nanson formula are underlined. In the literature this formula has been improperly assumed to be expedient for attempts of imposing equilibrium in a reference shape of the body. A critical revision shows recourse to scaling and parallel transport of surface and bulk forces is impassable in assessing alleged referential equilibrium. A variational formulation of evolutive equilibrium in spacetime is developed and finite step elastic problems guided by control algorithms in computational procedures are illustrated. Step-by-step iterative methods of solution of nonlinear structural problems and simple counterexamples should help in convincing referential equilibria are not conceivable in Nonlinear Continuum Mechanics.
Sex-dependent divergence in the effects of GLP-1 agonist exendin-4 on alcohol reinforcement and reinstatement in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Díaz-Megido Claudia , Thomsen Morgane
Published: April 2023

Rationale

Alcohol use disorder remains a leading cause of preventable deaths, and current treatments have limited efficacy. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists can reduce alcohol drinking in preclinical studies, but mechanisms are still not fully understood, and data in female subjects are scarce.

Objectives

To assess whether the GLP-1 receptor agonist exendin-4 could decrease alcohol-seeking behavior in the absence of alcohol consumption or intoxication, to compare the potency and efficacy of exendin-4 in the reduction of alcohol seeking vs. alcohol taking, and to compare effects between male and female mice.

Methods

Male and female C57BL/6J mice were trained to self-administer 20% alcohol under an FR 1 schedule of reinforcement. After extinction, systemic exendin-4 (saline, 1.8, and 3.2 μg/kg) was tested in cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. Effects of exendin-4 on alcohol self-administration were tested in a separate group.

Results

Exendin-4 suppressed reinstatement of alcohol seeking to extinction levels, at both doses, in the male mice, but had no effect in the female mice. Both doses of exendin-4 also significantly decreased alcohol self-administration in male mice; females again showed less pronounced effects.

Conclusions

In male mice, exendin-4 appeared more effective at suppressing alcohol seeking in the absence of alcohol relative to alcohol self-administration, consistent with modulation of alcohol reward or inhibitory control, rather than satiety or aversive effects of alcohol. We saw marked sex differences with less effect of exendin-4 in female mice, and it will be important to include both sexes in further investigations into GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Advances in testing for sample manipulation in clinical and forensic toxicology—part B: hair samples
Authors: Wissenbach Dirk K. , Binz Tina M. , Steuer Andrea E.
Published: April 2023

As a continuation of part A, focusing on advances in testing for sample manipulation of urine samples in clinical and forensic toxicology, part B of the review article relates to hair, another commonly used matrix for abstinence control testing. Similar to urine manipulation, relevant strategies to manipulate a hair test are lowering drug concentrations in hair to undercut the limits of detection/cut-offs, for instance, by forced washout effects or adulteration. However, distinguishing between usual, common cosmetic hair treatment and deliberate manipulation to circumvent a positive drug test is often impossible. Nevertheless, the identification of cosmetic hair treatment is very relevant in the context of hair testing and interpretation of hair analysis results. Newly evaluated techniques or elucidation of specific biomarkers to unravel adulteration or cosmetic treatment often focused on specific structures of the hair matrix with promising strategies recently proposed for daily routine work. Identification of other approaches, e.g., forced hair-washing procedures, still remains a challenge in clinical and forensic toxicology.
Paired Root-Soil Samples and Metabarcoding Reveal Taxon-Based Colonization Strategies in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Communities in Japanese Cedar and Cypress Stands
Authors: Djotan Akotchiffor Kevin Geoffroy , Matsushita Norihisa , Fukuda Kenji
Published: April 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the roots and soil surrounding their hosts are typically independently investigated and little is known of the relationships between the communities of the two compartments. We simultaneously collected root and surrounding soil samples from Cryptomeria japonica (Cj) and Chamaecyparis obtusa (Co) at three environmentally different sites. Based on molecular and morphological analyses, we characterized their associated AMF communities. Cj was more densely colonized than Co and that root colonization intensity was significantly correlated with soil AMF diversity. The communities comprised 15 AMF genera dominated by Glomus and Paraglomus and 1443 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of which 1067 and 1170 were in roots and soil, respectively. AMF communities were significantly different among sites, and the root AMF communities were significantly different from those of soil at each site. The root and soil AMF communities responded differently to soil pH. At the genus level, Glomus and Acaulospora were abundant in roots while Paraglomus and Redeckera were abundant in soil. Our findings suggest that AMF colonizing roots are protected from environmental stresses in soil. However, the root-soil-abundant taxa have adapted to both environments and represent a model AMF symbiont. This evidence of strategic exploitation of the rhizosphere by AMF supports prior hypotheses and provides insights into community ecology.
D-optimal and nearly D-optimal exact designs for binary response on the ball
Authors: Radloff Martin , Schwabe Rainer
Published: April 2023

In this paper the results of Radloff and Schwabe (Stat Papers 60:165–177, 2019) will be extended for a special class of symmetrical intensity functions. This includes binary response models with logit and probit link. To evaluate the position and the weights of the two non-degenerated orbits on thek-dimensional ball usually a system of three equations has to be solved. The symmetry allows to reduce this system to a single equation. As a further result, the number of support points can be reduced to the minimal number. These minimally supported designs are highly efficient. The results can be generalized to arbitrary ellipsoidal design regions.
Defects in lysosomal function and lipid metabolism in human microglia harboring a TREM2 loss of function mutation
Authors: Filipello Fabia , You Shih-Feng , Mirfakhar Farzaneh S. , Mahali Sidhartha , Bollman Bryan , Acquarone Mariana , Korvatska Olena , Marsh Jacob A. , Sivaraman Anirudh , Martinez Rita , Cantoni Claudia , De Feo Luca , Ghezzi Laura , Minaya Miguel A. , Renganathan Arun , Cashikar Anil G. , Satoh Jun-Ichi , Beatty Wandy , Iyer Abhirami K. , Cella Marina , Raskind Wendy H. , Piccio Laura , Karch Celeste M.
Published: April 2023

TREM2 is an innate immune receptor expressed by microglia in the adult brain. Genetic variation in the TREM2 gene has been implicated in risk for Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, while homozygous TREM2 mutations cause a rare leukodystrophy, Nasu-Hakola disease (NHD). Despite extensive investigation, the role of TREM2 in NHD pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the mechanisms by which a homozygous stop-gain TREM2 mutation (p.Q33X) contributes to NHD. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia (iMGLs) were generated from two NHD families: three homozygous TREM2 p.Q33X mutation carriers (termed NHD), two heterozygous mutation carriers, one related non-carrier, and two unrelated non-carriers. Transcriptomic and biochemical analyses revealed that iMGLs from NHD patients exhibited lysosomal dysfunction, downregulation of cholesterol genes, and reduced lipid droplets compared to controls. Also, NHD iMGLs displayed defective activation and HLA antigen presentation. This defective activation and lipid droplet content were restored by enhancing lysosomal biogenesis through mTOR-dependent and independent pathways. Alteration in lysosomal gene expression, such as decreased expression of genes implicated in lysosomal acidification (ATP6AP2) and chaperone mediated autophagy (LAMP2), together with reduction in lipid droplets were also observed in post-mortem brain tissues from NHD patients, thus closely recapitulating in vivo the phenotype observed in iMGLs in vitro. Our study provides the first cellular and molecular evidence that the TREM2 p.Q33X mutation in microglia leads to defects in lysosomal function and that compounds targeting lysosomal biogenesis restore a number of NHD microglial defects. A better understanding of how microglial lipid metabolism and lysosomal machinery are altered in NHD and how these defects impact microglia activation may provide new insights into mechanisms underlying NHD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Association between metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and IGF-1 in breast cancer survivors of DIANA-5 study
Authors: De Santi Mauro , Annibalini Giosuè , Marano Giuseppe , Biganzoli Giacomo , Venturelli Elisabetta , Pellegrini Massimo , Lucertini Francesco , Brandi Giorgio , Biganzoli Elia , Barbieri Elena , Villarini Anna
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is positively associated with the risk of BC recurrence, and is more frequently dysregulated in older people, especially in those with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity. This study aimed to analyze the association between IGF-1 levels and indices of MetS and insulin resistance in BC survivors.

Methods

Baseline data of 563 BC survivors enrolled in the DIet and ANdrogen-5 (DIANA-5; NCT05019989) study were analyzed.

Results

Lower circulating IGF-1 levels in subjects with MetS than in those without MetS were found. After stratification of the patients according to the diagnosis of MetS, we highlighted that the insulin was the main predictor of elevated IGF-1 levels only in subjects without MetS. Moreover, we found an interaction between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glycemia, and IGF-1 levels, showing a positive correlation between HDL-C and IGF-1, especially in subjects with higher values of glycemia and without a diagnosis of MetS.

Conclusions

While IGF-1 levels appear to be much more impaired in subjects diagnosed with MetS, in non-MetS subjects, IGF-1 levels may respond better to metabolic parameters and lifestyle changes. Further studies are needed to analyze the role of physical activity and/or dietary intervention in modulating IGF-1 concentrations in BC survivors.

Implications for cancer survivors

These results could have important clinical implications for planning customized strategies aimed at modulating IGF-1 levels in BC survivors. In fact, while the IGF-1 system seems to be much more compromised in subjects with a diagnosis of MetS, in noMetS subjects, IGF-1 levels could better respond to lifestyle changes.
Sle-CNN: a novel convolutional neural network for sleep stage classification
Authors: Zhang Zhenman , Xue Yu , Slowik Adam , Yuan Ziming
Published: April 2023

Many classical methods have been used in automatic sleep stage classification but few methods explore deep learning. Meanwhile, most deep learning methods require extensive expertise and suffer from a mass of handcrafted steps which are time-consuming. In this paper, we propose an efficient convolutional neural network, Sle-CNN, for five-sleep-stage classification. We attach each kernel in the first layers with a trainable coefficient to enhance the learning ability and flexibility of the kernel. Then, we make full use of the genetic algorithm’s heuristic search and the advantage of no need for the gradient to search for the sleep stage classification architecture. We verify the convergence of Sle-CNN and compare the performance of traditional convolutional neural networks before and after using the trainable coefficient. Meanwhile, we compare the performance between the Sle-CNN generated through genetic algorithm and the traditional convolutional neural networks. The experiments demonstrate that the convergence of Sle-CNN is faster than the normal convolutional neural networks and the Sle-CNN generated by genetic algorithm outperforms the traditional handcrafted counterparts too. Our research suggests that deep learning has a great potential on electroencephalogram signal processing, especially with the intensification of neural architecture search. Meanwhile, neural architecture search can exert greater power in practical engineering applications. We conduct the Sle-CNN with the Python library, Pytorch, and the code and models will be publicly available.
Qualitätssicherung bei der Anwendung von Standardarbeitsanweisungen (SAA) und erweiterten Versorgungsmaßnahmen in der Rettungsdienst-Kooperation in Schleswig-Holstein (RKiSH) gGmbH
Authors: Gnirke André , Krautz Thomas , Oehmke Lars , Marung Hartwig
Published: April 2023

Hintergrund

In den letzten Jahren hat die Anwendung sog. „erweiterter Versorgungsmaßnahmen“ (EVM) durch Notfallsanitäter*innen auf der Basis von Standardarbeitsanweisungen (SAA) in vielen Rettungsdienstbereichen zugenommen. Publikationen zu systematischen Untersuchungen der Prozess- und Ergebnisqualität dieses Verfahrens in Deutschland liegen bisher erst in geringer Zahl vor.

Ziel der Arbeit

Gegenstand dieser Publikation ist die Auswertung der erweiterten Maßnahmen zur Sicherstellung eines hohen Maßes an Qualität und Sicherheit sowie der Vergleich mit Arbeiten anderer Arbeitsgruppen. Dadurch sollen weitere Rettungsdienstbereiche angeregt werden, ähnlich systematische Prozesse zu etablieren und die bedarfsgerechte Umsetzung der Vorgaben des Notfallsanitätergesetzes (NotSanG) zu fördern.

Material und Methoden

Systematische Erfassung und Auswertung der SAA-Anwendungen durch Notfallsanitäter in der Rettungsdienst-Kooperation in Schleswig-Holstein (RKiSH) im Zeitraum vom 01.01.2015 bis 31.12.2019 unter Berücksichtigung von Indikation, Durchführung, Dokumentation, Komplikationen und Notstandssituationen.

Ergebnisse

Erweiterte medizinische Versorgungsmaßnahmen wurden in weniger als 2 % aller Notfalleinsätze dokumentiert. Die Durchführung erfolgte in den allermeisten Fällen (98,4 %) indikationsgerecht.

Diskussion

Der Anteil erweiterter Maßnahmen entspricht den Ergebnissen früherer Auswertungen aus dem deutschen Rettungsdienst. Als kritisch ist, in unserer wie auch in anderen Untersuchungen, die hohe Anzahl defizitärer Einsatzprotokolle zu bewerten (29 %). Diese könnten zu einer Gefährdung der Patientensicherheit insbesondere im Hinblick auf die klinische Weiterversorgung führen und Haftungsrisiken erhöhen.
The association between white matter tract structural connectivity and information processing speed in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Chylińska Magdalena , Karaszewski Bartosz , Komendziński Jakub , Wyszomirski Adam , Hałas Marek , Szurowska Edyta , Sabisz Agnieszka
Published: April 2023

Background

Information processing speed (IPS) deterioration is common in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients [1] and might severely affect quality of life and occupational activity. However, understanding of its neural substrate is not fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate the associations between MRI-derived metrics of neuroanatomical structures, including the tracts, and IPS.

Methods

Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), and Color Trails Test (CTT) were used to evaluate IPS in 73 RRMS consecutive patients, all undergoing only interferon beta (IFN-β) therapy during the study. At the same time, 1.5T MRI including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data was acquired for each recruited subject. We analyzed volumetric and diffusion MRI measures (FreeSurfer 6.0) including normalized brain volume (NBV), cortical thickness (thk), white matter hypointensities (WMH), volume (vol), diffusion parameters: mean (MD), radial (RD), axial (AD) diffusivities, and fractional anisotropy (FA) of 18 major white-matter (WM) tracts. Multiple linear regression model with interaction resulted in distinguishing the neural substrate of IPS deficit in the IPS impaired subgroup of patients.

Results

The most significant tract abnormalities contributing to IPS deficit were right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (R ILF) FA, forceps major (FMAJ) FA, forceps minor (FMIN) FA, R uncinate fasciculus (UNC) AD, R corticospinal tract (CST) FA, and left superior longitudinal fasciculus FA (L SLFT). Among volumetric MRI metrics, IPS deficit was associated with L and R thalamic vol. and cortical thickness of insular regions.

Conclusion

In this study, we showed that disconnection of the selected WM tracts, in addition to cortical and deep gray matter (GM) atrophy, might underlie IPS deficit in RRMS patients but more extensive studies are needed for precise associations.
Ghana ecological risks: a space law and science education approach to the management frameworks
Authors: Nartey Emmanuel K
Published: April 2023

This article discusses what Ghana needs for the development of legal and scientific education programmes to manage framework of biodiversity and the ecosystem. The first part of the article examines literature produced on this topic, which offers many clues about the challenges and opportunities facing Ghana, as well as the lessons that can be learned from both other space nations and actors in this field. When looking at perceptions, the second part explores material taken from ethically approved interviews which were conducted with experts in this field, whilst the third section provides an analysis of data taken from a survey in which respondents were asked targeted questions about Ghana’s space and science education programmes, before summarising the key findings. The findings help to better understand the effect of biodiversity and the ecosystem. Finally, it is recommended that future work is required in the areas of: preserving, sustaining and maintaining biodiversity and the ecosystems; management frameworks for invasive species and biosecurity; management frameworks for environmental degradation and climate change; a management framework that focuses on the fair and equitable access to and sharing of the benefits of biodiversity resources with all communities in Ghana; and assessing and including biodiversity and ecosystem in the development process of space law and science education.
Effect of copper, arsenic and nickel on pyrite-based autotrophic denitrification
Authors: Carboni Maria F. , Arriaga Sonia , Lens Piet N. L.
Published: April 2023

Pyritic minerals generally occur in nature together with other trace metals as impurities, that can be released during the ore oxidation. To investigate the role of such impurities, the presence of copper (Cu(II)), arsenic (As(III)) and nickel (Ni(II)) during pyrite mediated autotrophic denitrification has been explored in this study at 30 °C with a specialized microbial community of denitrifiers as inoculum. The three metal(loid)s were supplemented at an initial concentration of 2, 5, and 7.5 ppm and only Cu(II) had an inhibitory effect on the autotrophic denitrification. The presence of As(III) and Ni(II) enhanced the nitrate removal efficiency with autotrophic denitrification rates between 3.3 [7.5 ppm As(III)] and 1.6 [7.5 ppm Ni(II)] times faster than the experiment without any metal(loid) supplementation. The Cu(II) batches, instead, decreased the denitrification kinetics with 16, 40 and 28% compared to the no-metal(loid) control for the 2, 5 and 7.5 ppm incubations, respectively. The kinetic study revealed that autotrophic denitrification with pyrite as electron donor, also with Cu(II) and Ni(II) additions, fits better a zero-order model, while the As(III) incubation followed first-order kinetic. The investigation of the extracellular polymeric substances content and composition showed more abundance of proteins, fulvic and humic acids in the metal(loid) exposed biomass.

Graphical Abstract
Positive Prospective Mental Imagery Characteristics in Young Adults and Their Associations with Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Marciniak Marta Anna , Shanahan Lilly , Binder Harald , Kalisch Raffael , Kleim Birgit
Published: April 2023

Background

Positive prospective mental imagery plays an important role in mental well-being, and depressive symptoms have been associated with difficulties in generating positive prospective mental images (PPMIs). We used a mobile app to gather PPMIs generated by young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyzed content, characteristics, and associations with depressive symptoms.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial with 95 healthy young adults allocated into two groups (intervention and control). Participants used the mobile app decreasing mental health symptoms for seven consecutive days. Fifty participants in the intervention group reported PPMIs at least three times per day using a mobile app inducing PPMI generation. We categorized entries into themes and applied moderation models to investigate associations between PPMI characteristics and depressive symptoms.

Results

We distinguished 25 PPMI themes. The most frequent were related to consuming food and drinks, watching TV/streaming platforms, and doing sports. Vividness and ease of generation of PPMIs, but not their anticipation, pleasure intensity or number of engagements with the app were associated with fewer depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

We identified PPMI themes in young adults and found significant negative associations between depressive symptoms and vividness and generation ease of PPMIs. These results may inform prevention and intervention science, including the design of personalized interventions. We discuss implications for future studies and treatment development for individuals experiencing diminished PPMI.
“Extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to Predict University Students’ Intentions to Use Metaverse-Based Learning Platforms”
Authors: Al-Adwan Ahmad Samed , Li Na , Al-Adwan Amer , Abbasi Ghazanfar Ali , Albelbisi Nour Awni , Habibi Akhmad
Published: April 2023

Metaverse, which combines a number of information technologies, is the Internet of the future. A media for immersive learning, metaverse could set future educational trends and lead to significant reform in education. Although the metaverse has the potential to improve the effectiveness of online learning experiences, metaverse-based educational implementations are still in their infancy. Additionally, what factors impact higher education students’ adoption of the educational metaverse remains unclear. Consequently, the aim of this study is to explore the main factors that affect higher education students’ behavioral intentions to adopt metaverse technology for education. This study has proposed an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to achieve this aim. The novelty of this study resides in its conceptual model, which incorporates both technological, personal, and inhibiting/enabling factors. The empirical data were collected via online questionnaires from 574 students in both private and public universities in Jordan. Based on the PLS-SEM analysis, the study identifies perceived usefulness, personal innovativeness in IT, and perceived enjoyment as key enablers of students’ behavioral intentions to adopt the metaverse. Additionally, perceived cyber risk is found as the main inhibitor of students’ metaverse adoption intentions. Surprisingly, the effect of perceived ease of use on metaverse adoption intentions is found to be insignificant. Furthermore, it is found that self-efficacy, personal innovativeness, and perceived cyber risk are the main determinants of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. While the findings of this study contribute to the extension of the TAM model, the practical value of these findings is significant since they will help educational authorities understand each factor’s role and enable them to plan their future strategies.
High spatial and temporal variation in biomass composition of the novel aquaculture target Ecklonia radiata
Authors: Nepper-Davidsen Jacob , Glasson Christopher R. K. , Lawton Rebecca J. , Magnusson Marie
Published: April 2023

The biomass composition of kelp varies within species both spatially and temporally. However, this variation in biomass quality has not yet been investigated for the native kelpEcklonia radiatawithin New Zealand, where the kelp is a target for the emerging seaweed aquaculture industry. In this study we quantified spatial and temporal variation in the composition ofE. radiatabiomass, collected from 12 sites around the North Island of New Zealand and from 12 months across a full year at a single site (n = 138). High spatial variation was detected for most components, including alginate (range: 16.6 – 22.7% DW,n = 12), fucoidan (range: 1.2 – 1.6% DW,n = 12), phlorotannins (range: 4.8 – 9.3% DW,n = 72), and glucose (range: 9.3 – 22.6% DW,n = 12). The biomass composition ofE. radiatavaried significantly among sites but with no clear patterns among regions, indicating that geographic differences were mostly local rather than regional, possibly due to site-specific environmental conditions. Significant temporal variation (measured by positive autocorrelation between months) was detected in the content of lipids, proteins, glucose, guluronic acid, nitrogen, phosphorous, iodine, arsenic, and mercury, and for the mannuronic to guluronic acid (M:G) ratio. Overall,E. radiatahad comparable biomass composition to that of commercially grown northern hemisphere species but with substantially higher phlorotannin content. These results demonstrate thatE. radiatacould be a viable southern hemisphere alternative for a broad range of commercial applications.
Microstructural, biocompatibility and mechanical investigation of MgHAp and AgHAp: Comparative report
Authors: Mahanty Anuradha , Shikha Deep
Published: April 2023

It is imperative to investigate the effect of addition of different size metallic ions in HAp and study the changes in biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Silver and magnesium ions are two vital ions needed in our body. Silver ions are known to inhibit the microbes, while magnesium ions are known to increase the mechanical properties. The present study reports the comparative properties of MgHAp and AgHAp synthesised by sol-gel wet chemical method. Changes in the morphology, phase analysis, corrosion resistance, dielectric properties, hardness and the thrombus behaviour of HAp doped Ag and Mg ions has been investigated. In this work, we have presented a comparative study of both the metal doped ionsto find which of the ions and which weight percent of the ions can be best suited to be incorporated into the HAp matrix for hard tissue implants. All wt% AgHAp showed the better corrosion resistance than all the MgHAp samples. However, MgHAp showed higher value of hardness in comparison to AgHAp samples. The mechanical strength was found to increase with the increase in Mg wt% in MgHAp but for AgHAp the hardness value decreased with increase in the concentration. The impedance and dielectric loss decreased with increasing frequency for both the samples. Both the ion doped hydroxyapatite showed moderate clotting behaviour as compared to pure HAp. But 2 wt% MgHAp and 4 wt% AgHAp showed better thrombogenic behaviour.

Graphical abstract
Happiness in Old Age: The Daughter Connection
Authors: Sukontamarn Pataporn , Asadullah M. Niaz , Photphisutthiphong Nopphawan , Nguyen Yen Thi Hai
Published: April 2023

Family and intergenerational relationships are becoming increasingly important as sources of support and care for the elderly population in rapidly ageing Asian societies. However, this has also raised concerns over reinforcement of cultural preference for sons as a source of old-age security. This paper therefore revisits the question—what determines happiness in old age—by investigating the role of adult children’s gender in the context of Thailand, an ageing Asian country with no legacy of sex-preference in fertility. We employ nationally representative data to examine the association between old-age happiness and presence of a co-residing child. Compared to living alone, living with at least one child is found to positively associate with older persons’ happiness. However, this result is specific to daughters. Moreover, compared to older men, women systematically benefit from a “daughter effect”. Co-residing daughters with university education and those who maintain a good relationship with their parents help explain the positive happiness effect on older persons. Co-residing daughters are also positively linked to  reduced loneliness; improved self-rated health; and improved economic conditions of older parents. Our findings suggest that policies that increase human capital of the girl child and enhance family solidarity are likely to have long term intergenerational wellbeing benefits.
Reprocessing 2-D airgun seismic reflection data SALTFLU (salt deformation and sub-salt fluid circulation in the Algero-Balearic abyssal plain) in the Balearic promontory and the Algerian basin
Authors: Blondel Simon , Ford Jonathan , Lockwood Aaron , Del Ben Anna , Camerlenghi Angelo
Published: April 2023

In an ever more challenging context for the acquisition of seismic data in the Mediterranean Sea, reprocessing to improve the quality of legacy data has become increasingly important. This work presents the newly reprocessed, open access dataset SALTFLU acquired in the Algerian basin by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) in 2012. We apply a ‘broadband’ reprocessing strategy adapted for offset-limited (3 km streamer for a target 4 km below the sea level) airgun reflection seismic data acquired in deep water settings. We then assess if the reprocessed images provide new geological insights on the Mediterranean sub-surface. The workflow relies on an integrated approach combining geophysics and geological interpretation to iteratively build the velocity model. In this way we aim to tackle some of the challenges linked to imaging deep complex geological structures containing high velocity contrasts with 2-D, offset-limited seismic data. We first broaden the bandwidth of the data through multi-domain de-noising, deghosting and a source designature using an operator derived from the seabed reflection. We then perform iterative migration velocity analysis, pre-stack time migration and multiple attenuation in the Radon domain to obtain time-migrated images. The initial velocity model is derived from the resulting time migration velocities, and geologically driven model updates are generated using a combination of travel-time tomography, seismic interpretation of the major salt horizons and velocity gradient flooding. The gradient flooding aims to reproduce the large scale first-order velocity variations, while the travel-time tomography aims to resolve the smaller second-order velocity variations. The results improve our deep geological knowledge of the under-explored Algerian basin down to the base salt and the pre-salt. Fluid indicators are imaged within the Plio-Quaternary of the Algerian basin, which we interpret as thermogenic or biogenic gas sourced from either the Messinian Upper Unit or from the pre-salt, migrating through a hydro-fractured salt. The reprocessed data image lateral and vertical seismic facies variation within the Messinian units that could shed new light on the tectono-stratigraphic processes acting during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. It also reveals numerous previously unresolved volcanic structures within the Formentera basin.
Enhancement of mesenchymal stem cells’ chondrogenic potential by type II collagen-based bioscaffolds
Authors: Piperigkou Zoi , Bainantzou Dimitra , Makri Nadia , Papachristou Eleni , Mantsou Aglaia , Choli-Papadopoulou Theodora , Theocharis Achilleas D. , Karamanos Nikos K.
Published: April 2023

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative chronic disease accounting for physical pain, tissue stiffness and mobility restriction. Current therapeutic approaches fail to prevent the progression of the disease considering the limited knowledge on OA pathobiology. During OA progression, the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the cartilage is aberrantly remodeled by chondrocytes. Chondrocytes, being the main cell population of the cartilage, participate in cartilage regeneration process. To this end, modern tissue engineering strategies involve the recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to their regenerative capacity as to promote chondrocyte self-regeneration.

Methods and results

In the present study, we evaluated the role of type II collagen, as the main matrix macromolecule in the cartilage matrix, to promote chondrogenic differentiation in two MSC in vitro culture systems. The chondrogenic differentiation of human Wharton’s jelly- and dental pulp-derived MSCs was investigated over a 24-day culture period on type II collagen coating to improve the binding affinity of MSCs. Functional assays, demonstrated that type II collagen promoted chondrogenic differentiation in both MSCs tested, which was confirmed through gene and protein analysis of major chondrogenic markers.

Conclusions

Our data support that type II collagen contributes as a natural bioscaffold enhancing chondrogenesis in both MSC models, thus enhancing the commitment of MSC-based therapeutic approaches in regenerative medicine to target OA and bring therapy closer to the clinical use.
Parameter estimation for ergodic linear SDEs from partial and discrete observations
Authors: Kurisaki Masahiro
Published: April 2023

We consider a problem of parameter estimation for the state space model described by linear stochastic differential equations. We assume that an unobservable Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process drives another observable process by the linear stochastic differential equation, and these two processes depend on some unknown parameters. We construct the quasi-maximum likelihood estimator of the unknown parameters and show asymptotic properties of the estimator.
Shared goals and values in the teaching profession, job satisfaction and motivation to leave the teaching profession: The mediating role of psychological need satisfaction
Authors: Skaalvik Einar M. , Skaalvik Sidsel
Published: April 2023

This study explored relations between teachers’ perceptions of sharing educational goals and values with their colleagues (shared values), job satisfaction, and motivation to leave the teaching profession. The extent to which these associations were mediated through indicators of psychological need satisfaction (belonging, autonomy, and competence) was also examined. Participants were 1145 Norwegian teachers. SEM analyses showed that shared values were positively associated with all indicators of psychological need satisfaction. Shared values were also indirectly associated with general job satisfaction, mediated through perceived belonging and competence. In turn, job satisfaction was strongly and negatively associated with motivation to leave.
BARC: Breed-Augmented Regression Using Classification for 3D Dog Reconstruction from Images
Authors: Rueegg Nadine , Zuffi Silvia , Schindler Konrad , Black Michael J.
Published: April 2023

The goal of this work is to reconstruct 3D dogs from monocular images. We take a model-based approach, where we estimate the shape and pose parameters of a 3D articulated shape model for dogs. We consider dogs as they constitute a challenging problem, given they are highly articulated and come in a variety of shapes and appearances. Recent work has considered a similar task using the multi-animal SMAL model, with additional limb scale parameters, obtaining reconstructions that are limited in terms of realism. Like previous work, we observe that the original SMAL model is not expressive enough to represent dogs of many different breeds. Moreover, we make the hypothesis that the supervision signal used to train the network, that is 2D keypoints and silhouettes, is not sufficient to learn a regressor that can distinguish between the large variety of dog breeds. We therefore go beyond previous work in two important ways. First, we modify the SMAL shape space to be more appropriate for representing dog shape. Second, we formulate novel losses that exploit information about dog breeds. In particular, we exploit the fact that dogs of the same breed have similar body shapes. We formulate a novel breed similarity loss, consisting of two parts: One term is a triplet loss, that encourages the shape of dogs from the same breed to be more similar than dogs of different breeds. The second one is a breed classification loss. With our approach we obtain 3D dogs that, compared to previous work, are quantitatively better in terms of 2D reconstruction, and significantly better according to subjective and quantitative 3D evaluations. Our work shows that a-priori side information about similarity of shape and appearance, as provided by breed labels, can help to compensate for the lack of 3D training data. This concept may be applicable to other animal species or groups of species. We call our method BARC (Breed-Augmented Regression using Classification). Our code is publicly available for research purposes at https://barc.is.tue.mpg.de/.