bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial and Anti‐inflammatory Effects of Clarithromycin‐Loaded Poly(l‐Lactide) Membrane in Rabbit Postoperation Model of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chen Zhengming , Zheng Hongliang , Cheng Ruoyu , Lian Bijun , Zhu Chengjing , Cui Wenguo , Tang Haihong
Published: May 2023

Objective

Macrolide antibiotics are often used to prevent infection and inflammation after functional endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial effects of the clarithromycin‐loaded poly(‐lactide) (CLA‐PLLA) membrane and its mechanism.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Animal Experiment Center.

Methods

We compared the difference between poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) and CLA‐PLLA membranes by observing the morphology of fibrous scaffolds, measuring water contact angle, tensile strength, and drug release capacity, and evaluating the antimicrobial activity of CLA‐PLLA. Twenty‐four rabbits were divided into a PLLA group and a CLA‐PLLA group after establishing CRS models. Another 5 normal rabbits comprised the control group. After 3 months, we placed the PLLA membrane in the nasal cavity of the PLLA group and the CLA‐PLLA membrane in the CLA‐PLLA group. Then, 14 days later, we evaluated the histological and ultrastructural changes in the sinus mucosa, protein, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐8, tumor necrosis factor‐α, transforming growth factor‐β1, α‐smooth muscle actin, and type I collagen.

Results

The CLA‐PLLA membrane showed no significant difference in physical performance to the PLLA membrane, which continuously released 95% of the clarithromycin (CLA) for 2 months. The CLA‐PLLA membrane had significant bacteriostatic properties that can improve the morphology of mucosal tissues, and inhibit protein and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, CLA‐PLLA also inhibited the expression of fibrosis‐associated marker molecules.

Conclusion

The CLA‐PLLA membrane released CLA slowly and continuously, providing antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects in a rabbit model of postoperative CRS.
Surgical and Biochemical Outcomes in Nerve Monitored Reoperation Surgery for Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Patel Krupa R. , Wang Bo , Abdelhamid Ahmed Amr H. , Okose Okenwa C. , Ma Honghzhi , Behr Ian J. , Cheung Anthony Y. , Saito Yoshiyuki , Kamani Dipti , Silver Karcioglu Amanda , Liddy Whitney , Takami Hiroshi , Cunnane MaryBeth , Randolph Gregory W.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To study the surgical and biochemical outcomes in nerve‐monitored reoperation or revision surgery for recurrent thyroid cancers.

Study Design

A single‐center retrospective study.

Setting

Tertiary center.

Methods

We identified patients with recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent reoperation/revision surgery. Study outcomes were surgical complications frequency, recurrence, distant metastasis, and biological complete response (BCR) by comparing preoperative and postoperative thyroglobulin (Tg) levels.

Results

Out of 227 patients, 33.9% presented for ≥2 reoperation surgeries. Nineteen (8.4%) had permanent preoperative hypoparathyroidism while 22 patients (9.7%) had preoperative vocal cord paralysis (VCP). Following reoperation surgery, there were 12 cases (5.3%) of permanent hypocalcemia and no cases of unexpected postoperative VCP. BCR was achieved in 31 patients (35.2%) with complete Tg data. Mean preoperative Tg was 47.7 ng/mL and was 19.7 ng/mL postoperatively (p = .003). The cervical nodal recurrence rate after final surgery was 7.0% (n = 16).

Conclusion

Reoperation surgery for recurrent PTC may help achieve biochemical remission regardless of age or the number of prior surgeries.
A quadratic decoder approach to nonintrusive reduced‐order modeling of nonlinear dynamical systems
Authors: Benner Peter , Goyal Pawan , Heiland Jan , Pontes Duff Igor
Published: May 2023

Linear projection schemes like Proper Orthogonal Decomposition can efficiently reduce the dimensions of dynamical systems but are naturally limited, e.g., for convection‐dominated problems. Nonlinear approaches have shown to outperform linear methods in terms of dimension reduction versus accuracy but, typically, come with a large computational overhead. In this work, we consider a quadratic reduction scheme which induces nonlinear structures that are well accessible to tensorized linear algebra routines. We discuss that nonintrusive approaches can be used to simultaneously reduce the complexity in the equations and propose an operator inference formulation that respects dynamics on nonlinear manifolds.
Topology optimization of a rotating electric machine by the topological derivative
Authors: Gangl Peter , Krenn Nepomuk
Published: May 2023

We consider the topology optimization of a rotating electric machine in magnetoquasistatic operation in two space dimensions. This amounts to a topology optimization problem subject to a parabolic PDE constraint on a moving domain which we intend to solve by means of the topological derivative concept. For that purpose, we consider a topological perturbation of the materials in the space‐time cylinder along a trajectory given by the rotation of the machine. Using a Lagrangian approach, we derive the topological derivative formula, which depends on the solution of an exterior problem that is bounded in time and unbounded in the space directions. We use this sensitivity information for the design optimization of an electric motor by means of a level set method.
About the applicability of the theory of porous media for the modelling of non‐isothermal material injection into porous structures
Authors: Völter Jan-Sören L. , Ricken Tim , Röhrle Oliver
Published: May 2023

In this contribution we investigate the relevance of the theory of porous media for the non‐isothermal modelling of material injection into porous structures. In particular, we provide a model describing the injection of cement during percutaneous vertebroplasty, which is derived by consistently following the theory of porous media. We demonstrate numerically that this model elicits unphysical behaviour under local thermal non‐equilibrium conditions. No distinct unphysical behaviour is observed under local thermal equilibrium conditions. We conclude that heuristic modifications of the model equations are necessary and suspect the unphysical behaviour to be caused by contradictory modelling assumptions.
Improved time integration for phase‐field crystal models of solidification
Authors: Punke Maik , Wise Steven M. , Voigt Axel , Salvalaglio Marco
Published: May 2023

We optimize a numerical time‐stabilization routine for a class of phase‐field crystal (PFC) models of solidification. By numerical experiments, we demonstrate that our simple approach can improve the accuracy of underlying time integration schemes by a few orders of magnitude. We investigate different time integration schemes. Moreover, as a prototypical example for applications, we extend our numerical approach to a PFC model of solidification with an explicit temperature coupling.
Frequency domain full waveform inversion with small‐scale laboratory measurements for reconnaissance in mechanized tunneling
Authors: Riedel Christopher , Musayev Khayal , Baitsch Matthias , Hackl Klaus
Published: May 2023

In mechanized tunneling, so‐called tunnel boring machines (TBMs) drill through the ground in an automatized manner. Therefore, the drilling process is very efficient but the maintenance costs are high. Seismic exploration seems appropriate to identify changing ground conditions in front of the TBM to reduce costs from damages of the TBM and from the corresponding dwell times. Today's seismic exploration techniques are using only a small amount of the information, which is contained in the seismic records from field observations, whereas full waveform inversion (FWI) tries to use the whole content. The potential of different FWI approaches for the application in mechanized tunneling has been investigated. An analysis of the performance of FWI not only employing synthetic examples but additionally measured waveforms is essential. Since seismic surveys at the construction side are not performed with FWI in mind, the data sets are usually not appropriate for testing the developed algorithms. Nevertheless, a validation of FWI approaches by measured waveforms is possible by using waveform recordings from a small‐scale experimental setup. A small‐scale super high strength grout specimen is constructed for validating an adjoint frequency domain FWI approach. Frequency domain models compute the seismic response of a system for an infinite time interval. The attenuation of the material as well as the attenuation effects at the free surfaces are hard to quantify over an infinite time interval. Therefore, the specimen is designed in a way that four of the six borders can be modeled as absorbing boundaries. For this purpose, the displacement recordings are truncated just before the waves that are reflected at the excluded borders arrive at the measurement points. This design in combination with a notch representing a rectangular tunnel makes the measurements more similar to data from a tunnel construction side. A rectangular hole is embedded in the specimen and acts as material discontinuity, which the FWI approach is aiming to detect.
Optimal attitude maneuvers in the presence of prohibited directions
Authors: Ailabouni David , Meister Andreas , Spindler Karlheinz
Published: May 2023

We consider the problem of realigning a space telescope from one observation target to the next in the presence of prohibited directions. More specifically, we want to steer the space telescope – modelled as a gyrostat – from an initial attitude at rest to a final attitude at rest within a fixed time interval. During the motion, the line of sight of the telescope must be kept away from forbidden directions towards bright objects like the sun, moon or earth due to power or thermal requirements. The kinematics of the spacecraft motion are governed by a differential equation on the rotation group SO(3). Treating the angular velocities as control variables, this equation takes the form of a controlled dynamical system. To ensure reorientation maneuvers satisfying these pointing constraints, we introduce a cost functional penalizing proximity of the line of sight of the telescope to any of the forbidden directions. Furthermore, we include penalty terms which provide a smooth motion of the satellite and ensure the execution of a rest‐to‐rest maneuver. The chosen cost functional is minimized over all possible trajectories of the controlled dynamical system between the prescribed initial and target attitudes, which leads to an optimal control problem on SO(3), which is solved by applying a version of Pontryagin's Maximum Principle tailor‐made for optimal control problems on Lie groups. Parametrizing SO(3) in terms of Cardan angles, the solution is formulated as a boundary‐value problem on Euclidean space and hence can be solved numerically by conventional methods. The existence of two first integrals is established and exploited to reduce the computational effort. The applicability of this approach is shown in concrete examples.
System Order Reduction for Gas and Energy Networks
Authors: Himpe Christian , Grundel Sara
Published: May 2023

No matter if natural gas, biogas or hydrogen, gas transport needs to be simulated ahead of dispatch to account for volatilities in demand and supply, so denominations are delivered reliably. The emancipation from producing countries alongside the renewable energy transition increases the number of scenarios to be simulated manifold, which in turn requires the acceleration of computational models to ensure completion of computer simulations before deadlines.

Gas is transported through a network of pipelines which can be mathematically modeled as large‐scale nonlinear port‐Hamiltonian input‐output systems. To reduce computational complexity we propose unsupervised learning via synthetic data of the model's system‐theoretic properties which then enables data‐driven control or model reduction.

We summarize the aspects of nonlinear model reduction techniques adapted to gas pipeline networks and orchestrated to reduce the order of this challenging class of systems originating from hyperbolic systems of partial differential‐algebraic equations, and demonstrate the applicability of our approach numerically.
Augmenting Basis Sets by Normalizing Flows
Authors: Saleh Yahya , Iske Armin , Yachmenev Andrey , Küpper Jochen
Published: May 2023

Approximating functions by a linear span of truncated basis sets is a standard procedure for the numerical solution of differential and integral equations. Commonly used concepts of approximation methods are well‐posed and convergent, by provable approximation orders. On the down side, however, these methods often suffer from the curse of dimensionality, which limits their approximation behavior, especially in situations of highly oscillatory target functions. Nonlinear approximation methods, such as neural networks, were shown to be very efficient in approximating high‐dimensional functions. We investigate nonlinear approximation methods that are constructed by composing standard basis sets with normalizing flows. Such models yield richer approximation spaces while maintaining the density properties of the initial basis set, as we show. Simulations to approximate eigenfunctions of a perturbed quantum harmonic oscillator indicate convergence with respect to the size of the basis set.
Optimal photovoltaic plant dimensioning using consumption data
Authors: Hackenberg Annika , Kappertz Lars , Rapol Satish , Solovievskyi Viacheslav , Büskens Christof
Published: May 2023

In the transition away from fossil energy, the use of renewable energy is gaining more importance. Agricultural businesses have a high energy demand as well as space for the installation of renewable energies, such as photovoltaic systems (PV). However, with the growing difference between electricity prices and feed‐in tariffs, the profitability of photovoltaic systems increasingly depends on the share of self‐consumption. Farmers who want to invest in a PV system are facing the challenge which configuration they should buy. To determine the optimal size and orientation of a PV system, an optimization problem can be formulated which maximizes the profit after 20 years. The cost function is composed of the net present value (NPV), which takes into account the investment and maintenance costs, as well as sales profits and electricity purchase costs. To calculate these, the flow of electricity for one year in a hourly resolution is simulated. For this purpose, the individual consumption curve, which is obtained through measurements, and the power generation of the photovoltaic plant is considered. The power generation is based on physical equations and uses the geographical location of the farm. The size and orientation, such as azimuth and tilt of the system, are included as variable parameters in the optimization problem. Due to the annual curve, both the high‐yield summer months and the winter months are considered. Depending on this generation power curve and its overlap with the consumption power curve, differently oriented and sized photovoltaic systems are recommended. In this paper, the influence of the photovoltaic system orientation is analyzed using different artificially generated consumer curves, each with increased consumption at different times of the day.
A 3rd/2nd order MOOD limited scheme for the shallow water equations
Authors: Hörnschemeyer Sophie , Bacigaluppi Paola , Noelle Sebastian , Chen Guoxian
Published: May 2023

We present a high‐order accurate, positivity‐preserving and well‐balanced finite volume scheme for the shallow water equations with variable topography. An unlimited third‐order scheme is combined with the recent, second‐order accurate Bottom‐Surface‐Gradient Method (BSGM, [5]). This is monitored by an a‐posteriori MOOD (Multidimensional Optimal Order Detection) limiting step [2, 7–9], which detects possible local instabilities of a high‐order candidate solution such as loss of positivity or local oscillations, and switches locally to a lower order, stable and robust “parachute” scheme if necessary. We demonstrate the accuracy, effectiveness and robustness of the proposed adaptive methodology with numerical experiments, both for near‐equilibrium and non‐equilibrium depth‐averaged flows.
Data‐driven inverse design and optimisation of silica aerogel model networks
Authors: Pandit Prakul , Abdusalamov Rasul , Itskov Mikhail , Milow Barbara , Rege Ameya
Published: May 2023

Silica aerogels are highly porous ultralight materials with extremely low density and thermal conductivity. These exceptional properties of silica aerogels are often accounted to microstructure morphology, thus making them of keen research interest for analysing their structure‐property relationships. The classical approach for this involved the microstructure modelling of the silica aerogels with aggregation‐based modelling algorithm viz., diffusion‐limited cluster‐cluster aggregation (DLCA) and then performing finite element method (FEM) on the generated representative volume element (RVEs). However, the process often requires large computation time and resources.

The objective of this work was thus to introduce an artificial intelligence approach based on neural networks and reinforcement learning to eliminate the necessity of generating and simulating 3D silica aerogel models for predicting their structural and mechanical properties. To this end for the forward prediction of the elastic modulus and fractal dimension of the silica aerogels from DLCA parameters, an artificial neural network was developed. Furthermore, to reverse engineer the material and perform inverse material design, a reinforcement learning framework was developed, that is shown to have learned to determine appropriate DLCA model parameters as actions for a desired fractal dimension and elastic modulus.
Pipe Flow Development and Transition in CoSmaPipe Facility
Authors: Richter Stefan , Zanoun El-Sayed , Peixinho Jorge , Egbers Christoph
Published: May 2023

The current research focuses on understanding the transition of pipe flow by using a triggering device. In particular, a transition rod was installed within the CoSma‐Pipe at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus‐Senftenberg. The effect of the transition rod, which has a variable height perpendicular to the axis at the pipe inlet, was examined in a range of 2,500 ≤ Re ≤ 31,000 where Re is the Reynolds number based on the mean velocity, the diameter, and the air's viscosity. This study used constant temperature hot‐wire anemometry to measure the flow. The observed effect of the transition rod was compared to previously published work in which a ring obstacle was used. The main objective of this research is to improve our understanding of the transition of pipe flow by using a triggering device such as the transition rod. By studying the effect of the transition rod on the flow, researchers can gain valuable insights into the dynamics of the transition from laminar to turbulent flow and its implications for various practical applications. This could ultimately lead to the development of more effective ways of controlling and mitigating turbulence in piping systems, engines, turbines, and other applications.
Dual inhibition of the endothelin and angiotensin receptor ameliorates renal and inner ear pathologies in Alport mice
Authors: Cosgrove Dominic , Gratton Michael Anne , Madison Jacob , Vosik Denise , Samuelson Gina , Meehan Daniel , Delimont Duane , Phillips Grady , Smyth Brendan , Pramparo Tiziano , Jarocki Diana , Nguyen Mai , Komers Radko , Jenkinson Celia
Published: May 2023

Alport syndrome (AS), a type IV collagen disorder, leads to glomerular disease and, in some patients, hearing loss. AS is treated with inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin system; however, a need exists for novel therapies, especially those addressing both major pathologies. Sparsentan is a single‐molecule dual endothelin type‐A and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (DEARA) under clinical development for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and IgA nephropathy. We report the ability of sparsentan to ameliorate both renal and inner ear pathologies in an autosomal‐recessive Alport mouse model. Sparsentan significantly delayed onset of glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, proteinuria, and glomerular filtration rate decline. Sparsentan attenuated glomerular basement membrane defects, blunted mesangial filopodial invasion into the glomerular capillaries, increased lifespan more than losartan, and lessened changes in profibrotic/pro‐inflammatory gene pathways in both the glomerular and the renal cortical compartments. Notably, treatment with sparsentan, but not losartan, prevented accumulation of extracellular matrix in the strial capillary basement membranes in the inner ear and reduced susceptibility to hearing loss. Improvements in lifespan and in renal and strial pathology were observed even when sparsentan was initiated after development of renal pathologies. These findings suggest that sparsentan may address both renal and hearing pathologies in Alport syndrome patients. © 2023 Travere Therapeutics, Inc and The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Is hybridisation with non‐native congeneric species a threat to the UK native bluebell Hyacinthoides non‐scripta?
Authors: Ruhsam Markus , Kohn Deborah , Marquardt Jeannine , Leitch Andrew R. , Schneider Harald , Vogel Johannes , Barrett Spencer C. H. , Hulme Philip E. , Squirrell Jane , Hollingsworth Peter M.
Published: May 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Hybridisation is an important evolutionary force in plants, but it can potentially lead to genetic swamping and extinction of one or both parental species. The threat of extinction is of particular concern if hybridisation occurs between native and introduced species, especially when the native is of national importance. The widespread occurrence of non‐native bluebells in the United Kingdom has raised concerns that the iconic native bluebell could be at risk due to extinction by hybridisation from introduced non‐native bluebells. This study determines the taxonomic identity of non‐natives and investigates the amount of hybridisation occurring in natural and semi‐natural UK bluebell populations.

The widespread occurrence of a non‐native bluebell taxon in the UK has raised concerns that the iconic native bluebell H. non‐scripta (Asparagaceae) could be at risk due to extinction by hybridisation from introduced non‐native congeners. Understanding the nature of this threat requires quantification of the extent of hybridisation between the native and non‐native taxa. An additional complication is taxonomic uncertainty regarding the identity of the non‐native bluebells in the United Kingdom that are colloquially referred to as the ‘Spanish’ bluebell (H. hispanica).

We collected 501 bluebell samples from 56 populations in the United Kingdom (H. non‐scripta and non‐natives) and the Iberian Peninsula (H. hispanica). The samples were assayed for variation at 1871 nuclear and 17 plastid single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Our genetic analyses demonstrated that non‐native bluebells in the United Kingdom are not H. hispanica but the hybrid between H. hispanica and H. non‐scripta. Moreover, they supported the hypothesis that Portugal is the country of origin of the first H. hispanica introductions to the United Kingdom. The frequency of hybrids was about 16%. Backcrosses between the (hybrid) non‐native bluebell and the native H. non‐scripta were primarily found in public parks. Of the sampled individuals for H. non‐scripta from natural habitats, only 2% showed evidence of introgression.

Although hybridisation might be frequent in locations where non‐native bluebells have been introduced, we found no evidence of large‐scale introgression in natural H. non‐scripta populations. Therefore, our results do not support concerns of an ‘extinction by hybridisation’ scenario.
Innovation capability, global cooperation, and sustainable development along the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Wang Bo , Gong Siyu , Yang Yang
Published: May 2023

Although the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become the largest global platform for economic, social, and energy cooperation, there remains a question of how to effectively utilize its globalizing role to promote sustainable development among the countries along the route. Innovation capability is identified as the key to resolving sustainable development issue, because innovation capability has the potential to effectively reconcile the conflict between economic development and environmental conservation. Therefore, this study has opted to utilize a sample of 99 countries across the globe, comprising of 78 BRI countries and 21 non‐BRI countries. The DDD model has been employed to examine the impact of innovation capability on sustainable development in the BRI. The result shows that BRI can contribute to the achievement of green sustainable development. Innovation serves as an effective means to improve green sustainable development, which can be achieved through green technical progress and green technical efficiency. In addition, global cooperation has a significant moderating effect on this outcome, with the foreign direct investment and trade capability being the main moderators of economic global cooperation, while digital capability, infrastructure, and social exchange are the main moderators of social global cooperation. Finally, in the regional heterogeneity analysis, we find that the results of the role of the four continents are more consistent with the regression results of the total world sample, the difference being that the moderating role of global cooperation is not consistent across states.
Estimating the dynamic environmental footprints of the global finance and business sector towards sustainable development goals
Authors: Chen Xi , Shuai Chenyang , Zhao Bu
Published: May 2023

The global finance and business is a trillion‐dollar sector whose final demand drives a significant amount of economic production and services in other sectors through trade systems. As economic production and services have a significant impact on the environment, they play a fundamental role in supporting the global sustainable development goals (SDGs). Despite this, little attention has been paid to environmental impact driven by the final demand of global finance and business sector (i.e., environmental footprint). In this paper, we estimated the carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particular matter 10 (PM10) footprints of finance and business sector of 187 economies from 2000 to 2016 using a global multi‐regional input–output model. Our results show that global environmental footprints peaked 10 years ago, and the latest CO2, SO2 and PM10 footprints are approximately 1371, 8.2 and 6.1 million tons, respectively. We also found that 99% of environmental footprints originate from 20% economy‐sectors, and the critical economy‐sectors are identified. In addition, policy interventions on environmental intensity, production efficiency and trade network for mitigating the environmental footprints are proposed as well. Our findings provide a holistic and dynamic picture of the environmental footprints of the global finance and business sector.
Systematic analysis of the prognostic and immunological role of DHX33 in pan‐cancer
Authors: Ding Jingjing , Zhou Jun , Shen Xiaoyi , Zhang Min , Feng Xianzhen , Xu Zhongqing
Published: May 2023

DEAH‐box helicase 33 (DHX33) is a potent oncogenic agent on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and colon cancer. Nevertheless, the prognostic significance of DHX33 in human pan‐cancers remains unclear. Various bioinformatics tools have been used to clarify the oncogenic effects of DHX33 in pan‐cancers. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) were used to evaluate DHX33 at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. The pan‐cancer prognostic prediction value of DHX33 was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier plotter. The association between DHX33 levels and clinicopathological features was then determined using the UALCAN database. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis and nomogram prediction models were constructed. The association between DHX33 levels and immune cell infiltration was then assessed using TISIDB. We determined that DHX33 is aberrantly overexpressed in pan‐cancers and related to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) clinical stage (p < .001). Moreover, DHX33 overexpression was indicative of poor overall survival, disease‐free survival, and progression‐free interval in patients with LUAD (p < .05). Furthermore, DHX33 levels were associated with age, N stage, T stage, and pathologic stage in patients with LUAD (p < .001). Additionally, multivariate Cox analysis revealed that DHX33 was an independent risk factor for OS in patients with LUAD. A nomogram model between DHX33 levels and characteristic clinical parameters was developed. Additionally, DHX33 levels correlated with immunomodulators and chemokines. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the amyloid fiber formation pathway and the WICH complex positively regulates RNA expression pathway, which was the most enriched in LUAD. Our data revealed oncogenic effects of DHX33 in various cancers. We suggest that DHX33 may serve as a biomarker for poor prognosis in LUAD.
Faecal microbiome transplantation improves clinical signs of chronic idiopathic large bowel diarrhoea in working dogs
Authors: Alves João C. , Santos Ana , Jorge Patrícia , Pitães Ângelo
Published: May 2023

Background

Chronic diarrhoea is a common clinical sign in dogs with chronic enteropathy, and psyllium husk has been shown to improve clinical signs in affected dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether faecal microbiome transplant has a similar effect in alleviating clinical signs in dogs with chronic large bowel diarrhoea.

Method

Thirty large‐breed working dogs with chronic large bowel diarrhoea were divided into a psyllium group (PG) and a faecal microbiome transplant group (FMTG). To the PG, 16 g/day of psyllium husk was administered for 30 days. The FMTG received faecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) once via enema. A daily log of faecal characteristics was kept, and the dogs' canine inflammatory bowel disease index (CIBDAI) and body condition scores (BCS) were determined. A Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test was used to compare group results. In addition, the Kaplan–Meier test was used to evaluate the occurrence rate of 1 day or more of diarrhoea and 2 days or more of diarrhoea by day 30.

Results

The sample had a mean age of 3.9 ± 2.1 years and a bodyweight of 25.3 ± 6.8 kg. The FMTG showed a more rapid onset of CIBDAI improvement but no difference in other measures. At 30 days, the FMTG showed a greater improvement in bodyweight and BCS, but no differences were observed in faecal scores, defaecation frequency and time of appearance of episodes of diarrhoea. Time played a significant positive role in the results observed across both groups (p < 0.05).

Limitations

This study did not compare the microbiomes of the dogs before and after treatment, so the role of specific types of bacteria cannot be determined.

Conclusion

Psyllium husk and FMT had similar effects in improving clinical signs of chronic large bowel diarrhoea.
Infinite-dimensional R-matrices for the relativistic scattering of massless modes on AdS2
Authors: García Juan Miguel Nieto , Ruiz Roberto , Torrielli Alessandro
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We construct infinite-dimensional R-matrices that generalise the relativistic scattering of massless modes with the same chirality on AdS2 near the Berestein-Maldacena-Nastase vacuum. We show that the infrared limit of the R-matrices reproduces finite-dimensional scattering of massless modes on AdS2, from which the R-matrices borrow modified braiding unitary. We also prove that the R-matrices enjoy an infinite-dimensional symmetry superalgebra that embeds that of AdS2. Finally, we verify that the R-matrices are also invariant under crossing symmetry.
Full higher-dimensional analysis of moduli oscillation and radiation in expanding universe
Authors: Otsuka Hajime , Sakamura Yutaka
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We investigate effects of the radiation and the moduli oscillation around the stabilized values on the evolution of a 6-dimensional spacetime compactified on S2. In order to see the transition from the 5-dimensional space to the 3-dimensional one, we develop a procedure to pursue the spacetime evolution with appropriate approximations, which is valid until the spacetime behaves like 4-dimensional. In the case that the moduli stabilization process cannot be described in the context of the 4-dimensional effective theory, it takes quite a long time for the moduli oscillation to dominate the total energy density, in contrast to the conventional result obtained by the 4-dimensional effective theory approach. We also found that even if the moduli are set at the stabilized values, they start to oscillate due to the pressure in the extra space S2 in some cases.
Occurrence and concentrations of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in highway stormwater: a comparative field study in Sweden
Authors: Beryani Ali , Flanagan Kelsey , Viklander Maria , Blecken Godecke-Tobias
Published: May 2023

This study details the occurrence and concentrations of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in stormwater collected from a highway bridge catchment in Sweden. The prioritized OMPs were bisphenol-A (BPA), eight alkylphenols, sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and four fractions of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), along with other global parameters, namely, total organic carbon (TOC), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, and conductivity (EC). A Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was applied to estimate the event mean concentrations (EMC) of OMPs based on intra-event subsamples during eight rain events, and analyze the associated uncertainties. Assessing the occurrence of all OMPs in the catchment and comparing the EMC values with corresponding environmental quality standards (EQSs) revealed that BPA, octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol (NP), five carcinogenic and four non-carcinogenic PAHs, and C16-C40 fractions of PHCs can be problematic for freshwater. On the other hand, alkylphenol ethoxylates (OPnEO and NPnEO), six low molecule weight PAHs, and lighter fractions of PHCs (C10-C16) do not occur at levels that are expected to pose an environmental risk. Our data analysis revealed that turbidity has a strong correlation with PAHs, PHCs, and TSS; and TOC and EC highly associated with BPA concentrations. Furthermore, the EMC error analysis showed that high uncertainty in OMP data can influence the final interpretation of EMC values. As such, some of the challenges that were experienced in the presented research yielded suggestions for future monitoring programs to obtain more reliable data acquisition and analysis.
A metabolomic signature of decelerated physiological aging in human plasma
Authors: Janssens Georges E. , Grevendonk Lotte , Schomakers Bauke V. , Perez Ruben Zapata , van Weeghel Michel , Schrauwen Patrick , Hoeks Joris , Houtkooper Riekelt H.
Published: May 2023

The degenerative processes that occur during aging increase the risk of disease and impaired health. Meanwhile, interventions that target aging to promote healthy longevity are gaining interest, both academically and in the public. While nutritional and physical interventions exist, efficacy is often difficult to determine. It is therefore imperative that an aging score measuring the biological aging process is available to the wider public. However, simple, interpret, and accessible biological aging scores are lacking. Here, we developed PhysiAge, a physiological aging score based on five accessible parameters that have influence on or reflect the aging process: (1) average daily step count, (2) blood glucose, (3) systolic blood pressure, (4) sex, and (5) age. Here, we found that compared to calendar age alone, PhysiAge better predicts mortality, as well as established muscle aging markers such as decrease in NAD+ levels, increase in oxidative stress, and decline in physical functioning. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of PhysiAge in identifying relevant factors associated with decelerated aging, we calculated PhysiAges for a cohort of aged individuals and obtained mass spectrometry-based blood plasma metabolomic profiles for each individual. Here, we identified a metabolic signature of decelerated aging, which included components of the TCA cycle, including malate, citrate, and isocitrate. Higher abundance of these metabolites was associated with decelerated aging, in line with supplementation studies in model organisms. PhysiAge represents an accessible way for people to track and intervene in their aging trajectories, and identifies a metabolic signature of decelerated aging in human blood plasma, which can be further studied for its causal involvement in human aging.
Evolution of the Addictovigilance Signal of Zopiclone: A 2014–2020 National Follow-up Study
Authors: Aquizerate Aurélie , Laforgue Edouard-Jules , Istvan Marion , Rousselet Morgane , Gérardin Marie , Jouanjus Emilie , Libert Frédéric ,   French Addictovigilance Network (FAN), Caous Anne-Sylvie , Djezzar Samira , Boucher Alexandra , Daveluy Amélie , Eiden Céline , Fauconneau Bernard , Fournier-Choma Christine , Gibaja Valérie , Lacroix Clémence , Lapeyre-Mestre Maryse , Le Boisselier Reynald , Revol Bruno , Guerlais Marylène , Victorri-Vigneau Caroline
Published: May 2023

Zopiclone, like zolpidem, is under surveillance in France due to its potential for dependence, abuse and misuse. However, part of the narcotics regulation was implemented in 2017 in France for zolpidem only, which has led to an increase in the number of zopiclone consumers. The objective of this article is to present French addictovigilance data regarding the evolution of the abuse, dependence and misuse profiles of zopiclone. We used the following 3 data sources over two periods: the 3-year period before the regulatory measure regarding zolpidem (2014–2016) and the 3-year period after the regulatory measure (2018–2020): (i) Medic'AM, a public database which provides a good overview of the number of boxes of zopiclone reimbursed in France; (ii) all French cases of drug dependence or abuse reported by health professionals to the French Addictovigilance Network (FAN); and (iii) a national epidemiological tool based on the surveillance of falsified prescriptions. Between the first and the second study periods (i) despite an increase in the exposure of the population to zopiclone, the proportion of reports to the FAN remained stable; (ii) the proportion of misusers increased significantly (p < 0.01), from 27% (n = 31) to 48.3% (n = 72); (iii) the profile of problematic users remained comparable with persistence of markers of problematic use; and (iv) there was a significant increase (p = 0.01) in zopiclone fraud for obtention, from 26.1% (n = 30) to 40.9% (n = 61), which mainly concerned nomadism. Prescribers should remain cautious in providing zopiclone prescriptions.
Coating of Aluminum with High Deposition Rates through Extreme High-Speed Laser Application
Authors: Koß Stephan , Vogt Sabrina , Göbel Marco , Schleifenbaum Johannes Henrich
Published: May 2023

In the past few years, the Extreme High-Speed Laser Application (EHLA) process has been used as a coating technology alongside conventional processes due to its unique process characteristics and as an economical and sustainable alternative to traditional technologies. Compared to other LMD processes, the main energy input is into the powder material instead of into the substrate. This potentiates the achievement of to significantly higher surface and deposition rates as well as the coating of heat-sensitive substrates. Moreover, this increase in resource efficiency leads to a more sustainable and economically attractive process. To reduce component´s weight as well as secondary energy consumption, aluminum has become an essential base material in most industrial sectors. Aluminum is not simple to process its resistance is comparatively small due to its low hardness in relation to widely used steels. The low melting temperature of aluminum (approx. 750 °C) poses a great challenge when coating with, for example, iron-based alloys. Another challenge for laser-based systems is the reflectance of aluminum in the wavelength range of conventional laser beam sources (approx. between 1030 and 1070 nm). Therefore, for conventional laser-based processes, laser beam sources in other wavelength spectra, e.g., green or blue, are being developed to improve the processing of aluminum. Currently, commercially available multi-kW lasers in the visible light spectrum are still below the available power of IR-beam sources. In the context of this study, the feasibility of coating aluminum mase materials using EHLA is investigated. Besides the feasibility, the focus is to determine the maximum achievable surface and deposition rates up to the utilization of the available 8 kW infrared laser powder.
Vorhersage bakterieller Genregulation
Authors: Dudek Christian-Alexander , Overmann Jörg , Jahn Dieter
Published: May 2023

Transcriptional regulatory networks are coordinating the lifestyle of all living cells. Understanding regulatory networks is essential to understand how cells react to external stimuli. PRODORIC provides a powerful database and toolbox for the prediction and visualization of regulons in bacteria using transcription factor binding sites based on position weight matrices (PWM).
Pathoproteomik des humanpathogenen Pilzes Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Bigalke Arite , Krüger Thomas , Jia Lei-Jie , Kniemeyer Olaf , Brakhage Axel A.
Published: May 2023

Aspergillus fumigatus is a medically important human pathogenic fungus. It can cause various diseases such as serious allergic reactions and life-threatening, invasive infections. Proteome analyses massively contribute to elucidating host-pathogen interactions. Here, we describe challenges to analyze host-pathogen interactions using mass spectrometry-based proetomics; we provide insights into our research findings and current understanding about the role of proteins from both the fungus and human immune cells during infections.
Wie sekundäre Transporter mit substratbindenden Proteinen interagieren
Authors: Peter Martin F. , Ruland Jan A. , Hagelueken Gregor
Published: May 2023

TRAP-transporters are widespread in bacteria and archaea and are often responsible for the transport of nutrients or virulence factors in pathogens. They consist of three domains, a substrate-binding protein and two membrane domains. Using cryo-EM, we have determined the structure of the membrane domains, revealing a monomeric elevator architecture. Further studies gave insights into the interaction between the domains of TRAP-transporters and how they can be specifically inhibited by using a VHH antibody.
Deoxynivalenol affects cell metabolism in vivo and inhibits protein synthesis in IPEC-1 cells
Authors: Nossol Constanze , Landgraf Peter , Barta-Böszörmenyi Anikó , Kahlert Stefan , Kluess Jeannette , Isermann Berend , Stork Oliver , Dieterich Daniela C. , Dänicke Sven , Rothkötter H.-J.
Published: May 2023

Deoxynivalenol is present in forage crops in concentrations that endanger animal welfare but is also found in cereal-based food. The amphipathic nature of mycotoxins allows them to cross the cell membrane and interacts with different cell organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes. In our study, we investigated the gene expression of several genes in vivo and in vitro that are related to the metabolism. We observed a significantly higher COX5B and MHCII expression in enterocytes of DON-fed pigs compared to CON-fed pigs and a marked increase in GAPDH and SLC7A11 in DON-fed pigs, but we could not confirm this in vitro in IPEC-1. In vitro, functional metabolic analyses were performed with a seahorse analyzer. A significant increase of non-mitochondrial respiration was observed in all DON-treatment groups (50–2000 ng/mL). The oxygen consumption of cells, which were cultured on membranes, was examined with a fiber-glass electrode. Here, we found significantly lower values for DON 200- and DON 2000-treatment group. The effect on ribosomes was investigated using biorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) to tag newly synthesized proteins. A significantly reduced amount was found in almost all DON-treatment groups. Our findings clearly show that apical and basolateral DON-treatment of epithelial cell layer results in decreasing amounts of newly synthesized proteins. Furthermore, our study shows that DON affects enterocyte metabolism in vivo and in vitro.
Editorial: Religion in the public square. revisiting 9/11
Authors: Schmiedel Ulrich
Published: May 2023

Studies on 9/11 could fill a library. In this short introduction, the editor explains the reason for overcoming the hesitation to add more studies to this library by contextualizing and charting the key concerns and the key concepts of the following contributions. These contributions suggest that 9/11 is not necessarily the watershed between a pre- and a post-9/11 order that politicians and pundits continue to write about. Instead, the attacks have served as a catalyst for trends and trajectories in the global governance of religion that continue to have a significant impact today. Returning to 9/11, then, the contributions take stock of these trends and trajectories in order to chart new ways of engaging with religion in the public square.
Isolation and characterization of three pairs of verrucosidin epimers from the marine sediment-derived fungus Penicillium cyclopium and configuration revision of penicyrone A and related analogues
Authors: Li Yan-He , Mándi Attila , Li Hong-Lei , Li Xiao-Ming , Li Xin , Meng Ling-Hong , Yang Sui-Qun , Shi Xiao-Shan , Kurtán Tibor , Wang Bin-Gui
Published: May 2023

Verrucosidins, a methylated α-pyrone class of polyketides rarely reported upon, have been implicated in one or more neurological diseases. Despite the significance of verrucosidins as neurotoxins, the absolute configurations of most of the derivatives have not been accurately characterized yet. In this study, three pairs of C-9 epimeric verrucosidin derivatives, including the known compounds penicyrones A and B (1a/1b) and 9-O-methylpenicyrones A and B (2a/2b), the new compounds 9-O-ethylpenicyrones A and B (3a/3b), together with the related known derivative verrucosidin (4), were isolated and identified from the culture extract ofPenicillium cyclopiumSD-413, which was obtained from the marine sediment collected from the East China sea. Their structures were established based on an in-depth analysis of nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR) and mass spectroscopic data. Determination of the absolute configurations of these compounds was accomplished by Mosher’s method and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and optical rotation (OR). The configurational assignment of penicyrone A demonstrated that the previously reported C-6 absolute configuration of verrucosidin derivatives needs to be revised from (6S) to (6R). The 9R/9Sepimers of compounds1–3were found to exhibit growth inhibition against some pathogenic bacteria, indicating that they have potential as lead compounds for the creation of antimicrobial agents.