bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between the cutting-edge, tool wear, and chip formation during Inconel 718 dry cutting
Authors: Pérez-Salinas Cristian , de Lacalle L. Norberto López , del Olmo Ander , Kumar Ch Sateesh
Published: May 2024

This study comprehensively addresses the machining of nickel alloys, focusing its attention on crucial aspects related to chip formation and tool wear. Detailed characterization of the morphology and the chip formation process was performed by analyzing parameters such as chip segmentation ratio and variables such as shear band thickness and strain rate. Additionally, a numerical model was used to quantify stresses and temperatures at the tool/chip interface and to evaluate damage, thus contributing to the understanding of the development of chip formation. A transition in chip shapes as the toothing increases is highlighted, evidenced by segmentation ratio values below 0.5, indicative of the presence of discontinuous chips. The increase in cutting-edge radius is associated with a gradual increase in the compression ratio, indicating a higher plastic energy requirement in chip formation. Numerical simulations support this theory of failure. A significant correlation of 80% was identified between flank wear and the increase in shear force oscillation amplitude, indicating that flank wear contributes to system vibration. It is also noted that the adiabatic shear bands (ASB) are narrow, revealing a marked plastic deformation in the primary shear zone. Consequently, the remarkable incidence of wear with cutting parameters on chip formation is demonstrated, affecting the cutting force amplitude and, hence, the workpiece topography.
Comparative pharmacokinetic evaluation of nanoparticle-based vs. conventional pharmaceuticals containing statins in attenuating dyslipidaemia
Authors: Cordina Jacob , Ahmad Isha , Nath Rohan , Abdul Rahim Bahara , Van Andrew , Al-Zuhairi Dalya , Williams Kylie , Pont Lisa , Catanzariti Rachelle , Mehndiratta Samir , Valdivia-Olivares Rayen Yanara , De Rubis Gabriele , Dua Kamal
Published: May 2024

Dyslipidaemia describes the condition of abnormal lipid levels in a person’s bloodstream. Since the 1980s, statin medications have been used to treat dyslipidaemia and other comorbidities, such as stroke risk and atherosclerosis. Statin medications were initially synthesised from fungal metabolites, but many synthetic statin drugs have been manufactured since then. Statin medication is quite effective in reducing total cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, but it has limitations. Due to their poor water solubility, statin drugs possess poor oral bioavailability, which hinders their therapeutic efficacy. Nanoparticle drug delivery technology has been shown to improve the pharmacokinetic profiles of many drug classes, and statins have great potential to benefit from this. This paper reviewed the currently available literature on nanoparticle statin medication and evaluated the possible improvements that can be made to the pharmacokinetic profile and efficacy of conventional statin medication. It was found that the oral bioavailability of nanoparticle medication consistently outperformed conventional medication by up to 400% in some cases. Substantial improvements in time to peak plasma concentration and plasma concentration peaks were also found, and increased periods in circulation before excretion were shown. It was concluded that nanoparticle technology has the potential to completely replace conventional statin medication as it offers more significant benefits with minimal drawbacks. Upon further study and development, the manufacture of nanoparticle statin medication should become feasible enough for large-scale application, which will significantly benefit patients and unburden healthcare systems.
Treating symptomatic flexible flatfoot deformities. a novel technique: comparison of uc berkeley laboratory foot orthosis with and without kinesio taping in juvenil athletes
Authors: Sever Cem , Terzi Eşref , Kurtan Akif , Sökücü Sami , Kıvrak Aybars , Beng Kubilay
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Symptomatic flexible pes planus (SFPP) can cause pain and discomfort when walking or engaging in sportive activities in children and adolescents. SFPP can be treated conservatively with foot orthoses, such as the University of California Berkeley Laboratory (UCBL) foot orthosis, which can improve foot function and reduce pain. Kinesio Tape (KT) has also been used as an adjunct to foot orthoses in the treatment of pes planus. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of the UCBL foot orthosis with and without KT in the treatment of SFPP among amateur juvenile and adolescent athletes.

Methods

Fifty patients with SFPP were included in the study. In 27 patients UCBL foot orthosis with KT (group 1) was used whereas in 23 UCBL (group 2) was preferred only. The patients were evaluated with AOFAS and radiological measurements.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 28.6 ± 4.3(26) months. At the final follow-up AOFAS of group 1 was significantly higher than group 2. In group 2, 12 patients (%52,17) had pressure sores that caused superficial dermabrasion. Lateral TFMAs and talocalcaneal angle in group 1 was significantly better than group 2.

Conclusions

This study attempted to determine if using KT with the UCBL foot orthosis was beneficial to the treatment of SFPP compared to simply wearing the orthosis. Our results suggest that KT is effective in reducing pronation and improving the AOFAS score. The use of UCBL with KT seems to be preferable in children and adolescents with SFPP since it is associated with a lower rate of complication, a higher degree of patient compliance and faster improvement in the radiological and clinical findings, compared to the use of the UCBL orthosis alone.
The Impact of Higher BMI on Wound Complications Following Adolescent Breast Reduction: A Retrospective Study of 1215 Cases
Authors: Yu Victor J. , Pham Jason T. , Evans Adam G. , Guo Yifan
Published: May 2024

Background

Macromastia is a physically and psychologically distressing condition for adolescents. While reduction mammaplasty is often the best treatment, risk factors for adolescent wound complications remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of obesity and other predictors of postoperative wound complications following adolescent reduction mammaplasty using a national database.

Methods

The 2012–2019 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-P) databases were reviewed to identify primary reduction mammaplasty encounters. World Health Organization Body Mass Index (BMI), alongside patient and case characteristics, were assessed for association for 30-day wound disruption or surgical site complications. Statistical analyses were performed to identify independent predictors for complications and determine a potential BMI cutoff for risk stratification.

Results

There were 1215 patients with an average age of 16.6 years. The average BMI was 30.7 kg/m2, and 593 (48.8%) patients were nonobese while 622 (51.2%) were obese. The incidence of complications was 5.27%. Independent predictors of complications included a BMI 35–39.9, BMI  > 40, and an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Classification  > 3. A receiver operating characteristic curve determined that a BMI of 34.6 can be a potential cutoff for increased complication risk.

Conclusions

Higher obesity increases risk of wound complications; however, complication rates remain low. A BMI of 34.6 is a potential screening metric for counseling and monitoring patients. Reduction mammaplasty should remain a viable option as it can significantly improve quality of life.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Exploring polyphosphates in soil: presence, extractability, and contribution to microbial biomass phosphorus
Authors: Čapek Petr , Tupá Adéla , Choma Michal
Published: May 2024

Polyphosphates (Poly-P) are known to fulfil several important physiological functions. Many microorganisms can accumulate large amounts of Poly-P in their biomass. Regardless of these facts, systematic research on Poly-P in soil is missing, probably due to the absence of any method of direct Poly-P quantification. In this study, we attempted to unequivocally prove the presence of Poly-P in the biomass of soil microorganisms and quantify their extractability and contribution to microbial biomass phosphorus. To do so, we combined several approaches that can indicate Poly-P presence in soil microbial biomass indirectly, i.e. growth of soil inoculum on media without phosphorus, associated with measurement of changes in the microbial biomass stoichiometry, and the colour of the microbial suspension stained by the Neisser method. All soil microbial communities exhibited growth on media without phosphorus. As the growth on this media depleted Poly-P content, the biomass carbon to phosphorus and nitrogen to phosphorus ratio increased and the colour of the microbial suspension stained by the Neisser method changed predictively. The associated Poly-P addition experiment indicated that the recovery of added Poly-P from soil in form of soluble reactive phosphorus in sodium bicarbonate extract may reach up to 93% mainly due to abiotic depolymerization. Using a simple stoichiometric model applied to measured data, we calculated that the Poly-P content of microbial biomass in our soils may be up to 45 or 70% of total microbial biomass phosphorus depending on the assumptions applied regarding parameter values. We discuss the magnitude of error associated with the measurement of soil microbial phosphorus due to the high extractability of Poly-P.
Online Multiset Submodular Cover
Authors: Halldórsson Magnús M. , Rawitz Dror
Published: May 2024

We study the Online Multiset Submodular Cover problem (OMSC), where we are given a universe U of elements and a collection of subsets $$\mathcal {S}\subseteq 2^U$$

S
⊆

2
U

. Each element $$u_j \in U$$

u
j

∈
U

is associated with a nonnegative, nondecreasing, submodular polynomially computable set function $$f_j$$

f
j

. Initially, the elements are uncovered, and therefore we pay a penalty per each unit of uncovered element. Subsets with various coverage and cost arrive online. Upon arrival of a new subset, the online algorithm must decide how many copies of the arriving subset to add to the solution. This decision is irrevocable, in the sense that the algorithm will not be able to add more copies of this subset in the future. On the other hand, the algorithm can drop copies of a subset, but such copies cannot be retrieved later. The goal is to minimize the total cost of subsets taken plus penalties for uncovered elements. We present an $$O(\sqrt{\rho _{\max }})$$

O
(

ρ
max

)

-competitive algorithm for OMSC that does not dismiss subset copies that were taken into the solution, but relies on prior knowledge of the value of $$\rho _{\max }$$

ρ
max

, where $$\rho _{\max }$$

ρ
max

is the maximum ratio, over all subsets, between the penalties covered by a subset and its cost. We provide an $$O\left( \log (\rho _{\max }) \sqrt{\rho _{\max }} \right) $$

O

log

(

ρ
max

)

ρ
max

-competitive algorithm for OMSC that does not rely on advance knowledge of $$\rho _{\max }$$

ρ
max

but uses dismissals of previously taken subsets. Finally, for the capacitated versions of the Online Multiset Multicover problem, we obtain an $$O(\sqrt{\rho _{\max }'})$$

O
(

ρ

max

′

)

-competitive algorithm when $$\rho _{\max }'$$

ρ

max

′

is known and an $$O\left( \log (\rho _{\max }') \sqrt{\rho _{\max }'} \right) $$

O

log

(

ρ

max

′

)

ρ

max

′

-competitive algorithm when $$\rho _{\max }'$$

ρ

max

′

is unknown, where $$\rho _{\max }'$$

ρ

max

′

is the maximum ratio over all subset incarnations between the penalties covered by this incarnation and its cost.
Dyslipidemia in children with chronic kidney disease—findings from the Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (4C) study
Authors: Mencarelli Francesca , Azukaitis Karolis , Kirchner Marietta , Bayazit Aysun , Duzova Ali , Canpolat Nur , Bulut Ipek Kaplan , Obrycki Lukasz , Ranchin Bruno , Shroff Rukshana , Caliskan Salim , Candan Cengiz , Yilmaz Alev , Özcakar Zeynep Birsin , Halpay Harika , Kiyak Aysel , Erdogan Hakan , Gellermann Jutta , Balat Ayse , Melk Anette , Schaefer Franz , Querfeld Uwe
Published: May 2024

Background

Dyslipidemia is an important and modifiable risk factor for CVD in children with CKD.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study of baseline serum lipid levels in a large prospective cohort study of children with stage 3–5 (predialysis) CKD, frequencies of abnormal lipid levels and types of dyslipidemia were analyzed in the entire cohort and in subpopulations defined by fasting status or by the presence of nephrotic range proteinuria. Associated clinical and laboratory characteristics were determined by multivariable linear regression analysis.

Results

A total of 681 patients aged 12.2 ± 3.3 years with a mean eGFR of 26.9 ± 11.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 were included. Kidney diagnosis was classified as CAKUT in 69%, glomerulopathy in 8.4%, and other disorders in 22.6% of patients. Nephrotic range proteinuria (defined by a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio > 1.1 g/g) was present in 26.9%. Dyslipidemia was found in 71.8%, and high triglyceride (TG) levels were the most common abnormality (54.7%). Fasting status (38.9%) had no effect on dyslipidemia status. Except for a significant increase in TG in more advanced CKD, lipid levels and frequencies of dyslipidemia were not significantly different between CKD stages. Hypertriglyceridemia was associated with younger age, lower eGFR, shorter duration of CKD, higher body mass index (BMI-SDS), lower serum albumin, and higher diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions

Dyslipidemia involving all lipid fractions, but mainly TG, is present in the majority of patients with CKD irrespective of CKD stage or fasting status and is significantly associated with other cardiovascular risk factors.

Graphical abstract
Longitudinal analysis of microcirculatory parameters in gingival tissues after tooth extraction in patients with different risk profiles for wound healing disorders – a pilot study
Authors: Mayr Alexandra , Ciper Nadja , Wahl Gerhard , Wildenhof Jan , Frede Stilla , Kirschneck Christian , Jäger Andreas , Götz Werner , Beisel-Memmert Svenja
Published: May 2024

Objectives

We aimed to establish a risk profile for intraoral wound healing disorders based on measurements of microcirculation in gingival tissues.

Materials and methods

Oxygen saturation (SO2) and blood flow in gingival tissues were measured with tissue spectrometry and laser doppler spectroscopy in 37 patients before/after tooth extractions. Patients were assigned to four groups: anamnestically and periodontally healthy patients (n = 7), anamnestically healthy but suffering from periodontitis (n = 10), anamnestically healthy but smoking and suffering from periodontitis (n = 10) and suffering from diabetes and periodontitis (n = 10). Measurements were performed at three different time points: Baseline measurement (T0), one day post extractionem (p.e.) (T1) and seven days p.e. (T2).

Results

Baseline SO2 values were higher in control patients (p = .038). This effect was most evident in comparison to smokers suffering from periodontitis (p = .042), followed by diabetics suffering from periodontitis (p = .09). An opposite trend was seen for blood flow. Patients suffering from periodontitis demonstrated higher blood flow values (p = .012). Five patients, which belonged to the group of smokers suffering from periodontitis, showed clinically a delayed wound healing.

Conclusion

Differences in SO2 and blood flow of gingival tissue could be detected in different groups of patients with existing periodontitis compared to control patients.

Clinical Relevance

Lower baseline SO2 values could be a warning signal for possible wound healing disorders after oral surgery.
A new method for detecting unilateral spatial neglect with tracing tasks using the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure: a pilot study
Authors: Ohama Rintaro , Matsumoto Shuji , Ohama Yumi , Yokoyama Katsuya , Shimodozono Megumi
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To explore efficacy of the “Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) tracing task” as a new test to detect unilateral spatial neglect (USN).

Methods

Subjects were 40 healthy control (HC) and 20 right brain-damaged patients with (USN + , n = 10) or without USN (USN − , n = 10). After the ROCF copying task, the tracing task was performed under conditions that did not leave any tracing lines on the sample figure. Evaluation used the conventional 36-point scoring system, laterality index (LI) as the ratio of the left and right structure scores, and the number of overlaps for each of the left and right structures scored.

Results

In the tracing task, USN + showed a lower LI than HC. Furthermore, left-sided neglect was sometimes more evident than in the copying task. Regarding the total overlapping score, USN + showed a greater score than HC. The right-sided overlapping scores in USN + and USN − were also greater than that in HC. In the right brain-damaged subjects, clinically meaningful correlations were not found between evaluations in the ROCF tracing task and in conventional USN screening tests. Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis to test the power of detection showed moderate performance for the tracing LI (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.54–0.97), which was greater than that of other tests. Further, the total overlapping score in the tracing task showed sensitivity 0.9 (highest among the tests performed), specificity 0.5, and AUC 0.68 (95% CI = 0.43–0.92).

Conclusion

The ROCF tracing task might be a convenient method to detect USN and to reveal the extent of spatial working memory impairment.
The titers of antinuclear antibodies are associated with the degree of inflammation and organ damage in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Shao Huijun , Wu Yue , Tao Xinyu , Liu Qun , Ran Chenyu , Jin Li , Tao Jinhui
Published: May 2024

Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS) falls within the category of connective tissue diseases, characterized by the presence of autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA). However, according to the classification criteria for pSS, some patients may exhibit a negative result for autoantibodies. Patients with a negative result for autoantibodies may lack typical features of connective tissue diseases, and the immunological state as well as the extent of organ involvement and damage may differ from those with positive autoantibodies. This study aims to compare the clinical phenotypes of patients with positive and negative autoantibodies, providing insights for disease classification and treatment selection for clinicians. Patients with pSS were grouped based on the presence and titers of their autoantibodies. Subsequently, differences in organ damage and laboratory indicators were compared between these groups, aiming to analyze the value of autoantibody titers in assessing the condition of pSS. (1) Patients with positive ANA exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory indicators, including ESR, IgG levels, lip gland biopsy pathology grade, and overall organ involvement, in comparison with patients with negative ANA (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ANA-positivity correlated with a higher occurrence of multi-organ damage, particularly affecting the skin, mucous membranes, and the hematological system (P < 0.05). (2) As ANA titers increased, patients demonstrated elevated levels of IgG and an escalation in organ involvement (P < 0.05). (3) Patients in the positive autoantibody group (positive for antinuclear antibodies, anti-SSA, or anti-SSB antibodies) had higher IgG levels compared to the negative group (P < 0.05). (4) Patients with positive anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies exhibited higher levels of inflammatory indicators and IgG compared to other patients (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed in terms of organ involvement and organ damage. Patients with positive ANA in pSS typically exhibit higher levels of inflammation and an increased likelihood of experiencing multi-organ damage. Furthermore, as the ANA titers increase, both inflammation levels and the risk of multi-organ damage also escalate. Additionally, the presence of anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies may contribute to an elevated risk of increased inflammation levels, but does not increase the risk of organ damage.
A DG-Enhancement of $${\text {D}}_{qc}(X)$$ with Applications in Deformation Theory
Authors: Meazzini Francesco
Published: May 2024

It is well-known that DG-enhancements of the unbounded derived category$${\text {D}}_{qc}(X)$$Dqc(X)of quasi-coherent sheaves on a schemeXare all equivalent to each other. Here we present an explicit model which leads to applications in deformation theory. In particular, we shall describe three models for derived endomorphisms of a quasi-coherent sheaf$$\mathcal {F}$$Fon a finite-dimensional Noetherian separated scheme (even if$$\mathcal {F}$$Fdoes not admit a locally free resolution). Moreover, these complexes are endowed with DG-Lie algebra structures, which we prove to control infinitesimal deformations of$$\mathcal {F}$$F.
Standardized transect walks outperform pan traps in assessing wild bee community in a Mediterranean protected area (Asinara National Park, Italy)
Authors: Lezzeri Matteo , Lozano Vanessa , Brundu Giuseppe , Floris Ignazio , Pusceddu Michelina , Quaranta Marino , Satta Alberto
Published: May 2024

The decline of pollinator insects in various parts of the world has increased the interest in studies on bee sampling. Because pollinator management and conservation policies depend on data representing their communities, knowledge of the systematic bias of sampling methods in relation to surrounding habitat is fundamental. This study examined the performance of standardized transect walks and colored pan traps considering differences in bee species richness, diversity, and composition, and the potential bias due to a different availability of floral sources throughout seasons. The study was conducted in a minor outlying island (Asinara, Italy), a natural park characterized by the prevalence of natural or semi-natural habitats and an Oceanic Pluviseasonal Mediterranean bioclimate. We found that transect and pan trap methods reflected different bee communities based on taxonomic families, genera, and species. In general, the transect method captured more varied samples than pan traps, despite the significantly lower number of individuals captured on transects. Moreover, pan traps captured more bees as floral abundance decreased, whereas transects showed greater bee abundance, richness, and diversity with increasing floral resource availability. In addition, 18 species out of the 68 observed in total were caught exclusively with pan traps, especially in July–October, when transect catches decreased due to substantial bloom reduction. Therefore, alternating the two methods according to season (i.e., transect in late winter-spring and pan trap in summer-autumn) might be the most suitable trade-off to obtain a better representation of the bee community by limiting sampling efforts and the negative impact on bee fauna.
Parental Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Bullying Victimization in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Grama Diana Ioana , Georgescu Raluca Diana , Coşa Iulia Maria , Dobrean Anca
Published: May 2024

The main objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate how modifiable parental factors are related to traditional and cyberbullying victimization in children and adolescents. A systematic literature search of modifiable parental factors associated with bullying victimization was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. Meta-analyses were performed to assess the mean effect sizes of the associations between the broader categories of parental factors (risk and protective) and bullying victimization (traditional and cyber), as well as between specific parental factors and bullying victimization (traditional and cyber). The differential impact of maternal and paternal factors (risk and protective) was examined. Age and gender were tested as moderators. Out of the 13,171 records identified, 158 studies met the inclusion criteria. Larger evidence was found for the association between parental risk (i.e., authoritarian parenting, aversiveness, inter-parental conflict, over-involvement, permissive parenting, and withdrawal) and protective (i.e., authoritative parenting, autonomy granting, warmth, and monitoring) factors, respectively, and traditional bullying victimization, with parental warmth, aversiveness, and withdrawal being the only common related predictors for traditional and cyberbullying victimization. The effect sizes were generally small. Maternal and paternal factors showed similar patterns of association with both types of bullying victimization. Age had a moderating effect on the association between parental protective factors and cyberbullying victimization. Overall, the present findings suggest that parental factors are relevant in protecting or putting children at risk for bullying victimization, especially in the offline context.
The holocentricity in the dioecious nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is not based on major satellite repeats
Authors: Kuo Yi-Tzu , Kurian Jacob Gigi , Schubert Veit , Fuchs Jörg , Melzer Michael , Muraleedharan Ananthu , Maruthachalam Ravi , Houben Andreas
Published: May 2024

Holocentric species are characterized by the presence of centromeres throughout the length of the chromosomes. We confirmed the holocentricity of the dioecious, small chromosome-size species Myristica fragrans based on the chromosome-wide distribution of the centromere-specific protein KNL1, α-tubulin fibers, and the cell cycle-dependent histone H3 serine 28 phosphorylation (H3S28ph) mark. Each holocentromere is likely composed of, on average, ten centromere units, but none of the identified and in situ hybridized high-copy satellite repeats is centromere-specific. No sex-specific major repeats are present in the high-copy repeat composition of male or female plants, or a significant difference in genome size was detected. Therefore, it is unlikely that M. fragrans possesses heteromorphic sex chromosomes.
The effects of immersive virtual reality field trips upon student academic achievement, cognitive load, and multimodal presence in a social studies educational context
Authors: Alazmi Huda S. , Alemtairy Ghader M.
Published: May 2024

There is increasing educational interest in immersive virtual reality (IVR) applications which aid student learning and performance. However, few empirical studies have investigated the potential for implementing the technology in middle-school social studies classrooms. This study employed a quasi-experimental approach to address this issue, using pre- and post-test evaluations to measure academic achievement, and questionnaires to examine cognitive load and sense-of-presence. 48 seventh-grade students participated, split evenly between experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a systematic set of IVR-based social studies lessons via Head-Mounted Displays, while the control group covered identical content conventionally. Experimental group participants attained higher academic achievement with lower cognitive loading than control group students. The experimental group also experienced high levels of multimodal presence (physical, social, and self). This study yielded empirical evidence demonstrating the potential benefits which IVR offers social studies education. Furthermore, it provides an example for how effective, IVR-based social studies lessons can be developed.
First transcriptomic insight into the working muscles of racing pigeons during a competition flight
Authors: Stefaniuk-Szmukier Monika , Szmatoła Tomasz , Pustelnik Agnieszka , Ropka-Molik Katarzyna
Published: May 2024

Background

The currently known homing pigeon is a result of a sharp one-sided selection for flight characteristics focused on speed, endurance, and spatial orientation. This has led to extremely well-adapted athletic phenotypes in racing birds.

Methods

Here, we identify genes and pathways contributing to exercise adaptation in sport pigeons by applying next-generation transcriptome sequencing of m.pectoralis muscle samples, collected before and after a 300 km competition flight.

Results

The analysis of differentially expressed genes pictured the central role of pathways involved in fuel selection and muscle maintenance during flight, with a set of genes, in which variations may therefore be exploited for genetic improvement of the racing pigeon population towards specific categories of competition flights.

Conclusions

The presented results are a background to understanding the genetic processes in the muscles of birds during flight and also are the starting point of further selection of genetic markers associated with racing performance in carrier pigeons.
Epistemic ownership and the practical/epistemic parallelism
Authors: Navarro Jesús
Published: May 2024

We may succed in the fulfilment of our desires but still fail to properly own our practical life, perhaps because we acted as addicts, driven by desires that are alien to our will, or as “wantons,” satisfying the desires that we simply happen to have (Frankfurt, 1988). May we equally fail to own the outcomes of our epistemic life? If so, how may we attain epistemic ownership over it? This paper explores the structural parallellism between practical and epistemic rationality, building on Williamson’s (2002) suggestion that we should commence with successful performances as the foundation for both domains, be it action or knowledge. By highlighting the limitations of higher-order regulative approaches in epistemology, exemplified by Sosa (2007, 2011, 2015, 2021), the paper introduces a form of teleological epistemic constitutivism inspired by Velleman (2000, 2009). The proposal is that epistemic ownership is not attained in the mere pursuit of truth or knowledge, but requires furthermore a struggle to understand what we know.
Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Zinc-tin Based Nanoflower for the Adsorptive Removal of Cadmium from Synthetic Wastewater
Authors: Toprak Münevver , Yıldız Barış , Zaman Buse Tuğba , Bozyiğit Gamze Dalgıç , Temuge İlknur Durukan , Çetin Gülten , Bakırdere Sezgin
Published: May 2024

The present study utilized zinc-tin nanoflowers (ZT-NFs) in a batch adsorption treatment process to effectively remove cadmium from synthetic wastewater. The batch adsorption strategy was optimized using the univariate approach to enhance the efficiency of the adsorption process. The dominant parameters examined in the optimization experiments were pH/volume of buffer solution, nanoflower amount, and sample agitation type/period. After determining the optimal batch adsorption conditions, equilibrium studies were performed by adding cadmium to synthetic wastewater at concentrations in the range of 1.0 – 40 mg/L. The quantification accuracy for cadmium was improved by developing the calibration plot with spiked sample matrix. The equilibrium data were subjected to mathematical modelling utilizing the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The calculated isotherm constants indicated a well-fitted isotherm model to the experimental data. The reported ZT-NFs-based adsorptive removal strategy was effectively employed to remove cadmium from synthetic wastewater.
Evolving Improved Sampling Protocols for Dose–Response Modelling Using Genetic Algorithms with a Profile-Likelihood Metric
Authors: Lam Nicholas N. , Murray Rua , Docherty Paul D.
Published: May 2024

Practical limitations of quality and quantity of data can limit the precision of parameter identification in mathematical models. Model-based experimental design approaches have been developed to minimise parameter uncertainty, but the majority of these approaches have relied on first-order approximations of model sensitivity at a local point in parameter space. Practical identifiability approaches such as profile-likelihood have shown potential for quantifying parameter uncertainty beyond linear approximations. This research presents a genetic algorithm approach to optimise sample timing across various parameterisations of a demonstrative PK-PD model with the goal of aiding experimental design. The optimisation relies on a chosen metric of parameter uncertainty that is based on the profile-likelihood method. Additionally, the approach considers cases where multiple parameter scenarios may require simultaneous optimisation. The genetic algorithm approach was able to locate near-optimal sampling protocols for a wide range of sample number (n = 3–20), and it reduced the parameter variance metric by 33–37% on average. The profile-likelihood metric also correlated well with an existing Monte Carlo-based metric (with a worst-case r > 0.89), while reducing computational cost by an order of magnitude. The combination of the new profile-likelihood metric and the genetic algorithm demonstrate the feasibility of considering the nonlinear nature of models in optimal experimental design at a reasonable computational cost. The outputs of such a process could allow for experimenters to either improve parameter certainty given a fixed number of samples, or reduce sample quantity while retaining the same level of parameter certainty.
Evaluation of augmented reality training for a navigation device used for CT-guided needle placement
Authors: Stauffer T. , Lohmeyer Q. , Melamed S. , Uhde A. , Hostettler R. , Wetzel S. , Meboldt M.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Numerous navigation devices for percutaneous, CT-guided interventions exist and are, due to their advantages, increasingly integrated into the clinical workflow. However, effective training methods to ensure safe usage are still lacking. This study compares the potential of an augmented reality (AR) training application with conventional instructions for the Cube Navigation System (CNS), hypothesizing enhanced training with AR, leading to safer clinical usage.

Methods

An AR-tablet app was developed to train users puncturing with CNS. In a study, 34 medical students were divided into two groups: One trained with the AR-app, while the other used conventional instructions. After training, each participant executed 6 punctures on a phantom (204 in total) following a standardized protocol to identify and measure two potential CNS procedural user errors: (1) missing the coordinates specified and (2) altering the needle trajectory during puncture. Training performance based on train time and occurrence of procedural errors, as well as scores of User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) for both groups, was compared.

Results

Training duration was similar between the groups. However, the AR-trained participants showed a 55.1% reduced frequency of the first procedural error (p > 0.05) and a 35.1% reduced extent of the second procedural error (p < 0.01) compared to the conventionally trained participants. UEQ scores favored the AR-training in five of six categories (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The AR-app enhanced training performance and user experience over traditional methods. This suggests the potential of AR-training for navigation devices like the CNS, potentially increasing their safety, ultimately improving outcomes in percutaneous needle placements.
Enhancing surgical instrument segmentation: integrating vision transformer insights with adapter
Authors: Wei Meng , Shi Miaojing , Vercauteren Tom
Published: May 2024

Purpose

In surgical image segmentation, a major challenge is the extensive time and resources required to gather large-scale annotated datasets. Given the scarcity of annotated data in this field, our work aims to develop a model that achieves competitive performance with training on limited datasets, while also enhancing model robustness in various surgical scenarios.

Methods

We propose a method that harnesses the strengths of pre-trained Vision Transformers (ViTs) and data efficiency of convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Specifically, we demonstrate how a CNN segmentation model can be used as a lightweight adapter for a frozen ViT feature encoder. Our novel feature adapter uses cross-attention modules that merge the multiscale features derived from the CNN encoder with feature embeddings from ViT, ensuring integration of the global insights from ViT along with local information from CNN.

Results

Extensive experiments demonstrate our method outperforms current models in surgical instrument segmentation. Specifically, it achieves superior performance in binary segmentation on the Robust-MIS 2019 dataset, as well as in multiclass segmentation tasks on the EndoVis 2017 and EndoVis 2018 datasets. It also showcases remarkable robustness through cross-dataset validation across these 3 datasets, along with the CholecSeg8k and AutoLaparo datasets. Ablation studies based on the datasets prove the efficacy of our novel adapter module.

Conclusion

In this study, we presented a novel approach integrating ViT and CNN. Our unique feature adapter successfully combines the global insights of ViT with the local, multi-scale spatial capabilities of CNN. This integration effectively overcomes data limitations in surgical instrument segmentation. The source code is available at: https://github.com/weimengmeng1999/AdapterSIS.git.
XTP8 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Progression by Activating AKT/AMPK/mTOR Pathway to Regulate EMT
Authors: Zhao Ruixue , Ning Xin , Lu Hongping , Xu Wei , Ma Jiaxin , Cheng Jun , Ma Rong
Published: May 2024

Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in women. The main contributors to the poor prognosis of ovarian cancer are the high rates of recurrence and metastasis. Studies have indicated a crucial role for hepatitis B virus X Ag-Transactivated Protein 8 (XTP8), a protein containing the DEP domain, in various cellular processes, including cell growth, movement, and differentiation, across several types of cancers. However, the role of XTP8 in ovarian cancer remains unclear. We observed elevated expression of XTP8 in ovarian cancer. Silencing XTP8 inhibited cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and yielded contrasting results in cells overexpressing XTP8. Furthermore, XTP8 facilitated ovarian cancer invasion and migration, triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, XTP8 silencing led to reduced phosphorylation levels of AKT, increased p-AMPK levels, and decreased p-mTOR levels, while XTP8 overexpression exerted the opposite effects. Additionally, the activation of p-AMPK rescued the promoting effect of XTP8 on EMT in ovarian cancer cell lines, indicating that XTP8 acts as an oncogene by modulating the AKT/AMPK/mTOR pathway. Through transcriptome sequencing to identify downstream targets of XTP8, we found that XTP8 influences the expression of Caldesmon (CALD1) at both transcriptional and translational levels. CALD1 can be considered a downstream target of XTP8. The collaborative action of XTP8 and CALD1 activates the AKT/AMPK/mTOR pathway, regulating EMT to promote ovarian cancer progression. Inhibiting this signaling axis might represent a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
Landfill cap models under simulated climate change precipitation: assessing long-term infiltration using the HELP model
Authors: Sinnathamby G. , Phillips D. H. , Paksy A. , Halim M.
Published: May 2024

The Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP) model (v 3.04) was used to assess the hydrological performance of two large-scale (~ 80 × 80 × 90 cm) laboratory-based landfill cap models. Desiccation cracking under simulated climate change precipitation (CCP) events was modelled to predict the performance of landfill caps over a 50-year period in Cumbria England, UK. Cumulative infiltration values under different climate conditions were highly sensitive to macro-pore development in the clay liner which is represented by the changing hydraulic conductivity in HELP simulations. Simulation results of cap design 1 (a clay barrier layer only) show that cumulative annual infiltration under normal precipitation (NP) and CCP events, with the initial hydraulic conductivity, ranged between 1 and 2% of the annual precipitation; however, cumulative annual infiltration was 10 to 68% when maximum (degraded) hydraulic conductivity values were used in simulations. A geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) included in cap design 2 significantly reduce cumulative infiltration.
TA-YOLO: a lightweight small object detection model based on multi-dimensional trans-attention module for remote sensing images
Authors: Li Minze , Chen Yuling , Zhang Tao , Huang Wu
Published: May 2024

Object detection plays a vital role in remote sensing applications. Although object detection has achieved proud results in natural images, these methods are difficult to be directly applied to remote sensing images. Remote sensing images often have complex backgrounds and small objects, which results in a highly unbalanced distribution of foreground and complex background information. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes a multi-head channel and spatial trans-attention (MCSTA) module, which performs remote pixel interaction from the channel and spatial dimensions respectively to complete the attention feature capture function. It is a plug-and-play module that can be easily embedded in any other natural image object detection convolutional neural network, making it quickly applicable to remote sensing images. First, in order to reduce computational complexity and improve feature richness, we use a special linear convolution to obtain three projection features instead of the simple matrix multiplication transformation in Transformer. Second, we obtain trans-attention maps in different dimensions in a manner similar to the self-attention mechanism to capture the interrelationships of features in channels and spaces. In this process, we use a multi-head mechanism to perform parallel operations to improve speed. Furthermore, in order to avoid large-scale matrix operations, we specially designed an attention blocking mode to reduce computer memory usage and increase operation speed. Finally, we embedded the trans-attention module into YOLOv8, added a new detection head and optimized the feature fusion method, thus designing a lightweight small object detection model named TA-YOLO for remote sensing images. It has fewer parameters than the benchmark model YOLOv8, and its mAP on the PASCAL VOC and VisDrone data sets increased by 1.3% and 6.2% respectively. The experimental results prove the powerful function of the trans-attention module and the excellent performance of TA-YOLO.
Urine polymerase chain reaction tests: stewardship helper or hinderance?
Authors: Zering Jessica , Stohs Erica J.
Published: May 2024

Urine polymerase chain reaction is a laboratory test promoted to healthcare professionals working in long-term care facilities as a rapid diagnostic platform for urinary tract infection. Little is known about the place of this testing and its potential impact on antimicrobial stewardship programs. In this commentary, we review the currently available literature and provide recommendations for long-term care stewardship programs to consider.
On invariant holonomies between centers
Authors: SAGHIN RADU
Published: May 2024

We prove that for
$C^{1+\theta }$
,
$\theta $
-bunched, dynamically coherent partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms, the stable and unstable holonomies between center leaves are
$C^1$
, and the derivative depends continuously on the points and on the map. Also for
$C^{1+\theta }$
,
$\theta $
-bunched partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms, the derivative cocycle restricted to the center bundle has invariant continuous holonomies which depend continuously on the map. This generalizes previous results by Pugh, Shub, and Wilkinson; Burns and Wilkinson; Brown; Obata; Avila, Santamaria, and Viana; and Marin.
Weighted topological pressure revisited
Authors: ALIBABAEI NIMA
Published: May 2024

Feng and Huang [Variational principle for weighted topological pressure. J. Math. Pures Appl. (9)106 (2016), 411–452] introduced weighted topological entropy and pressure for factor maps between dynamical systems and established its variational principle. Tsukamoto [New approach to weighted topological entropy and pressure. Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys.43 (2023), 1004–1034] redefined those invariants quite differently for the simplest case and showed via the variational principle that the two definitions coincide. We generalize Tsukamoto’s approach, redefine the weighted topological entropy and pressure for higher dimensions, and prove the variational principle. Our result allows for an elementary calculation of the Hausdorff dimension of affine-invariant sets such as self-affine sponges and certain sofic sets that reside in Euclidean space of arbitrary dimension.
Gut protozoa of wild rodents – a meta-analysis
Authors: Hunter-Barnett Simon , Viney Mark
Published: May 2024

Protozoa are well-known inhabitants of the mammalian gut and so of the gut microbiome. While there has been extensive study of a number of species of gut protozoa in laboratory animals, particularly rodents, the biology of the gut protozoa of wild rodents is much less well-known. Here we have systematically searched the published literature to describe the gut protozoa of wild rodents, in total finding records of 44 genera of protozoa infecting 228 rodent host species. We then undertook meta-analyses that estimated the overall prevalence of gut protozoa in wild rodents to be 24%, with significant variation in prevalence among some host species. We investigated how host traits may affect protozoa prevalence, finding that for some host lifestyles some protozoa differed in their prevalence. This synthesis of existing data on wild rodent gut protozoa provides a better understanding of the biology of these common gut inhabitants and suggests directions for their future study.
Cognitive linguistics-inspired language instruction
Authors: Qin Jie , Liu Dilin , Lei Lei
Published: May 2024

Second language acquisition (SLA) or second/foreign language teaching has been influenced to various degrees by key linguistic theories, including structural linguistics (Bloomfield, 1933; Saussure, 1959), generative linguistics (Chomsky, 1957, 1965), systemic functional linguistics (Halliday, 1973), and, more recently, contemporary Cognitive Linguistics (CL; Goldberg, 1995; Lakoff, 1987, 1993; Langacker, 1987, 1991; Talmy, 1988, 2000), a theory composed of several related linguistic approaches often viewed as a response or complement to generative linguistics. While structural linguistics, generative linguistics, and systemic functional linguistics have each provided a theoretical impetus for one or more of the prominent language teaching methods or approaches over the past century (such as the Audiolingual method, the Natural method, and the Communicative Language Teaching method), CL, as a newcomer, has begun to exert a growing influence since the early 1990s. Given that the purpose of this research timeline article is to present a historical overview of the key thoughts and studies on CL-inspired approaches to instructed second language acquisition (ISLA),1 a brief discussion of CL's main differences from the other linguistic theories and its key theoretical tenets is in order.
Non-invertible planar self-affine sets
Authors: KÄENMÄKI ANTTI , NISSINEN PETTERI
Published: May 2024

We compare the dimension of a non-invertible self-affine set to the dimension of the respective invertible self-affine set. In particular, for generic planar self-affine sets, we show that the dimensions coincide when they are large and differ when they are small. Our study relies on thermodynamic formalism where, for dominated and irreducible matrices, we completely characterise the behaviour of the pressures.