bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogel‐based and spheroid‐based autologous chondrocyte implantation of the knee show similar 2‐year functional outcomes: An analysis based on the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU)
Authors: Bumberger Alexander , Niemeyer Philipp , Angele Peter , Wright Emily K. , Faber Svea O.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To compare short‐term patient‐reported outcomes (PRO) of two contemporary matrix‐associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M‐ACI) products for the treatment of large articular cartilage defects of the knee.

Methods

A retrospective, registry‐based, matched‐pair analysis was performed, comparing PRO of patients undergoing isolated M‐ACI with either Spherox™, a spheroid‐based ACI (Sb‐ACI), or NOVOCART™ Inject, a hydrogel‐based ACI product (Hb‐ACI), for a focal full‐thickness cartilage defect of the knee ≥4 cm2. Matching parameters included age, sex, body mass index, defect size, defect localization, symptom duration and previous surgeries. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score were obtained up to the 24‐month follow‐up. The total KOOS response rate and percentage of patients attaining a substantial clinical benefit (SCB) in KOOS subscores were calculated.

Results

A total of 45 patients per group were matched. The response rate after 24 months was not significantly different between the groups (Sb‐ACI 64.4% vs. Hb‐ACI 82.2%, p = 0.057). The number of patients with a SCB at 24 months was not significantly different in any KOOS subscore, despite significantly higher improvement of the total KOOS (14.8 ± 16.2 vs. 21.5 ± 15.4, p = 0.047) and KOOS pain in the Hb‐ACI group (12.2 ± 18.6 vs. 20.6 ± 19.1, p = 0.037). The IKDC score in the Hb‐ACI group was significantly higher at the 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up (60.7 ± 20.2 vs. 70.9 ± 18.0, p = 0.013).

Conclusion

The response rate and number of patients achieving an SCB were not significantly different between patients treated with Sb‐ACI or Hb‐ACI. Both procedures can achieve favourable 2‐year PRO. Hb‐ACI was associated with better PRO between 1 and 2 years postoperatively; however, the clinical relevance of this benefit is yet to be proven.

Level of Evidence

III, Retrospective comparative study.
Semi‐Supervised Learning Leveraging Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models for the Characterization of Nanophotonic Devices
Authors: Kim Junhyeong , Neseli Berkay , Yoon Jinhyeong , Kim Jae‐Yong , Hong Seokjin , Park Hyo‐Hoon , Kurt Hamza
Published: May 2024

Albeit the recent successful demonstrations of nanophotonic device designs leveraging data‐driven supervised learning methods, several challenges still remain. One of the primary constraints of these methods is their computational cost because they require a massive amount of highly time‐consuming full‐wave electromagnetic simulations. In this study, semi‐supervised learning methods are implemented to avoid this issue. Photonic crystal waveguide devices, which offer interesting light‐matter interactions such as the slow‐light effect and the filtering effect, are employed to validate the methodologies. To utilize unlabeled data within this framework, a novel deep generative model, the denoising diffusion probabilistic model is introduced. Next, a pseudo‐labeling process is introduced to assign synthetic labels to the unlabeled data. The performance of a semi‐supervised learning method is compared with a supervised learning scheme, demonstrating that the performance of the neural network can be enhanced without additional numerical calculations. This method holds extensive potential to elevate the efficiency of designing and characterizing future nanophotonic devices.
Multispectral Polarization States Generation with a Single Metasurface
Authors: Yue Zengqi , Sipahi Tarik , Ahmed Hammad , Ansari Muhammad Afnan , Wang Guanchao , Hou Guanting , Chen Xianzhong , Yang Xibin
Published: May 2024

Polarization state generation plays an important role in optics and are applied in many fields. Multispectral polarization manipulation can increase information capacity. To meet the requirement of miniaturization and integration, it is desirable to generate multispectral polarization states with a compact optical device. a metasurface device is proposed and experimentally demonstrated, which can simultaneously realize wavelength separation and polarization generation. A geometric metasurface is used to realize the phase and wavelength multiplexing. Six polarization states with different wavelengths are generated. Customized polarization states with predesigned wavelength information can add extra degrees of freedom for carrying information, opening a new window for portable polarization optics where low‐cost and miniaturized systems are in high demand.
MarR family proteins sense sulfane sulfur in bacteria
Authors: Xuan Guanhua , Xun Luying , Xia Yongzhen
Published: May 2024

Members of the multiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) protein family are ubiquitous in bacteria and play critical roles in regulating cellular metabolism and antibiotic resistance. MarR family proteins function as repressors, and their interactions with modulators induce the expression of controlled genes. The previously characterized modulators are insufficient to explain the activities of certain MarR family proteins. However, recently, several MarR family proteins have been reported to sense sulfane sulfur, including zero‐valent sulfur, persulfide (R‐SSH), and polysulfide (R‐SnH, n ≥ 2). Sulfane sulfur is a common cellular component in bacteria whose levels vary during bacterial growth. The changing levels of sulfane sulfur affect the expression of many MarR‐controlled genes. Sulfane sulfur reacts with the cysteine thiols of MarR family proteins, causing the formation of protein thiol persulfide, disulfide bonds, and other modifications. Several MarR family proteins that respond to reactive oxygen species (ROS) also sense sulfane sulfur, as both sulfane sulfur and ROS induce the formation of disulfide bonds. This review focused on MarR family proteins that sense sulfane sulfur. However, the sensing mechanisms reviewed here may also apply to other proteins that detect sulfane sulfur, which is emerging as a modulator of gene regulation.
Low‐profile frequency selective surface with quasi‐elliptical bandpass response using antenna‐filter‐antenna approach
Authors: Bai Ruxue , Chen Jianzhong , Wu Lihua , Xu Kai‐Da
Published: May 2024

An antenna‐filter‐antenna (AFA) based frequency selective surface (FSS) with excellent spatial filtering performance is proposed. This FSS design incorporates two back‐to‐back microstrip patch antennas, which not only ensures a high roll‐off rate at the passband edge and excellent flatness within the passband, but also achieves an ultra‐low profile. Significantly, the upper and lower band edges demonstrate a substantial drop from −3 to −10 dB within the 0.006 and 0.02 GHz ranges, respectively, resulting in a sharp roll‐off skirt. Furthermore, the frequency of radiation null can be controlled by manipulating the length of the quarter‐wavelength open‐ended stub, thereby possessing exceptional out‐of‐band suppression. A prototype of the proposed FSS with low profile is fabricated and measured. The simulations and measurements of the AFA‐based FSS show that a quasi‐elliptical bandpass filtering response with superior performance is achieved.
Analysis of natural vibration of truncated conical shells partially filled with fluid
Authors: Bochkarev Sergey A. , Lekomtsev Sergey V.
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we study the vibrational behavior of shells in the form of truncated cones containing an ideal compressible fluid. The sloshing effect on the free surface of the fluid is neglected. The dynamic behavior of the elastic structure is investigated based on the classical shell theory, the constitutive relations of which represent a system of ordinary differential equations written for new unknowns. Small fluid vibrations are described in terms of acoustic approximation using the wave equation for hydrodynamic pressure written in spherical coordinates. Its transformation into the system of ordinary differential equations is carried out by applying the generalized differential quadrature method. The formulated boundary value problem is solved by Godunov's orthogonal sweep method. Natural frequencies of shell vibrations are calculated using the stepwise procedure and the Muller method. The accuracy and reliability of the obtained results are estimated by making a comparison with the known numerical and analytical solutions. The dependencies of the lowest frequency on the fluid level and cone angle of shells under different combinations of boundary conditions (simply supported, rigidly clamped, and cantilevered shells) have been studied comprehensively. For conical straight and inverted shells, a numerical analysis has been performed to estimate the possibility of finding configurations at which the lowest natural frequencies exceed the corresponding values of the equivalent cylindrical shell.
Optimal error estimates of a decoupled finite element scheme for the unsteady inductionless MHD equations
Authors: Zhang Xiaodi , Dong Shitian
Published: May 2024

This article focuses on a new and optimal error analysis of a decoupled finite element scheme for the inductionless magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The method uses the classical inf‐sup stable Mini/Taylor‐Hood (Mini/TH) finite element pairs to appropriate the velocity and pressure, and Raviart–Thomas (RT) face element to discretize the current density spatially, and the semi‐implicit Euler scheme with an additional stabilized term and some delicate implicit–explicit handling for the coupling terms temporally. The method enjoys some impressive features that it is linear, decoupled, unconditional energy stable and charge‐conservative. Due to the errors from the explicit handing of the coupling terms and the existence of the artificial stabilized term, and the contamination of the lower‐order RT face discretization in the error analysis, the existing theoretical results are not unconditional and optimal. By utilizing the anti‐symmetric structure of the coupling terms and the existence of the extra dissipative term, and the negative‐norm estimate for the mixed Poisson projection, we establish the unconditional and optimal error estimates for all the variables. Numerical tests are presented to illustrate our theoretical findings.
C5 Pentacle Structures: A Localization‐Delocalization Matrices Approach
Authors: Pilmé Julien , Spezia Riccardo
Published: May 2024

This article explores the possible presence of a pentacle valence bond structure in C
cyclic molecules. At this end, we have used quantum chemistry tools to elucidate the possible arrangement and the nature of chemical bonds within linear, cyclic, and three‐dimensional structures only formed by five carbon atoms. While the linear structure is clearly the most stable one, local minima were obtained for both bi‐ and three‐dimensional structures. Using the localization‐delocalization matrices approach, we characterize both the minimum linear structure and the cyclic ones. Interestingly, the linear structure is a combination of ionic and covalent bonds, albeit the four distances are almost identical, when using Density Functional Theory. For cyclic C
, the pentacle bonding arrangement emerges as a significant Lewis structure, indicative of an unusual formal configuration characterized by five intersecting C−C bonds. Our calculations show that this pentacle arrangement in cyclic C
scheme is also present in the more known cyclo‐pentadienyl molecule.
Using 3D Printing for Teaching and Outreach
Authors: Parish Daniel
Published: May 2024

The water industry is a valuable and often overlooked asset to a functioning, successful society. Water utilities have dreams and nightmares about the communities they serve touring their treatment plants. To educate and benefit the public, consider using three‐dimensional (3D) printing to create models of water distribution and treatment systems.
Operators Keep Pace With Industry Changes
Authors: Pizzi Nick
Published: May 2024

Water treatment advances bring improved water quality but also difficult choices for water system operators. Over the past 50 years, plant operators have kept pace with these changes to ensure public health.
Take Advantage of Common‐Sense Cybersecurity Practices
Authors: Khattab Ahmed Ibrahim
Published: May 2024

Cybercrime is increasing, and attackers are more organized. Basic cybersecurity practices can significantly reduce a utility's chances of becoming a target.
Effect of cutting flute geometry of orthodontic miniscrew on cortical bone microdamage and primary stability using a human bone analog
Authors: Wijarn Sansanee , Uezono Masayoshi , Takakuda Kazuo , Ogasawara Takeshi , Techalertpaisarn Paiboon , Moriyama Keiji
Published: May 2024

Background

Although orthodontic miniscrews were developed to provide reliable anchorage against orthodontic traction forces, they have pervasive low stability problems. Cutting flute geometry of the screw is considered to be a key factor; however, it has not been fully investigated. Therefore, the objective of our study is to evaluate the effect of cutting flute geometry on cortical bone microdamage.

Materials and methods

Human bone analogs, 1.0 mm thick, were prepared alongside custom‐made Ti6Al4V screws. These screws, with no flutes or modified flute geometries, came in lengths of 1.2, 2.4, and 5.0 mm, each with rake angles of 0° and 20°. Each screw was inserted into a bone sample and removed while measuring the maximum insertion torque (MIT) and the maximum removal torque (MRT). The bone microdamage was evaluated using cross‐sectional surface images of human bone analogs.

Results

MRT was significantly different in all pairwise comparisons among the three flute‐length groups in each rake angle, and the 5.0‐mm‐length groups demonstrated the lowest values. Similar tendencies were found in MIT and the bone microdamage, although significant differences were not observed in all the pairwise comparisons in the flute‐length groups in each rake angle. Interestingly, the two rake angle groups in each flute‐length exhibited significant differences in MIT and the bone microdamage, but not in MRT.

Conclusion

From our investigation using custom‐made screws and human bone analog, cortical bone microdamage is affected by both flute geometries, whereas primary stability is affected by only the flute length.
Why does mobile payment promote purchases? Revisiting the pain of paying, and understanding the implicit pleasure via selective attention
Authors: Ma Qingguo , Tan Yulin , He Yijin , Cheng Lu , Wang Manlin
Published: May 2024

The past years have witnessed a phenomenal growth of the mobile payment market, but how mobile payment affects purchase behavior receives less attention from academics. Recent studies suggested that lower pain of paying may not fully clarify the relationship between mobile payment and increased purchases (i.e., mobile payment effect). The current research first introduced price level in Study 1 and demonstrated that the pain of paying served as an underlying mechanism only in the high‐price condition rather than the low‐price condition. As such, Study 2 was conducted in a low‐price context to address the uncovered mechanisms. We propose a new concept of “pleasure of payment” that is defined as an implicit and consumption‐related hedonic response based on the cue theory of consumption. By tracking spontaneous attention to positive attributes (i.e., benefits) of products, Study 2 demonstrated this implicit pleasure as a psychological mechanism for the mobile payment effect when the pain of paying was not at play. These findings have important implications for mobile payment in research and practice by identifying price level as a boundary condition for the role of pain of paying and understanding the positive downstream consequences of mobile payment usage on consumer psychology.
Mechanically and Electrically Stable Hybrid Aerogels as Free‐Standing Anodes for High‐Capacity Lithium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Park Kyumin , Park Byeongho , Seo Kanghoon , Jang Hyekyeong , Hahm Myung Gwan , Oh Youngseok
Published: May 2024

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising alternative to graphite anodes in battery materials. Therefore, it is critical to scrutinize their structural stability and charge storage capacity during battery operation. Herein, freestanding electrodes consisting of MoS2‐incorporated carbon nanotube aerogels are fabricated using a simple yet scalable hydrothermal method, as used in lithium‐ion batteries. The outer nitrogen‐doped graphitic carbon (NGr) layers support efficient charge transport, even under a substantial compressive environment, and improve the structural integrity, showing significant improvements in battery performance, such as a high rate capacity of 820 mAh g−1 at the current density of 5 A g−1 and 94% capacity retention after 170 cycles (1170 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 170 cycles), even in the absence of polymer binders and conductive additives. The resulting NGr/MoS2/single‐walled carbon nanotubes freestanding electrodes have great potential to increase the volumetric and gravimetric energy density of batteries.
Characterizing diseases using genetic and clinical variables: A data analytics approach
Authors: Gollapalli Madhuri , Anand Harsh , Srinivasan Satish Mahadevan
Published: May 2024

Predictive analytics is crucial in precision medicine for personalized patient care. To aid in precision medicine, this study identifies a subset of genetic and clinical variables that can serve as predictors for classifying diseased tissues/disease types. To achieve this, experiments were performed on diseased tissues obtained from the L1000 dataset to assess differences in the functionality and predictive capabilities of genetic and clinical variables. In this study, the k‐means technique was used for clustering the diseased tissue types, and the multinomial logistic regression (MLR) technique was applied for classifying the diseased tissue types. Dimensionality reduction techniques including principal component analysis and Boruta are used extensively to reduce the dimensionality of genetic and clinical variables. The results showed that landmark genes performed slightly better in clustering diseased tissue types compared to any random set of 978 non‐landmark genes, and the difference is statistically significant. Furthermore, it was evident that both clinical and genetic variables were important in predicting the diseased tissue types. The top three clinical predictors for predicting diseased tissue types were identified as morphology, gender, and age of diagnosis. Additionally, this study explored the possibility of using the latent representations of the clusters of landmark and non‐landmark genes as predictors for an MLR classifier. The classification models built using MLR revealed that landmark genes can serve as a subset of genetic variables and/or as a proxy for clinical variables. This study concludes that combining predictive analytics with dimensionality reduction effectively identifies key predictors in precision medicine, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
The Prospects and Challenges for Ambi‐polar Vacancy‐Ordered Double‐Perovskite Cs2SnI6 Toward Realization of High‐Efficiency Air‐Stable Solar‐Cells
Authors: Anil Kumar Abhirami Eattath , Nair Shantikumar , Thoutam Laxman Raju
Published: May 2024

The rapid advancements in material research for lead‐free inorganic metal halide perovskites have fueled the pathway to design environmentally benign solar‐cells to cater the energy requirements for future generations. The vacancy‐ordered double‐perovskite Cs2SnI6 with an optimum band‐gap (≈1.3 eV), high absorption coefficient (≈105 cm−1), ambi‐polar charge carrier transport, and high structural and compositional stability coupled with simple cost‐effective solution‐based synthesis techniques seems to be an excellent candidate to design air‐stable high‐efficiency solar‐cell‐based applications. The review focusses on the structure–property relationship in Cs2SnI6 and its critical dependency on growth precursors, conditions, and methods. The recent advancements in material and additive engineering to obtain phase‐pure uniform and continuous Cs2SnI6 films and myriad methods to modulate its optoelectronic properties are summarized. The nature, origin, and type of charge‐carriers in intrinsic and doped Cs2SnI6 are extensively discussed. The applications of Cs2SnI6 in different solar‐cell configurations are critically reviewed and its recent progress and challenges to achieve the ultimate theoretical Shockley–Queisser limit of 30–33% is presented. The recent experimental findings on the stability and performance of Cs2SnI6‐based solar‐cells under ambient and controlled conditions would be discussed to highlight its feasibility for the design and development of air‐stable high‐efficiency solar‐cells.
Business environment and adoption of AI: Navigation for internationalization by new ventures in emerging markets
Authors: Moharrak Moayad , Nguyen Nguyen Phong , Mogaji Emmanuel
Published: May 2024

This study explores the intersection of international business and artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on how new ventures navigate environmental challenges for international expansion within Africa's transportation sector. Despite a wealth of literature on AI in developed countries, a notable gap exists in the understanding of the challenges emerging economies face in implementing AI practices, particularly in the context of Africa‐to‐Africa internationalization. The current study delved into the transformative potential of AI, identifying institutional voids as opportunities for innovation on the continent. Employing the Technology Organization and Environment framework, the study investigated the adoption of AI technology in the African business environment. Qualitative data gathered through interviews with transport tech startup founders across Africa provided insights into technological innovation, institutional dynamics, and market peculiarities. The founders recognized hurdles such as data scarcity, human resource constraints, and regulatory obstacles amid institutional voids. The study underscores the importance of understanding expectations, balancing possibilities and realities, and fostering collaboration. It offers valuable insights into the complexities faced by and opportunities for new ventures leveraging AI in internationalization, with practical implications for strategic AI implementation, policy development, market expansion, technology solutions, and cross‐border transportation within Africa's unique business landscape.
Digital twin model of a large scale hot molten metal ladle pouring system
Authors: Popov Ivan , Griffiths Christian A.
Published: May 2024

In steel-making processes, large quantities (frequently exceeding 300 t) of liquid metal are transferred between vessels. In Basic Oxygen Steel (BOS) making process, metal is poured from Hot Metal (HM) ladles, utilising overhead gantry cranes, into furnaces for further processing. Due to the large quantities of liquid metal poured, this operation poses significant safety concerns associated with metal spillage and releases of heat emissions. This can further lead to damage being caused to surrounding infrastructure. Pouring automation can reduce the likelihood of metal spillage, optimising ladle movement for reduction in heat emission releases. Given the hazardous nature of this operation, robust testing and evaluation of automated crane pouring movements is required prior to their application. A digital twin (DT) model of an overhead gantry crane/HM ladle system is presented here, intended to provide a safe testing environment for controlled pouring movement and serve as a testbed for control system design studies. Accurate crane movement is achieved using multi-body dynamics, solving for non-linearities present due to rigid joint frictional components. The flow rate of HM is estimated through the application of a dynamic model, allowing the modelling of system dynamics due to differences in HM pouring weights. The devised DT model is evaluated by simulating real crane movement and making a comparison on the resultant changing HM weight inside the ladle. The devised DT removes the need for construction of a physical model or performing tests directly on the HM pouring system.
A Variational Perspective on Auxetic Metamaterials of Checkerboard-Type
Authors: Düll Wolf-Patrick , Engl Dominik , Kreisbeck Carolin
Published: May 2024

The main result of this work is a homogenization theorem via variational convergence for elastic materials with stiff checkerboard-type heterogeneities under the assumptions of physical growth and non-self-interpenetration. While the obtained energy estimates are rather standard, determining the effective deformation behavior, or in other words, characterizing the weak Sobolev limits of deformation maps whose gradients are locally close to rotations on the stiff components, is the challenging part. To this end, we establish an asymptotic rigidity result, showing that, under suitable scaling assumptions, the attainable macroscopic deformations are affine conformal contractions. This identifies the composite as a mechanical metamaterial with a negative Poisson’s ratio. Our proof strategy is to tackle first an idealized model with full rigidity on the stiff tiles to acquire insight into the mechanics of the model and then transfer the findings and methodology to the model with diverging elastic constants. The latter requires, in particular, a new quantitative geometric rigidity estimate for non-connected squares touching each other at their vertices and a tailored Poincaré type inequality for checkerboard structures.
The relationship between the force applied and perceived by the surgeon during ureteral access sheath placement: ex-vivo experimental model
Authors: Tefik Tzevat , Ergül Rifat Burak , Osther Palle , Giusti Guido , Preminger Glenn M. , Straub Michael , Rassweiler Jens Jochen , Montanari Emanuele , Brehmer Marianne , Seitz Christian , Grasso Michael , Pearle Margaret , Proietti Silvia , Cloutier Jonathan , Gunver MGuven , Nane Ismet , Ozcan Faruk , Traxer Olivier
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To define a peak force of insertion (PFOI) threshold for ureteral damage during ureteral access sheath (UAS) placement on an experimental ureteral orifice model.

Methods

A specially designed water tank using 2 laparoscopic 5 mm ports and 2 different size (10 Fr and 8 Fr) sealing cap adaptors (SCA) as ureteral orifices was used to perform the test. A 10–12 Fr UAS was fixed to a load cell and the force of insertion (FOI) was continuously recorded with a digital force gauge.13 experts in the field of endourology who participated performed 3 UAS insertions. The FOI was recorded initially with 10 Fr followed by 8 Fr SCA. On the final insertion, the orifice was obstructed, leaving a 5 cm length to insert the UAS. The experts were asked to “Stop at the point they anticipate ureteral damage, and they would not proceed in real life”.

Results

Using 10 Fr SCA the PFOI was 2.12 ± 0.58 Newton (N) (range:1.48–3.48) while 8 Fr SCA showed a PFOI 5.76 ± 0.96 N (range:4.05–7.35). Six of the experts, said they would stop proceeding when they reached above 5.1 N. Three experts had PFOI < 5.1 N and the other 4 stated they would go with PFOIs of 5.88, 6.16, 6.69 and 7.35 N when using SCA of 8 Fr.The highest load they would stop proceeding had a PFOI of 6.09 ± 1.87 N (range: 2.53–10.74).

Conclusion

The PFOI threshold for ureteral damage inserting UAS of the experts is variable. Although FOI is a subjective perception, experience suggests that ureteral injury may occur at an average of 6.05 N perceived by surgeons’ tactile feedback. In-vivo measurement of UAS PFOI may confirm a threshold.
The combination of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid prevents postmenopausal osteoporosis by modulating gut microbiota and Th17/Treg
Authors: Zhu Fuping , Liu Hui , Cao Yinsheng , Dai Bing , Wu Hang , Li Wuping
Published: May 2024

Background

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is a chronic condition characterized by decreased bone strength. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of the combination of Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum (Bp) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) on PMO.

Methods

The effects of Bp and 3-HAA on PMO were evaluated in ovariectomized (OVX) rats by assessing stereological parameters, femur microstructure, and autophagy levels. The T helper (Th) 17/Regulatory T (Treg) cells of rats were detected using flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, the impact of Bp and 3-HAA on the gut microbiota of rats was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The correlation between the gut microbiota of rats and Th17/Treg immune factors, as well as femoral stereo parameters, was separately assessed using Spearman rank correlation analysis.

Results

Bp and 3-HAA treatments protected OVX rats by promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting autophagy. Compared to the Sham group, OVX rats showed an increase in Th17 cells and a decrease in Treg cells. Bp and 3-HAA reversed these changes. Enterorhabdus and Pseudomonas were significantly enriched in OVX rats. Bp and 3-HAA regulated the gut microbiota of OVX rats, enriching pathways related to nutrient metabolism and immune function. There was a correlation between the gut microbiota and the Th17/Treg, as well as femoral stereo parameters. The concurrent administration of Bp and 3-HAA medication facilitated the enrichment of gut microbiota associated with the improvement of PMO.

Conclusion

The combination therapy of Bp and 3-HAA can prevent PMO by modulating the gut microbiota and restoring Th17/Treg immune homeostasis.
Language profile of children with cochlear implants: comparative study about the effect of age of cochlear implantation and the duration of rehabilitation
Authors: Farag Heba Mahmoud , Osman Dalia Mostafa , Safwat Rasha Farouk
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The analysis of different language domains and exploration of variables that affect the outcomes of cochlear implantation would help to document the efficacy of cochlear implantation and intervention programs. The aim of this work was to examine the language profile of children with Cochlear Implants (CI) and to assess the effect of age at the time of cochlear implantation and the impact of duration of rehabilitation on the development of linguistic abilities for cochlear implanted children.

Methods

The study was conducted on 46 Arabic speaking children using unilateral CI who are receiving regular post-cochlear auditory and language rehabilitation in the phoniatrics unit, Kasr Alaini hospital. A Proficient Preschooler Language Evaluation (APPEL TOOL) was applied for the assessment of different language domains.

Results

Children who received post implant rehabilitation for ≥ 2 years showed significant improvement in all subtests' scores of APPEL tool than children who received same rehabilitation for ≤ 1 year. There was no significant difference of language scores between children who have received CI before age of 3 years and those who have been implanted after age of 3 years.

Conclusion

This study showed that the language profile of CI children was beneficially affected by the longer duration of therapy post implantation.
From feulgen to modern methods: marking a century of DNA imaging advances
Authors: Lakadamyali Melike
Published: May 2024

The mystery of how human DNA is compactly packaged into a nucleus—a space a hundred thousand times smaller—while still allowing for the regulation of gene function, has long been one of the greatest enigmas in cell biology. This puzzle is gradually being solved, thanks in part to the advent of new technologies. Among these, innovative genome-labeling techniques combined with high-resolution imaging methods have been pivotal. These methods facilitate the visualization of DNA within intact nuclei and have significantly contributed to our current understanding of genome organization. This review will explore various labeling and imaging approaches that are revolutionizing our understanding of the three-dimensional organization of the genome, shedding light on the relationship between its structure and function.
Examining the relationship between genetic polymorphisms (BDKRB2, GNB3, HIF1A, MCT1, NOS3) and endurance athlete status
Authors: İpekoğlu Gökhan , Apaydın Necdet , Çetin Tuğba , Eren Ahsen Nur , Topçu Pelinsu , Yücelsoy Büşra , Civelek Güngör , Sakar Mert
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Genetic factors are important in terms of athletic performance. Recent studies to determine the relationship between the genes that lead to physiological responses have attracted attention. In this respect, this meta-analysis study was designed to examine the relationship between genetic polymorphism (BDKRB2 rs5810761, GNB3 rs5443, HIF1A rs11549565, MCT1 rs1049434, NOS3 rs2070744) and endurance athlete’s status.

Methods

The search included studies published from 2009 to 2022. To determine the relevant studies, Pubmed, Web of Science databases were systematically scanned. Only case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. To determine the relevant studies, Pubmed, Web of Science databases were systematically scanned, and a total of 31 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Relevant data from the included studies were collected and analyzed using a random effects or fixed effects model. The effect size was calculated as the odds ratio or a risk ratio the corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

Results

According to the results of the analysis, BDKRB2 rs5810761 + 9 allele, and NOS3 rs2070744 T allele were significantly more prevalent in endurance athletes (p < 0.05). Genotype distributions of BDKRB2 rs5810761, MCT1 rs1049434, and NOS3 rs2070744 showed significant differences in the dominant model (p < 0.05). However, no significant association was found between endurance athlete status and GNB3 rs5443 and HIF1A rs11549465 polymorphisms.

Conclusion

These results show that some gene polymorphisms play an important role in endurance athlete status and suggest that having a specific genetic basis may also confer a physiological advantage for performance.
Emotional problems across development: examining measurement invariance across childhood, adolescence and early adulthood
Authors: Riglin Lucy , Dennison Charlotte , Martin Joanna , Tseliou Foteini , Armitage Jessica M , Shakeshaft Amy , Heron Jon , Tilling Kate , Thapar Anita , Collishaw Stephan
Published: May 2024

Emotional problems (anxiety, depression) are prevalent in children, adolescents and young adults with varying ages at onset. Studying developmental changes in emotional problems requires repeated assessments using the same or equivalent measures. The parent-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire is commonly used to assess emotional problems in childhood and adolescence, but there is limited research about whether it captures a similar construct across these developmental periods. Our study addressed this by investigating measurement invariance in the scales’ emotional problems subscale (SDQ-EP) across childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Data from two UK population cohorts were utilised: the Millennium Cohort Study (ages 3–17 years) and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (4–25 years). In both samples we observed weak (metric) measurement invariance by age, suggesting that the parent-rated SDQ-EP items contribute to the underlying construct of emotional problems similarly across age. This supports the validity of using the subscale to rank participants on their levels of emotional problems in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. However strong (scalar) measurement invariance was not observed, suggesting that the same score may correspond to different levels of emotional problems across developmental periods. Comparisons of mean parent-rated SDQ-EP scores across age may therefore not be valid.
Using attentional guidance methods in virtual reality laboratories reduces students’ cognitive load and improves their academic performance
Authors: Wen Pingping , Lu Fei , Mohamad Ali Ahmad Zamzuri
Published: May 2024

Learning in virtual reality laboratories (VR labs) has become an important method in experimental teaching but can increase individuals’ cognitive load compared with traditional laboratories. This study analysed the effect of introducing an attentional guidance mechanism into a VR lab on students’ cognitive load and academic performance. We designed and developed two VR labs, one with and one without this attentional guidance stimulus (a 3D yellow arrow). A quasi-experimental design was adopted, and the data obtained were analysed using one-way ANOVA and linear regression. The experiment was conducted with 80 students majoring in digital media art at two universities. The results indicated that the students in the VR lab with the attentional guidance mechanism included exhibited lower cognitive load and higher academic performance than the control group. The regression analyses revealed that cognitive load negatively predicted learning outcomes; that is, academic performance improved as cognitive load decreased. In conclusion, as VR labs are increasingly used in education, supplementing them with attentional guidance stimuli can improve students’ academic performance by reducing their cognitive load.
Greening up the fight against emerging contaminants: algae-based nanoparticles for water remediation
Authors: Premarathna K. S. D. , Lau Sie Yon , Chiong Tung , Show Pau-Loke , Vithanage Meththika , Lam Man Kee
Published: May 2024

Nanoparticles are commonly used for different purposes, including as photocatalysts, biosensors, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer agents. Recently, the synthesis of nanoparticles via biological techniques has become popular due to cost efficiency, sustainability, and the least secondary pollutants generation. Plants, algae, and microorganisms are primarily used to synthesize bio-nanoparticles. Algae-based nanoparticles have gained more attention due to their catalytic activity against emerging organic contaminants such as dyes, phenols, and organosulfur compounds. Nevertheless, a systemic evaluation of the potential of algae-based nanoparticles in environmental remediation is yet to be conducted. This paper reviews recent progress in the biosynthesis of algae-based nanoparticles and the potential use of algae-based nanoparticles in environmental remediation. Furthermore, the review examines the factors that affect the properties and behaviors of algae-based nanoparticles. Additionally, the review briefly discusses other medical and industrial applications as well as advantages over physically and chemically synthesized nanoparticles. Challenges associated with the production process and usage of algae-based nanoparticles are also discussed, including the difficulty of predicting the properties of nanoparticles and adapting to large-scale processes. Overall, algae-based nanoparticles have several advantages, including their high stability and surface activity due to the presence of surface functional groups from algae species used for the synthesis of algae-based nanoparticles. However, further research is required to address the knowledge gaps and potential key research areas.

Graphical Abstract
How to quantify the regional effects of ocean temperature rise due to climate change: implications of Octopus maya ecophysiology on food security of the Yucatan shelf artisanal fishermen
Authors: Escamilla-Aké Ángel , Angeles-Gonzalez Luis Enrique , Kurczyn Alejandro , Caamal-Monsreal Claudia , Rosas Carlos
Published: May 2024

The vital survival, maturation, and reproduction rates of Octopus maya were formulated according to the thermal preferences in each stage (juvenile and adult) and the bottom temperature of the Yucatan shelf projected from different shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs): SSP1-5, to describe the species population growth in shallow waters. The dispersion of each individual in the population and the spread of the offshore population were incorporated with an integrodifference equation. For each SSP, the food security of the artisanal fishermen in the Western, Central, and Eastern Yucatan shelf region was analyzed based on the proposed availability, access, and utilization indices of Octopus maya as food. The analysis was complemented with an average monthly protein and income poverty indicators that this species’ shallow water fishery would have the capacity to supply by the year 2100. Although the proportion of the legally O. maya catchable population may be favored with the gradual increase in temperature in the coming years, this increase may not translate into greater food security for the artisanal fishermen who catch this species in shallow waters. Moreover, this fishery alone may not have the capacity to supply the average annual intake of 10.6 kg of protein per person recommended and maintain fishermen and their families above the income poverty line by 2100.
Effects of equatorial plasma bubble-induced ionospheric gradients on GNSS PPP-RTK
Authors: Tang Long , Zhang Fenkai , Li Pan , Deng Yuanfan , Chen Wu
Published: May 2024

Equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) exerts a severe threat to global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technique. It not only can lead to ionospheric scintillation, but also can create strong plasma gradients in ionosphere. In this study, we investigate the effects of EPB-induced ionospheric gradients on GNSS precise point positioning with real-time kinematic (PPP-RTK) technique for the first time. A common medium-scale EPB event occurred in ionosphere over the southern U.S. on May 28, 2017 is served as a case. The results show, during the period of the EPB event, the interpolated ionospheric residuals are very large with maximum 7.5 TECU without EPB correction while the counterparts are generally below 1 TECU with EPB correction. As for the 3D positions, EPB-induced ionospheric gradients mainly affect the initialization or re-initialization process of PPP-RTK solutions, which significantly increase the estimated errors and lengthen the convergence times. This study can help the GNSS community understand EPB’s impacts on GNSS PPP-RTK more deeply and provide support for its mitigation in the next work.
AI, Law and beyond. A transdisciplinary ecosystem for the future of AI & Law
Authors: Bex Floris J.
Published: May 2024

We live in exciting times for AI and Law: technical developments are moving at a breakneck pace, and at the same time, the call for more robust AI governance and regulation grows stronger. How should we as an AI & Law community navigate these dramatic developments and claims? In this Presidential Address, I present my ideas for a way forward: researching, developing and evaluating real AI systems for the legal field with researchers from AI, Law and beyond. I will demonstrate how we at the Netherlands National Police Lab AI are developing responsible AI by combining insights from different disciplines, and how this connects to the future of our field.
Amyloid β accelerates age-related proteome-wide protein insolubility
Authors: Anderton Edward , Chamoli Manish , Bhaumik Dipa , King Christina D. , Xie Xueshu , Foulger Anna , Andersen Julie K. , Schilling Birgit , Lithgow Gordon J.
Published: May 2024

Loss of proteostasis is a highly conserved feature of aging across model organisms and results in the accumulation of insoluble protein aggregates. Protein insolubility is also a unifying feature of major age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD), in which hundreds of insoluble proteins associate with aggregated amyloid beta (Aβ) in senile plaques. Despite the connection between aging and AD risk, therapeutic approaches to date have overlooked aging-driven generalized protein insolubility as a contributing factor. However, proteins that become insoluble during aging in model organisms are capable of accelerating Aβ aggregation in vitro and lifespan in vivo. Here, using an unbiased proteomics approach, we questioned the relationship between Aβ and age-related protein insolubility. Specifically, we uncovered that Aβ expression drives proteome-wide protein insolubility in C. elegans, even in young animals, and this insoluble proteome is highly similar to the insoluble proteome driven by normal aging, this vulnerable sub-proteome we term the core insoluble proteome (CIP). We show that the CIP is enriched with proteins that modify Aβ toxicity in vivo, suggesting the possibility of a vicious feedforward cycle in the context of AD. Importantly, using human genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we show that the CIP is replete with biological processes implicated not only in neurodegenerative diseases but also across a broad array of chronic, age-related diseases (CARDs). This provides suggestive evidence that age-related loss of proteostasis could play a role in general CARD risk. Finally, we show that the geroprotective, gut-derived metabolite, Urolithin A, relieves Aβ toxicity, supporting its use in clinical trials for dementia and age-related diseases.
A cocktail of rapamycin, acarbose, and phenylbutyrate prevents age-related cognitive decline in mice by targeting multiple aging pathways
Authors: Jiang Zhou , He Qianpei , Wezeman Jackson , Darvas Martin , Ladiges Warren
Published: May 2024

Aging is a primary risk factor for cognitive impairment and exacerbates multiple biological processes in the brain, including but not limited to nutrient sensing, insulin signaling, and histone deacetylation activity. Therefore, a pharmaceutical intervention of aging that targets distinct but overlapping pathways provides a basis for testing combinations of drugs as a cocktail. Our previous study showed that middle-aged mice treated with a cocktail of rapamycin, acarbose, and phenylbutyrate for 3 months had increased resilience to age-related cognitive decline. This finding provided the rationale to investigate the transcriptomic and molecular changes within the brains of mice that received this cocktail treatment or control treatment. Transcriptomic profiles were generated through ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing, and pathway analysis was performed by gene set enrichment analysis to evaluate the overall RNA message effect of the drug cocktail. Molecular endpoints representing aging pathways were measured using immunohistochemistry to further validate the attenuation of brain aging in the hippocampus of mice that received the cocktail treatment, each individual drug or control. Results showed that biological processes that enhance aging were suppressed, with an increased trend of autophagy in the brains of mice given the drug cocktail. The molecular endpoint assessments indicated that treatment with the drug cocktail was overall more effective than any of the individual drugs for relieving cognitive impairment by targeting multiple aging pathways.