bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strong and efficient summertime carbon export driven by aggregation processes in a subarctic coastal ecosystem
Authors: O'Daly Stephanie H. , Hennon Gwenn M. M. , Kelly Thomas B. , Strom Suzanne L. , McDonnell Andrew M. P.
Published: April 2024

Sinking marine particles, one pathway of the biological carbon pump, transports carbon to the deep ocean from the surface, thereby modulating atmospheric carbon dioxide and supplying benthic food. Few in situ measurements exist of sinking particles in the Northern Gulf of Alaska; therefore, regional carbon flux prediction is poorly constrained. In this study, we (1) characterize the strength and efficiency of the biological carbon pump and (2) identify drivers of carbon flux in the Northern Gulf of Alaska. We deployed up to five inline drifting sediment traps in the upper 150 m to simultaneously collect bulk carbon and intact sinking particles in polyacrylamide gels and measured net primary productivity from deck‐board incubations during the summer of 2019. We found high carbon flux magnitude, low attenuation with depth, and high export efficiency. We quantitatively attributed carbon flux between 10 particle types, including various fecal pellet categories, dense detritus, and aggregates using polyacrylamide gels. The contribution of aggregates to total carbon flux (41–93%) and total carbon flux variability (95%) suggest that aggregation processes, not zooplankton repackaging, played a dominant role in carbon export. Furthermore, export efficiency correlated significantly with the proportion of chlorophyll a in the large size fraction (> 20 μm), total aggregate carbon flux, and contribution of aggregates to total carbon flux. These results suggest that this stratified, small‐cell‐dominated ecosystem can have sufficient aggregation to allow for a strong and efficient biological carbon pump. This is the first integrative description of the biological carbon pump in this region.
Miniaturized IPD bandpass filter with controllable transmission zero based on modified lumped T‐section
Authors: Qi Yanzhu , Cao Yazi , Yuan Bo , Chen Shichang , Wang Gaofeng
Published: April 2024

In this letter, a miniaturized bandpass filter (BPF) with controllable transmission zero (TZ) based on one lumped T‐section is proposed. To enhance rejection in the BPF, a modified T‐section circuit is introduced to generate a controllable TZ that can be readily adjusted by the LC values. To validate the performance, the proposed BPF is fabricated using integrated passive device technology on silicon. The measurement results show that the achievable bandwidth covers 2.4–2.5 GHz, with an insertion loss less than 2.6 dB and a measured return loss less than −15 dB. The fabricated BPF has a compact size of 1.3 mm × 0.8 mm (i.e., 0.0113 λ0 × 0.0069 λ0). The simulated and measured results of the BPF are in reasonably good agreement.
A systematic review of combined surgery and brachytherapy approaches for children and young people with relapsed and refractory rhabdomyosarcoma (Local‐REFoRMS)
Authors: Ballantyne Euan , Evans Connor , Shepherd Lucy , Fulbright Helen , Wakeling Sara , Phillips Bob , Morgan Jessica E.
Published: April 2024

Approximately one third of children with rhabdomyosarcoma relapse or have refractory disease. Treatment approaches include a combination of systemic therapies and local therapies, directed at tumour site(s). This review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination of surgery and brachytherapy as local therapy for treating children and young people with relapsed/refractory rhabdomyosarcoma. This review identified studies based on a previous systematic review looking at the treatments for children and young people under 18 years old with relapsed/refractory rhabdomyosarcoma. Studies conducted after 2000 were included. Survival outcomes, relapse rates, adverse events and functional outcomes were extracted. From 16,965 records identified in the baseline systematic review, 205 included the words ‘AMORE’ or ‘brachytherapy’, and were screened for eligibility in this substudy. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria for Local‐REFoRMS, including over 55 relapsed and refractory rhabdomyosarcoma patients. Most studies were retrospective cohort studies conducted within Europe. Most patients had embryonal disease within the head and neck or bladder/prostate regions, and received local therapy for first relapse. Approximately one quarter of patients relapsed following surgery and brachytherapy, with local relapses occurring more than metastatic relapse. Adverse events and functional outcomes were infrequently reported, but related to the site of surgery and brachytherapy. Study quality was limited by inconsistent reporting and potential selection bias. Outcomes following surgery and brachytherapy for a selected group of relapsed and refractory rhabdomyosarcoma show reasonable benefits, but reporting was often unclear and based on small sample sizes.
Using local knowledge to reconstruct climate‐mediated changes in disease dynamics and yield—A case study on Arabica coffee in its native range
Authors: Ayalew Biruk , Hylander Kristoffer , Börjeson Lowe , Adugna Girma , Beche Dinkissa , Zignol Francesco , Tack Ayco J. M.
Published: April 2024

Societal Impact Statement

Adapting agriculture to climate change requires an understanding of the long‐term relationship between climate, disease dynamics, and yield. While some countries have monitored major crop diseases for decades or centuries, comparable data is scarce or non‐existent for many countries that are most vulnerable to climate change. For this, a novel approach was developed to reconstruct climate‐mediated changes in disease dynamics and yield. Here, a case study on Arabica coffee in its area of origin demonstrates how to combine local knowledge, climate data, and spatial field surveys to reconstruct disease and yield time series and to postulate and test hypotheses for climate–disease–yield relationships.

While some countries have monitored crop diseases for several decades or centuries, other countries have very limited historical time series. In such areas, we lack data on long‐term patterns and drivers of disease dynamics, which is important for developing climate‐resilient disease management strategies.

We adopted a novel approach, combining local knowledge, climate data, and spatial field surveys to understand long‐term climate‐mediated changes in disease dynamics in coffee agroforestry systems. For this, we worked with 58 smallholder farmers in southwestern Ethiopia, the area of origin of Arabica coffee.

The majority of farmers perceived an increase in coffee leaf rust and a decrease in coffee berry disease, whereas perceptions of changes in coffee wilt disease and Armillaria root rot were highly variable among farmers. Climate data supported farmers' understanding of the climatic drivers (increased temperature, less rainy days) of these changes. Temporal disease‐climate relationships were matched by spatial disease‐climate relationships, as expected with space‐for‐time substitution.

Understanding long‐term disease dynamics and yield is crucial to adapt disease management to climate change. Our study demonstrates how to combine local knowledge, climate data and spatial field surveys to reconstruct disease time series and postulate hypotheses for disease‐climate relationships in areas where few long‐term time series exist.
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist in preterm infants: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lefevere Julie , van Delft Brenda , Decaluwe Wim , Derriks Frank , Cools Filip
Published: April 2024

To compare the effects of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) with other forms of synchronized artificial ventilation in preterm infants. A systematic review of randomized and quasi‐randomized controlled trials with individual group allocation, both parallel‐group trials as well as crossover trials, that included preterm infants born at less than 37 weeks gestational age and compared NAVA with any other form of synchronized mechanical ventilation with or without volume guarantee. Primary outcomes were death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks, total duration of respiratory support and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years. Secondary outcomes consisted of important procedural and clinical outcomes. Seven studies with a total of 191 infants were included, five randomized crossover trials and two parallel group randomized trials. No significant difference in the primary outcome of death or BPD (RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.33−3.55) was found. Peak inspiratory pressures were significantly lower with NAVA than with other forms of ventilation (MD −1.83 cmH2O [95% CI: −2.95 to −0.71]). No difference in any other clinical or ventilatory outcome was detected. Although associated with lower peak inspiratory pressures, the use of NAVA does not result in a reduced risk of death or BPD as compared to other forms of synchronized ventilation in preterm infants. However, the certainty of evidence is low due to imprecision of the effect estimate. Larger studies are needed to detect possible short‐ and long‐term differences between ventilation modes.
Identification of long noncoding RNAs downregulated specifically in ovarian high‐grade serous carcinoma
Authors: Hayashi‐Okada Maki , Sato Shun , Nakashima Kengo , Sakai Takahiro , Tamehisa Tetsuro , Kajimura Takuya , Tamura Isao , Sueoka Kotaro , Sugino Norihiro
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To investigate whether long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the development or malignant behavior of ovarian high‐grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), we attempted to identify lncRNAs specific to HGSC.

Methods

Total RNAs were isolated from HGSC, normal ovarian, and fallopian tube tissue samples and were subjected to a PCR array that can analyze 84 cancer‐associated lncRNAs. The lncRNAs that were upregulated and downregulated in HGSC in comparison to multiple samples of normal ovary and fallopian tube were validated by real‐time RT‐PCR. To infer the function, ovarian cancer cell lines that overexpress the identified lncRNAs were established, and the activation of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was analyzed.

Results

Eleven lncRNAs (ACTA2‐AS1, ADAMTS9‐AS2, CBR3‐AS1, HAND2‐AS1, IPW, LINC00312, LINC00887, MEG3, NBR2, TSIX, and XIST) were downregulated in HGSC samples. We established the cell lines that overexpress ADAMTS9‐AS2, CBR3‐AS1, or NBR2. In cell lines overexpressing ADAMTS9‐AS2, cell proliferation was suppressed, but migration and invasion were promoted. In cell lines overexpressing CBR3‐AS1 or NBR2, cell migration tended to be promoted, although cell proliferation and invasion were unchanged.

Conclusion

We identified eleven lncRNAs that were specifically downregulated in HGSC. Of these, CBR3‐AS1, NBR2, and ADAMTS9‐AS2 had unique functions in the malignant behaviors of HGSC.
World‐Making Through a Feminist Abolitionist Lens in a STEAM Middle School Program
Authors: Morales Melita , Franklin Mya , Vossoughi Shirin , Carroll Sam , Lansana Onam , Bang Megan , Mayed Sahibzada
Published: April 2024

The maker movement propagated throughout educational spaces alongside promises that technological and design literacies could be harnessed to shape equitable social futures. However, researchers have highlighted the ways makerspaces can reinforce hierarchies of race, gender, and class. This paper builds on research that seeks to support girls' making through broader sociopolitical and ethical commitments. We consider what an everyday pedagogy of feminist abolition looked like in a makerspace, with a focus on how educators responded to emergent social needs within and across gender lines. Our data sources (extensive field notes, audio–video recordings, photographs, and student interviews) are drawn from Hubspace, a 6‐week summer program serving Black, Latine/x, and South Asian middle school youth and grounded in expansive forms of storytelling, coding, engineering, music, writing, and art. In closely analyzing routine forms of educator reflection alongside the design decisions, pedagogical moves and forms of student sense‐making they supported, we found that student and educator sociopolitical learning emerged together to build what became possible in the culture of the space over time. Across three cases, we show how such pedagogies offered lived models and creative languages for practicing restorative and just social relationships. Each of the cases tell the story of different moments when gender became important to the ways participants were working to recognize and desettle received terms of thought and generate alternate forms of thinking, living, and relating, or the making of new stories and worlds.
Policies and legislation enabling sustainable technologies in the public transport infrastructure in NEOM
Authors: Abdelhady Mahmoud Abd elgawwad
Published: April 2024

In the context of rapidly urbanizing cities, integrating sustainable technologies into public transportation systems is important. This study examines the policies and legislative frameworks of NEOM and articulates their impact on the adoption and expansion of sustainable technologies within the public transport domain. The objective is to determine whether these regulatory mechanisms facilitate or impede NEOM's sustainability ambitions. The main finding is that NEOM's current legislative and policy framework presents notable challenges. The commitment to advancing sustainable technologies is clear, tension exists between the rigidity of traditional legislative approaches and the rapidly evolving nature of technological innovation. Our analysis suggests NEOM has considerable potential to reform its policies and measures. Recalibration would ensure compatibility with sustainable practices and drive the city's vision for a sustainable and technologically advanced public transportation system. The study recommendations highlight the need for flexible, innovation‐centric legal frameworks. A more adaptable legislative approach could inform NEOM to leverage sustainable technologies more effectively, ensuring an environmentally responsible public transportation system that serves its expanding user community. Furthermore, this research offers broader implications for other emerging smart cities, underscoring the essential relationship between policy, technology, and sustainability in shaping future‐ready urban transport systems.
Confidence intervals for odds ratio from multistage randomized phase II trials
Authors: Cao Shiwei , Jung Sin‐Ho
Published: April 2024

A multi‐stage randomized trial design can significantly improve efficiency by allowing early termination of the trial when the experimental arm exhibits either low or high efficacy compared to the control arm during the study. However, proper inference methods are necessary because the underlying distribution of the target statistic changes due to the multi‐stage structure. This article focuses on multi‐stage randomized phase II trials with a dichotomous outcome, such as treatment response, and proposes exact conditional confidence intervals for the odds ratio. The usual single‐stage confidence intervals are invalid when used in multi‐stage trials. To address this issue, we propose a linear ordering of all possible outcomes. This ordering is conditioned on the total number of responders in each stage and utilizes the exact conditional distribution function of the outcomes. This approach enables the estimation of an exact confidence interval accounting for the multi‐stage designs.
In Situ Photogenerated Radicals of Hydroxyl Substituted Pyrene‐Based Triphenylamines with Enhanced Transport and Free Doping/Post‐Oxidation for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Xie Zhixin , Wang Rongxin , Xiao Ye , Yan Kai , Zhao Yu , Lin Rui , Redshaw Carl , Min Yonggang , Ouyang Xinhua , Feng Xing
Published: April 2024

The high‐performance hole transporting material (HTM) is one of the most important components for the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in promoting power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, the low conductivity of HTMs and their additional requirements for doping and post‐oxidation greatly limits the device performance. In this work, three novel pyrene‐based derivatives containing methoxy‐substituted triphenylamines units (PyTPA, PyTPA‐OH and PyTPA‐2OH) are designed and synthesized, where different numbers of hydroxyl groups are connected at the 2‐ or 2,7‐positions of the pyrene core. These hydroxyl groups at the 2‐ or 2,7‐positions of pyrene play a significantly role to enhance the intermolecular interactions that are able to generate in situ radicals with the assistance of visible light irradiation, resulting in enhanced hole transferring ability, as well as an enhanced conductivity and suppressed recombination. These pyrene‐core based HTMs exhibit excellent performance in PSCs, which possess a higher PCE than those control devices using the traditional spiro‐OMeTAD as the HTM. The best performance can be found in the devices with PyTPA‐2OH. It has an average PCE of 23.44% (PCEmax = 23.50%), which is the highest PCE among the reported PSCs with the pyrene‐core based HTMs up to date. This research offers a novel avenue to design a dopant‐free HTM by the combination of the pyrene core, methoxy triphenylamines, and hydroxy groups.
Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Carbon–Silicon Steel through Two‐Stage Quenching and Partitioning with Bainitic Transformation: Ultimate Tensile Strength of 1875 MPa and Total Elongation of 8.03%
Authors: Masoumi Mohammad , Centeno Dany , Tressia Gustavo , Loureiro Rodrigo C. P. , Carvalho Felipe M. , Marquez‐Rossy Andres , Poplawsky Jonathan D. , Ariza‐Echeverri Edwan Anderson
Published: April 2024

To achieve the desired microstructural properties, the ongoing development and innovation in new structural steels require novel thermal processing. This study aims to improve the mechanical properties of a commercial spring carbon–silicon steel by tailoring its microstructure through a process involving quenching and partitioning (Q&P) followed by bainitic transformation. A two‐stage Q&P process is proposed to generate a nanoscale dispersion of stable retained austenite and carbides within the tempered martensite and bainite microstructure. The resulting tensile properties demonstrate a yield strength of 1280 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 1875 MPa, and a total elongation of 8.03%. These values surpass those of conventional spring 9254 steel, highlighting the effectiveness of the thermal treatment design. Microstructure analysis reveals the presence of tempered martensite, bainite sheaves, nanoscale carbides, and aggregates of retained austenite. Moreover, the resulting body‐centered cubic matrix exhibits minimal lattice tetragonality of ≈1.0051, coupled with stable retained austenite featuring a carbon concentration of ≈3.42 ± 0.5 wt%, resulting in outstanding strength–ductility properties. These findings indicate that the proposed two‐stage Q&P process, followed by bainitic transformation, significantly enhances the mechanical properties of carbon–silicon steels, making it a promising candidate for high‐performance spring applications.
Effects of Submerged Entry Nozzle Bottom Shape on the Size Distribution of Argon Bubbles in a Steel Continuous Casting Slab Strand Using Multiple‐Size‐Group Approach
Authors: Zhou Haichen , Ji Chenxi , He Wenyuan , Li Haibo , Zhao Changliang , Li Huan , Zhang Congcong , Jia Liubing
Published: April 2024

Herein, the effects of the bottom shape of the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) on the molten steel flow and size distribution of argon bubbles are analyzed in a steel continuous casting slab strand using multiple‐size‐group approach. The type of nozzle bottom includes the well bottom, flat bottom, and mountain bottom. Most of argon bubbles are larger than 4.5 mm inside the SEN and the mold at the three types of nozzles. The frequency distribution of bubbles inside the SEN increases from 28.29% to 32.65% and 35.74% for 5.0–5.5 mm bubbles and decreases from 53.71–50.49% and 47.38% for 5.5–6.0 mm bubbles with the nozzle bottom varied from the flat to mountain and well shape, respectively. The number density of argon bubbles with 4.0–5.5 mm diameter in the mold decreases and increases for 5.5–6.0 mm bubbles with the nozzle bottom varying from the well to flat and mountain shape, respectively. In addition, the results of the industrial trials show that inclusions adhesion and aggregation at the bottom of the nozzle are eliminated using the flat bottom SEN casting. Meanwhile, the mechanism of SEN clogging under the different types of nozzle bottoms is analyzed.
Testing the effect of UHPFRC jacket thickness and steel fiber volume fraction on NSC‐UHPFRC column compressive behavior
Authors: Le Anh‐Thang , Tran Trung‐Hau
Published: April 2024

Several efficient applications of ultrahigh‐performance fiber‐reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Among them are UHPFRC jackets utilized for strengthening or permanent formworks of the steel reinforcing normal strength concrete (NSC) columns since UHPFRC jackets could enhance the compressive strength and other properties of the NSC column. However, the efficiency of a UHPFRC jacket simultaneously depends on its thickness and the added steel fiber volume fraction. The paper aims to explore the interaction effect of UHPFRC jacket thickness and steel fiber volume fraction on the behavior of UHPFRC jackets confining the NSC core under compressive load. The circular ultrahigh performance concrete jacket filled inside with the normal strength concrete, named NSC‐UHPFRC column specimen, is tested under loading on the NSC core. UHPFRC jacket thickness of 18‐49 mm with three adding steel fiber volume fractions was conducted for the experimental study. The investigation and analysis of the effect of the UHPFRC jacket and the steel fiber volume fraction on compression behaviors of NSC‐UHPFRC columns proceeded after the compressive strength test results were validated using Richart's model. This comprised a review of various parameters such as specimen failure pattern, stress–strain relationship, and ductile indices. The Weibull distribution was employed to explain the interaction effect on the variation in the experimental results. Finally, an interaction model was proposed and used to discuss the interaction effect of UHPFRC jacket thickness and steel fiber volume fraction and the optimum condition of the compressive strength of the NSC‐UHPFRC columns.
Elucidating the role of FOS in modulating the immune microenvironment through fibroblast and myeloid cell regulation in locoregional recurrent HNSCC
Authors: Liu Shaokun , Han Boxuan , Wang Ru , Fang Jugao
Published: April 2024

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a significant clinical challenge, particularly due to its high propensity for locoregional recurrence. Current research underscores the need to unravel the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment. This study addresses the critical gap in understanding how FOS modulates the immune landscape in HNSCC, with a focus on its influence on fibroblast and myeloid cell dynamics.

Methods

Employing a comprehensive approach, we analyzed tissue samples from HNSCC patients and adjacent non‐cancerous tissues using bulk RNA sequencing complemented by in‐depth bioinformatics analyses, including gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and immune infiltration assessment. A pivotal aspect of our research involved dissecting single‐cell RNA‐seq data from GSE234933 to elucidate the cell‐type‐specific expression of FOS.

Results

We found that FOS expression varies significantly in different cell populations in the HNSCC tumor microenvironment, especially in fibroblasts and myeloid cells. This expression difference may reflect the different roles of these cells in tumor progression and their impact on the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusion

Our results uncover a significant correlation between FOS expression and key immune and hypoxia‐related pathways, suggesting its integral role in the tumor microenvironment. These findings not only enhance our understanding of HNSCC pathogenesis but also highlight FOS as a potential therapeutic target. This study marks a significant step towards addressing the urgent need for targeted interventions in HNSCC, particularly in the context of locoregional recurrence.
Bridging Literacy Theory with Practice: Differentiated Academic Service Learning Projects with Children's Literature
Authors: Katz Anne
Published: April 2024

This academic service learning initiative enabled teacher education candidates to create research‐based family literacy activities around a diverse selection of children’s books. Each project included a detailed parent or caregiver letter, which provides an overview of the family literacy activity; materials and props; step‐by‐step procedures; prompting questions; ideas for differentiation to meet the needs of varied learning styles; and real‐world extensions. As pre‐service teachers selected from a menu of literacy strategies that fit their individual letter and project design, the concept of differentiation was being actively implemented. Pre‐service teachers reflected on the experience of creating the family literacy project and their future plans for involving families in their students’ literacy learning.
Use of ZIF‐8 as vulcanization additive to optimize natural rubber composites to lower the amount of ZnO
Authors: Yang Yujie , Qiao Xiaodong , Fan Xinpeng , Liao Shuangquan , Sun Zhenfan
Published: April 2024

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is widely used as an activator in the vulcanization process of natural rubber. However, due to its poor compatibility with natural rubber, a large amount of ZnO needs to use, and the unreacted ZnO can precipitate in various ways, posing significant harm to aquatic organisms and microorganisms. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the dosage of ZnO in order to minimize its environmental impact. In this study, we applied ZIF‐8, a zinc‐based metal–organic framework, as a vulcanization additive in natural rubber. and it was found that ZIF‐8 could promote the rubber vulcanization reaction by adsorbing sulfur, promoting sulfur ring‐opening, and providing different ligand interactions of Zn2+. Moreover, even at low usage levels of ZIF‐8, it effectively reduces the amount of ZnO while simultaneously improving the mechanical properties of the samples. This work provides an effective method to reduce the amount of ZnO without sacrificing the rubber properties and provides a new idea for the application of ZIF‐8 in rubber materials.

Highlights

ZIF‐8 enhances properties of natural rubber composites with low ZnO dosages.

Revealing the reason why ZIF‐8 promotes the vulcanization of natural rubber.

Investigation of the effect of ZIF‐8 on the vulcanization properties of natural rubber.
A Logical Treatment of Finite Automata
Authors: Rodrigues Nishant , Sebe Mircea Octavian , Chen Xiaohong , Roşu Grigore
Published: April 2024

We present a sound and complete axiomatization of finite words using matching logic. A unique feature of our axiomatization is that it gives a shallow embedding of regular expressions into matching logic, and a logical representation of finite automata. The semantics of both expressions and automata are precisely captured as matching logic formulae that evaluate to the corresponding language. Regular expressions are matching logic formulae as is, while the embedding of automata is a structural analog—computational aspects of automata are captured as syntactic features. We demonstrate that our axiomatization is sound and complete by showing that runs of Brzozowski’s procedure for equivalence checking correspond to matching logic proofs. We propose this as a general methodology for producing machine-checkable formal proofs, enabled by capturing structural analogs of computational artifacts in logic. The proofs produced can be efficiently checked by the Metamath Zero verifier. Work presented in this paper contributes to the general scheme of achieving verifiable computing via logical methods, where computations are reduced to logical reasoning, encoded as machine-checkable proof objects, and checked by a trusted proof checker.
Happy Ending: An Empty Hexagon in Every Set of 30 Points
Authors: Heule Marijn J. H. , Scheucher Manfred
Published: April 2024

Satisfiability solving has been used to tackle a range of long-standing open math problems in recent years. We add another success by solving a geometry problem that originated a century ago. In the 1930s, Esther Klein’s exploration of unavoidable shapes in planar point sets in general position showed that every set of five points includes four points in convex position. For a long time, it was open if an empty hexagon, i.e., six points in convex position without a point inside, can be avoided. In 2006, Gerken and Nicolás independently proved that the answer is no. We establish the exact bound: Every 30-point set in the plane in general position contains an empty hexagon. Our key contributions include an effective, compact encoding and a search-space partitioning strategy enabling linear-time speedups even when using thousands of cores.
Cosmological correlators in massless ϕ4-theory and the method of regions
Authors: Beneke Martin , Hager Patrick , Sanfilippo Andrea F.
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The calculation of loop corrections to the correlation functions of quantum fields during inflation or in the de Sitter background presents greater challenges than in flat space due to the more complicated form of the mode functions. While in flat space highly sophisticated approaches to Feynman integrals exist, similar tools still remain to be developed for cosmological correlators. However, usually only their late-time limit is of interest. We introduce the method-of-region expansion for cosmological correlators as a tool to extract the late-time limit, and illustrate it with several examples for the interacting, massless, minimally coupled scalar field in de Sitter space. In particular, we consider the in-in correlator 〈ϕ2(η, q)ϕ(η, k1)ϕ(η, k2)〉, whose region structure is relevant to anomalous dimensions and matching coefficients in Soft de Sitter effective theory.
Fracton gauge fields from higher-dimensional gravity
Authors: Peña-Benítez Francisco , Salgado-Rebolledo Patricio
Published: April 2024

Abstract

We show that the fractonic dipole-conserving algebra can be obtained as an Aristotelian (and pseudo-Carrollian) contraction of the Poincaré algebra in one dimension higher. Such contraction allows to obtain fracton electrodynamics from a relativistic higher-dimensional theory upon dimensional reduction. The contraction procedure produces several scenarios including the some of the theories already discussed in the literature. A curved space generalization is given, which is gauge invariant when the Riemann tensor of the background geometry is harmonic.
Phosphorylation of the compartmentalized PKA substrate TAF15 regulates RNA–protein interactions
Authors: Feichtner Andreas , Enzler Florian , Kugler Valentina , Hoppe Katharina , Mair Sophia , Kremser Leopold , Lindner Herbert , Huber Roland G. , Stelzl Ulrich , Stefan Eduard , Torres-Quesada Omar
Published: April 2024

Spatiotemporal-controlled second messengers alter molecular interactions of central signaling nodes for ensuring physiological signal transmission. One prototypical second messenger molecule which modulates kinase signal transmission is the cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The main proteinogenic cellular effectors of cAMP are compartmentalized protein kinase A (PKA) complexes. Their cell-type specific compositions precisely coordinate substrate phosphorylation and proper signal propagation which is indispensable for numerous cell-type specific functions. Here we present evidence that TAF15, which is implicated in the etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, represents a novel nuclear PKA substrate. In cross-linking and immunoprecipitation experiments (iCLIP) we showed that TAF15 phosphorylation alters the binding to target transcripts related to mRNA maturation, splicing and protein-binding related functions. TAF15 appears to be one of multiple PKA substrates that undergo RNA-binding dynamics upon phosphorylation. We observed that the activation of the cAMP-PKA signaling axis caused a change in the composition of a collection of RNA species that interact with TAF15. This observation appears to be a broader principle in the regulation of molecular interactions, as we identified a significant enrichment of RNA-binding proteins within endogenous PKA complexes. We assume that phosphorylation of RNA-binding domains adds another layer of regulation to binary protein-RNAs interactions with consequences to RNA features including binding specificities, localization, abundance and composition.
Two families of values for global cooperative games
Authors: Alonso-Meijide J. M. , Álvarez-Mozos M. , Fiestras-Janeiro M. G. , Jiménez-Losada A.
Published: April 2024

A global (cooperative) game describes the utility that the whole set of players generates depending on the coalition structure they form. These games were introduced by Gilboa and Lehrer (Int J Game Theory 20:129–147, 1991) who proposed and characterized a generalization of the Shapley value. We introduce two families of point valued solutions that contain the Gilboa–Lehrer value. We characterize each family by means of reasonable properties, which are related to the ones used by Gilboa and Lehrer.
Assessing diets of marine fauna associated with emerging zoantharian habitats in the Canary Islands
Authors: Moreno-Borges S. , Arranz V. , Fernández-Martín S. , Clemente S. , Xavier R. , Vasconcelos R.
Published: April 2024

Population outbreaks of zoantharians in shallow water reefs have been observed globally, including intertidal and subtidal sites in the Canary Islands. This study investigated how zoantharians might be integrating into the local trophic network. For that purpose, we assessed the feeding patterns of common species in zoantharian-dominated habitats, focusing on finding consumers of Zoanthus pulchellus and Palythoa caribaeorum. Through DNA-barcoding and metabarcoding, the gut contents of 11 predatory species were analysed, aiming to characterize their diets and explore local species feeding on zoantharians. Analyses of diet revealed a diverse range of food items and trophic positions of some of the most common and frequent marine species in the archipelago. Furthermore, based on previous observations on the different impacts of Z. pulchellus and P. caribaeorum on shallow benthic ecosystems of the Canary Islands, a preliminary approach to identify their potential influence on feeding patterns of associated species was made. Even though DNA-metabarcoding did not detect zoantharians in the gut contents of any studied species, Sanger sequencing with zoantharian-specific primers indicated their consumption by subject species may be limited to only the crab Platypodiella picta. In addition, by focusing on some of the most common species, this study enhances our understanding of the local trophic network and provides an insight into trophic dynamics in zoantharian-dominated habitats.
Local habitat heterogeneity rivals regional differences in coral thermal tolerance
Authors: Brown Kristen T. , Martynek Marcelina P. , Barott Katie L.
Published: April 2024

Variable temperature regimes that expose corals to sublethal heat stress have been recognized as a mechanism to increase coral thermal tolerance and lessen coral bleaching. However, there is a need to better understand which thermal regimes maximize coral stress hardening. Here, standardized thermal stress assays were used to determine the relative thermal tolerance of three divergent genera of corals (Acropora, Pocillopora, Porites) originating from six reef sites representing an increasing gradient of annual mean diel temperature fluctuations of 1–3 °C day−1. Bleaching severity and dark-acclimated photochemical yield (i.e., Fv/Fm) were quantified following exposure to five temperature treatments ranging from 23.0 to 36.3 °C. The greatest thermal tolerance (i.e., Fv/Fm effective dose 50) was found at the site with intermediate mean diel temperature variability (2.2 °C day−1), suggesting there is an optimal priming exposure that leads to maximal thermal tolerance. Interestingly, Acropora and Pocillopora originating from the least thermally variable regimes (< 1.3 °C day−1) had lower thermal tolerance than corals from the most variable sites (> 2.8 °C day−1), whereas the opposite was true for Porites, suggesting divergent responses across taxa. Remarkably, comparisons across global studies revealed that the range in coral thermal tolerance uncovered in this study across a single reef (< 5 km) were as large as differences observed across vast latitudinal gradients (300–900 km). This finding indicates that local gene flow could improve thermal tolerance between habitats. However, as climate change continues, exposure to intensifying marine heatwaves is already compromising thermal priming as a mechanism to enhance coral thermal tolerance and bleaching resistance.
Characterization of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) as a biomarker of reactive astrogliosis in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Authors: Jaisa-aad Methasit , Muñoz-Castro Clara , Healey Molly A. , Hyman Bradley T. , Serrano-Pozo Alberto
Published: April 2024

Reactive astrogliosis accompanies the two neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles—and parallels neurodegeneration in AD and AD-related dementias (ADRD). Thus, there is growing interest in developing imaging and fluid biomarkers of reactive astrogliosis for AD/ADRD diagnosis and prognostication. Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) is emerging as a target for PET imaging radiotracers of reactive astrogliosis. However, a thorough characterization of MAO-B expression in postmortem control and AD/ADRD brains is lacking. We sought to: (1) identify the primary cell type(s) expressing MAO-B in control and AD brains; (2) quantify MAO-B immunoreactivity in multiple brain regions of control and AD donors as a proxy for PET radiotracer uptake; (3) correlate MAO-B level with local AD neuropathological changes, reactive glia, and cortical atrophy; (4) determine whether the MAOB rs1799836 SNP genotype impacts MAO-B expression level; (5) compare MAO-B immunoreactivity across AD/ADRD, including Lewy body diseases (LBD) and frontotemporal lobar degenerations with tau (FTLD-Tau) and TDP-43 (FTLD-TDP). We found that MAO-B is mainly expressed by subpial and perivascular cortical astrocytes as well as by fibrous white matter astrocytes in control brains, whereas in AD brains, MAO-B is significantly upregulated by both cortical reactive astrocytes and white matter astrocytes across temporal, frontal, and occipital lobes. By contrast, MAO-B expression level was unchanged and lowest in cerebellum. Cortical MAO-B expression was independently associated with cortical atrophy and local measures of reactive astrocytes and microglia, and significantly increased in reactive astrocytes surrounding Thioflavin-S+ dense-core Aβ plaques. MAO-B expression was not affected by the MAOB rs1799836 SNP genotype. MAO-B expression was also significantly increased in the frontal cortex and white matter of donors with corticobasal degeneration, Pick’s disease, and FTLD-TDP, but not in LBD or progressive supranuclear palsy. These findings support ongoing efforts to develop MAO-B-based PET radiotracers to image reactive astrogliosis in AD/ADRD.
Pregnancy effect on disease activity in women with multiple sclerosis treated with cladribine
Authors: Signoriello E. , Foschi M. , Lanzillo R. , Frau J. , Cocco E. , Borriello G. , Ianniello A. , Trotta M. , Landi D. , Maniscalco G. T. , Ruscica F. , Toscano S. , Patti F. , Zanghì A. , D’Amico E. , Fantozzi R. , Centonze D. , Lus G. , Bonavita S.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Cladribine is an oral immune reconstitution therapy for relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). Hormonal and immune changes are responsible for the decline of disease activity in the third trimester of pregnancy and disease reactivation in the early post-partum period.We investigate the impact of pregnancy on disease activity in women with MS who conceived after cladribine treatment.

Methods

We recruited women of childbearing age with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) who became pregnant or not after being treated with cladribine. For both groups, demographic, clinical and radiological data were collected 1 year before and after treatment during a mean follow-up of 3.53 years. We compared disease activity over time between groups using variance analysis for repeated measures.

Results

48 childbearing women were included. 25 women had a pregnancy after a mean of 1.75 years from the first treatment cycle. Women with or without pregnancy did not differ in demographics or pre-cladribine disease activity. No significant differences in disease activity or EDSS worsening were found between women with or without pregnancy.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that pregnancy does not appear to influence disease activity and disability in women previously treated with cladribine; further studies with larger numbers and longer follow-up are needed to confirm this finding.
Hyalocytes—guardians of the vitreoretinal interface
Authors: Lange Clemens , Boneva Stefaniya , Wieghofer Peter , Sebag J.
Published: April 2024

Originally discovered in the nineteenth century, hyalocytes are the resident macrophage cell population in the vitreous body. Despite this, a comprehensive understanding of their precise function and immunological significance has only recently emerged. In this article, we summarize recent in-depth investigations deciphering the critical role of hyalocytes in various aspects of vitreous physiology, such as the molecular biology and functions of hyalocytes during development, adult homeostasis, and disease. Hyalocytes are involved in fetal vitreous development, hyaloid vasculature regression, surveillance and metabolism of the vitreoretinal interface, synthesis and breakdown of vitreous components, and maintenance of vitreous transparency. While sharing certain resemblances with other myeloid cell populations such as retinal microglia, hyalocytes possess a distinct molecular signature and exhibit a gene expression profile tailored to the specific needs of their host tissue. In addition to inflammatory eye diseases such as uveitis, hyalocytes play important roles in conditions characterized by anomalous posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and vitreoschisis. These can be hypercellular tractional vitreo-retinopathies, such as macular pucker, proliferative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR), and proliferative diabetic vitreo-retinopathy (PDVR), as well as paucicellular disorders such as vitreo-macular traction syndrome and macular holes. Notably, hyalocytes assume a significant role in the early pathophysiology of these disorders by promoting cell migration and proliferation, as well as subsequent membrane contraction, and vitreoretinal traction. Thus, early intervention targeting hyalocytes could potentially mitigate disease progression and prevent the development of proliferative vitreoretinal disorders altogether, by eliminating the involvement of vitreous and hyalocytes.
Caffeine ingestion compromises thermoregulation and does not improve cycling time to exhaustion in the heat amongst males
Authors: John Kevin , Kathuria Sayyam , Peel Jenny , Page Joe , Aitkenhead Robyn , Felstead Aimee , Heffernan Shane M. , Jeffries Owen , Tallent Jamie , Waldron Mark
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Caffeine is a commonly used ergogenic aid for endurance events; however, its efficacy and safety have been questioned in hot environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute caffeine supplementation on cycling time to exhaustion and thermoregulation in the heat.

Methods

In a double-blind, randomised, cross-over trial, 12 healthy caffeine-habituated and unacclimatised males cycled to exhaustion in the heat (35 °C, 40% RH) at an intensity associated with the thermoneutral gas exchange threshold, on two separate occasions, 60 min after ingesting caffeine (5 mg/kg) or placebo (5 mg/kg).

Results

There was no effect of caffeine supplementation on cycling time to exhaustion (TTE) (caffeine; 28.5 ± 8.3 min vs. placebo; 29.9 ± 8.8 min, P = 0.251). Caffeine increased pulmonary oxygen uptake by 7.4% (P = 0.003), heat production by 7.9% (P = 0.004), whole-body sweat rate (WBSR) by 21% (P = 0.008), evaporative heat transfer by 16.5% (P = 0.006) and decreased estimated skin blood flow by 14.1% (P < 0.001) compared to placebo. Core temperature was higher by 0.6% (P = 0.013) but thermal comfort decreased by − 18.3% (P = 0.040), in the caffeine condition, with no changes in rate of perceived exertion (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The greater heat production and storage, as indicated by a sustained increase in core temperature, corroborate previous research showing a thermogenic effect of caffeine ingestion. When exercising at the pre-determined gas exchange threshold in the heat, 5 mg/kg of caffeine did not provide a performance benefit and increased the thermal strain of participants.
Is there evidence for the asymmetrical transfer of strength to an untrained limb?
Authors: Wong Vickie , Song Jun Seob , Yamada Yujiro , Kataoka Ryo , Hammert William B. , Spitz Robert W. , Loenneke Jeremy P.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The literature predominantly addresses cross-education of strength in the dominant limb rather than the non-dominant limb, guided by the hypothesis of an asymmetrical transfer of strength from unilateral training protocols. The purpose of the study was to review the literature and determine how much evidence was available to support this claim. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the magnitude of this hypothesized asymmetrical transfer of strength.

Methods

A literature search of all possible records was implemented using Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Scopus from February 2022 to May 2022. Comparison of randomized controlled trials was computed. The change scores and standard deviations of those change scores were extracted for each group. Only three studies met the criteria, from which a total of five effect sizes were extracted and further analyzed.

Results

The overall effect of resistance training of the dominant limb on strength transfer to the non-dominant limb relative to the effects of resistance training the non-dominant limb on strength transfer to the dominant (non-training) limb was 0.46 (SE 0.42). The analysis from this study resulted in minimal support for the asymmetry hypothesis. Given the small number of studies available, we provide the effect but note that the estimate is unlikely to be stable.

Conclusion

Although it is repeatedly stated that there is an asymmetrical transfer of strength, our results find little support for that claim. This is not to say that it does not exist, but additional research implementing a control group and a direct comparison between limbs is needed to better understand this question.