bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLOBAL STABILITY AND OPTIMAL CONTROL ANALYSIS OF COVID-19 TRANSMISSION
Authors: GOSWAMI NABA KUMAR , ATHITHAN S.
Published: November 2024

The coronavirus disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is currently a global health crisis, creating an unprecedented socio-economic catastrophe. This pandemic is the biggest challenge the world has faced since World War II and represents a major turning point in the history of humanity. Restriction measures can shift citizens’ attention toward emerging infectious diseases and, consequently, alter individual behaviors and attitudes. This study proposes and analyzes a six-compartmental mathematical model to investigate different restriction measures for COVID-19. The threshold condition, [Formula: see text], for the initial transmission of infection is derived using the next-generation approach. A global stability analysis of the proposed model is conducted in terms of the basic reproduction number. Sensitivity analysis of the reproduction number is visualized, identifying the most sensitive parameters that influence [Formula: see text] and thereby regulate the transmission dynamics of coronavirus diseases. Our outcomes suggest that with proper management of quarantine and medical care, disease prevalence can be reduced. Additionally, the outcomes of the deterministic models are compared using numerical simulations. Curve fitting to real data using the least-square method is employed to estimate the model’s key parameters. Furthermore, we extended the model to include an optimal control approach, which is analyzed by using Pontryagin’s maximum principle.
ENHANCING PEPPER LEAF DISEASE DETECTION USING DEEP TRANSFER LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN KSA
Authors: ALAZWARI SANA , ZANIN SAMAH AL , ALJABRI JAWHARA , ALNEIL AMANI A.
Published: November 2024

Sustainable agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) intends to develop farming practices that maintain productivity while promoting economic viability and preserving environmental resources. Moreover, the country invests in advanced technologies, which include vertical farming and hydroponics, to reduce environmental impact and enhance food security. Globally, the pepper crop is one of the leading agricultural products of human food security. However, it is vulnerable to various diseases such as gray leaf spots, powdery mildew symptoms on pepper leaf, blight leaf disease, common rust, fruit rot disease, etc. Usually, farmers identify the disease through visual inspection; however, this has its drawbacks as it is generally time-consuming and inaccurate. Several research workers have previously presented different pepper plant disease classification techniques, mainly deep learning (DL) and image processing approaches. This paper introduces a novel Pepper Leaf Disease Detection using the Optimal Deep Transfer Learning (PLDD-ODTL) technique for the sustainable agricultural sector in KSA. As a preliminary preprocessing stage, the PLDD-ODTL technique initially utilizes an adaptive window filtering (AWF) approach to eliminate the noise in the plant images. Next, the PLDD-ODTL approach involves a feature fusion process comprising three DL approaches: residual neural network (ResNet), VGG-19, and DenseNet models. To enhance the performance of the DL techniques in biological systems modeling, the hyperparameter selection process is done by a hybrid artificial ecosystem fractal optimizer using a chaos game optimization (ACGO) technique. Finally, a deep belief network (DBN) is applied to classify the disease. A series of experiments were conducted to illustrate the enhanced performance of the PLDD-ODTL technique. The experimental results of the PLDD-ODTL technique portrayed a superior accuracy outcome of 99.71% over existing approaches.
Controlling formal fibers of countably many principal prime ideals
Authors: Baron David , Eltigani Ammar , Loepp S. , Perez AnaMaria , Teplitskiy M.
Published: November 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a complete local (Noetherian) ring. For each [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be a nonempty countable set of nonmaximal, pairwise incomparable prime ideals of [Formula: see text], and suppose that if [Formula: see text], then either [Formula: see text] or no element of [Formula: see text] is contained in an element of [Formula: see text]. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for [Formula: see text] to be the completion of a local integral domain [Formula: see text] satisfying the condition that, for all [Formula: see text], there is a nonzero prime element [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is exactly the set of maximal elements of the formal fiber of [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. We then prove related results where the domain [Formula: see text] is required to be countable and/or excellent.
Weak 1D and D1 inverses
Authors: Mosić Dijana , Zhu Huihui
Published: November 2024

Our aim is to consider extensions of the systems for defining the 1D, D1, weak MPD and weak DMP inverses using an inner inverse, a minimal rank weak Drazin inverse and a minimal rank right weak Drazin inverse. As unique solutions of new extended systems, we introduce weak 1D and D1 inverses as wider classes of generalized inverses which contain the 1D, D1, inner-CEP, 1WG and inner-[Formula: see text]-WG inverses. We establish characterizations and formulae for weak 1D and D1 inverses. Applying the weak 1D and D1 inverses, solvability of some linear equations is proved. Consequently, a basic result about application of inner inverses for solving linear equations is obtained.
Equipping with Human Cognition: Driver Intention Recognition with Multimodal Information Fusion
Authors: Zhang Bo , Hou Xiaohui , Wu Wei , Gan Minggang
Published: November 2024

To address the issue of autonomous driving systems’ inability to timely detect danger and respond in urban environments, an intention recognition system integrating driver cognitive information was developed. By utilizing the drivers’ electroencephalogram (EEG), eye movement and operational data, the system identifies driver intentions in a type of hazardous scenario. Initially, a driver-in-the-loop simulation platform was used for data collection, followed by experiments and data preprocessing to create a multimodal fused dataset through feature-level fusion. Models based on multilayer perceptron (MLP), convolutional neural network (CNN) and transformer were then developed to predict emergency braking and steering evasion intentions. The transformer-based model, with multimodal data fusion, achieved the best performance with an accuracy of 93.02%, significantly surpassing EEG-only (80.80%) and eye movement and operational data-only models (78.46%). This highlights the transformer’s superior ability to capture complex spatiotemporal correlations in multimodal data. Additionally, pre-extracted EEG frequency domain features could improve model performance, though less significantly than changes in model architecture. Embedding this system into autonomous driving systems is expected to enhance their ability to quickly and accurately recognize and respond to dangerous scenarios.
Performance of Airfoil Plunging Using Sinusoidal Waves Superposition
Authors: El-Salamony Mostafa
Published: November 2024

This paper aims to study the aerodynamic and propulsive performance of a plunging airfoil using novel plunging waveform, that creates additional trailing edge vortices, that affects the flow field and, consequently, the aerodynamic loads on the airfoil. This waveform is generated by means of superpositioning of the regular sinusoidal wave with a faster one. This novel waveform not only allows to add another pair of trailing edge vortices but also to control their strength. It is found that as the weight of the faster wave increases, the thrust coefficient increases rapidly while the propulsive efficiency decreases slowly, allowing a window of high thrust with small efficiency reduction. Understanding the effect of generating additional trailing edge vortices within the regular flapping cycle on the propulsive performance is the main objective of this work.
Unwanted Surprises
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: November 2024

When that joke of an API is on you.
Automating TODO-missed Methods Detection and Patching
Authors: Gao Zhipeng , Su Yanqi , Hu Xing , Xia Xin
Published: November 2024

TODO comments are widely used by developers to remind themselves or others about incomplete tasks. In other words, TODO comments are usually associated with temporary or suboptimal solutions. In practice, all the equivalent suboptimal implementations should be updated (e.g., adding TODOs) simultaneously. However, due to various reasons (e.g., time constraints or carelessness), developers may forget or even are unaware of adding TODO comments to all necessary places, which results in the
TODO-missed methods
. These “hidden” suboptimal implementations in
TODO-missed methods
may hurt the software quality and maintainability in the long-term. Therefore, in this article, we propose the novel task of
TODO-missed methods
detection and patching and develop a novel model, namely
T
O
D
O-comment
Patcher
(
TDPatcher
), to automatically patch TODO comments to the
TODO-missed methods
in software projects. Our model has two main stages: offline learning and online inference. During the offline learning stage,
TDPatcher
employs the GraphCodeBERT and contrastive learning for encoding the TODO comment (natural language) and its suboptimal implementation (code fragment) into vector representations. For the online inference stage, we can identify the
TODO-missed methods
and further determine their patching position by leveraging the offline trained model. We built our dataset by collecting
TODO-introduced methods
from the top-10,000 Python GitHub repositories and evaluated
TDPatcher
on them. Extensive experimental results show the promising performance of our model over a set of benchmarks. We further conduct an in-the-wild evaluation that successfully detects 26
TODO-missed methods
from 50 GitHub repositories.
Prototyping with Uncertainties: Data, Algorithms, and Research through Design
Authors: Giaccardi Elisa , Murray-Rust Dave , Redström Johan , Caramiaux Baptiste
Published: November 2024

Seen both as a resource and an obstacle to clarity, uncertainty is a concept that permeates many areas of design. As the concept gains prominence in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), this special issue specifically explores the interplay between uncertainty and prototyping in Research through Design (RtD). We first outline three histories of uncertainty in design, in relation to its philosophical significance, its role in statistical and algorithmic processes, and its importance in prototyping. The convergence of these aspects is crucial as design evolves toward more agentive and entangled systems, introducing challenges such as Design as a Probabilistic Outcome. We then investigate the design spaces for engaging with “being uncertain” that emerge from the papers: from nuancing the relationship between designers and quantitative data to blurring the line between humans, fungi, and algorithms. Finally, we illuminate some preliminary threads for how RtD can navigate and engage with these shifting technological and design landscapes thoughtfully.
Edge Manipulations for the Maximum Vertex-Weighted Bipartite
b
-matching
Authors: Auricchio Gennaro , Liu Jun , Ma Qun , Zhang Jie
Published: November 2024

In this article, we explore the Mechanism Design aspects of the Maximum Vertex-Weighted

\(b\)

-matching (MVbM) problem on bipartite graphs

\((A\cup T,E)\)

. The set

\(A\)

comprises agents, while

\(T\)

represents tasks. The set

\(E\)

, which connects

\(A\)

and

\(T\)

, is the private information of either agents or tasks. In this framework, we investigate three mechanisms—

\(\mathbb{M}_{BFS}\)

,

\(\mathbb{M}_{DFS}\)

, and

\(\mathbb{M}_{G}\)

. We examine scenarios in which either agents or tasks are strategic and report their adjacent edges to one of the three mechanisms. In both cases, we assume that the strategic entities are bounded by their statements: They can hide edges, but they cannot report edges that do not exist. First, we consider the case in which agents can manipulate. In this framework,

\(\mathbb{M}_{BFS}\)

and

\(\mathbb{M}_{DFS}\)

are optimal but not truthful. By characterizing the Nash Equilibria induced by

\(\mathbb{M}_{BFS}\)

and

\(\mathbb{M}_{DFS}\)

, we reveal that both mechanisms have a Price of Anarchy (

\(PoA\)

) and Price of Stability (

\(PoS\)

) of

\(2\)

. These efficiency guarantees are tight; no deterministic mechanism can achieve a lower

\(PoA\)

or

\(PoS\)

. In contrast, the third mechanism,

\(\mathbb{M}_{G}\)

, is not optimal, but truthful and its approximation ratio is

\(2\)

. We demonstrate that this ratio is optimal; no deterministic and truthful mechanism can outperform it. We then shift our focus to scenarios where tasks can exhibit strategic behavior. In this case,

\(\mathbb{M}_{BFS}\)

,

\(\mathbb{M}_{DFS}\)

, and

\(\mathbb{M}_{G}\)

all maintain truthfulness, making

\(\mathbb{M}_{BFS}\)

and

\(\mathbb{M}_{DFS}\)

truthful and optimal mechanisms. In conclusion, we investigate the manipulability of

\(\mathbb{M}_{BFS}\)

and

\(\mathbb{M}_{DFS}\)

through experiments on randomly generated graphs. We observe that (i)

\(\mathbb{M}_{BFS}\)

is less prone to be manipulated by the first agent than

\(\mathbb{M}_{DFS}\)

, and (ii)

\(\mathbb{M}_{BFS}\)

is more manipulable on instances in which the total capacity of the agents is equal to the number of tasks.

1
DREAM: Debugging and Repairing AutoML Pipelines
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhai Juan , Ma Shiqing , Guan Xiaohong , Shen Chao
Published: November 2024

Deep Learning models have become an integrated component of modern software systems. In response to the challenge of model design, researchers proposed Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) systems, which automatically search for model architecture and hyperparameters for a given task. Like other software systems, existing AutoML systems have shortcomings in their design. We identify two common and severe shortcomings in AutoML,
performance issue
(i.e., searching for the desired model takes an unreasonably long time) and
ineffective search issue
(i.e., AutoML systems are not able to find an accurate enough model). After analyzing the workflow of AutoML, we observe that existing AutoML systems overlook potential opportunities in search space, search method, and search feedback, which results in performance and ineffective search issues. Based on our analysis, we design and implement DREAM, an automatic and general-purpose tool to alleviate and repair the shortcomings of AutoML pipelines and conduct effective model searches for diverse tasks. It monitors the process of AutoML to collect detailed feedback and automatically repairs shortcomings by expanding search space and leveraging a feedback-driven search strategy. Our evaluation results show that DREAM can be applied on two state-of-the-art AutoML pipelines and effectively and efficiently repair their shortcomings.
Bridging the Privacy Gap: Analyzing Nigerian Disclosure Behaviors and Developing Culturally Relevant Interventions
Authors: Yisa Victor , Orji Rita
Published: November 2024

The proliferation of the internet has significantly increased social media usage in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where over 163 million users engage in diverse activities. However, existing privacy and security studies and solutions are primarily tailored for Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) countries, leaving Nigerian users underserved. This paper examines Nigerian privacy and disclosure behavior across various domains using the privacy calculus framework to develop effective, relatable, and applicable interventions. Three studies are described: one on financial applications, another on social media birthday disclosures, and a third on intimate contexts such as sexting. The findings will inform the development of gamified, culturally relevant privacy education tools aimed at enhancing privacy awareness and behavior among Nigerians.
SCIseg: Automatic Segmentation of Intramedullary Lesions in Spinal Cord Injury on T2-weighted MRI Scans
Authors: Naga Karthik Enamundram , Valošek Jan , Smith Andrew C. , Pfyffer Dario , Schading-Sassenhausen Simon , Farner Lynn , Weber Kenneth A. , Freund Patrick , Cohen-Adad Julien
Published: November 2024

The proposed deep learning model accurately segmented the spinal cord and spinal cord injury lesions in a diverse, multicenter dataset of T2-weighted MRI scans.
Combining Biology-based and MRI Data-driven Modeling to Predict Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Stowers Casey E. , Wu Chengyue , Xu Zhan , Kumar Sidharth , Yam Clinton , Son Jong Bum , Ma Jingfei , Tamir Jonathan I. , Rauch Gaiane M. , Yankeelov Thomas E.
Published: November 2024

A convolutional neural network combined with a biology-based mathematical model showed good performance in predicting the triple-negative breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using only pretreatment MRI data.
Radiation Shielding Properties of B2O3-ZnO-BaO-TiO2-Bi2O3 Glass System: A Study on Eu-152 Radiation
Authors: Alrowaily Albandari W. , Almuqrin Aljawhara H. , Sayyed M. I. , Albarzan B.
Published: November 2024

The focus of this investigation is the evaluation of the B₂O₃-ZnO-BaO-TiO₂-Bi₂O₃ glasses’ radiation shielding properties within the 0.122–0.867 MeV energy range. A 0.75 cm thickness glass’s radiation protection efficiency (RPE) was evaluated, revealing that the higher Bi₂O₃ content glass exhibits superior RPE compared to the other samples. The RPE of the glasses at 0.245 MeV are equal to 73 and 83% for the 18 and 30 Bi2O3 mol % glasses, respectively. The transmission factor (TF) results demonstrated that increased glass thickness leads to a reduction in TF values, leading to higher attenuation. The TF values at 0.296 MeV are 40, 22, and 14% for 0.75, 1.25 and 1.6 cm thickness, respectively. It was revealed that the higher Bi2O3 content glass has the lowest TF values. The TF values at 0.245 MeV are 27, 23, 19 and 17% for the 18, 22, 26, and 30 Bi2O3 mol % samples, respectively. At 0.245 MeV, the effective atomic number values are 40.32, 42.45, 48.58, and 48.81 for the 16, 22, 26, and 30 Bi2O3 mol % samples, respectively,
HTTPSmell: A Deep Learning Approach on Malicious HTTP Traffic Detection via Data Augmentation and Label Refactoring
Authors: Chen Tieming , Qiu Xuebo , Weng Zhengqiu , Zhu Tiantian , Lv Mingqi , Sun Keda
Published: November 2024

Anomaly detection is essential to ensuring system security and reliability. As one of the basic techniques in the cyberattack, the existing malicious traffic classification method has been facing diverse challenges such as insufficient samples, poor denoising ability, and weak generalization of the classification model. In this paper, we propose a novel method for detecting malicious HTTP traffic based on a framework (HTTPSmell; it refers to the sniffing of some network attacks launched by exploiting the HTTP protocol.)), and XSS dataset obtained from GitHub that automatically applies a deep learning model with high generalization ability even under a small training dataset. With HTTPSmell, we are able to achieve positive results from a semisupervised model that leverages the unsupervised data augmentation (UDA) and the keywords library avoidance (KLA)‐based data augmentation method that holds higher learning generalization, higher scenario coverage rate, and better detection efficiency in the smaller training samples. Finally, we demonstrate through comprehensive experiments in the realistic enterprise environment that HTTPSmell can achieve an accuracy of 96.77% for identifying complex and advanced cyberattacks, while only maintaining a constant 60 MB of memory and sustaining up to 27 k/s throughput.
Existence and Uniqueness of a Solution for a Four‐Stage Age‐Structured Population Dynamics Model With Spatial Diffusion for Desert Locusts
Authors: Nestor Ramdé , Amidou Traoré , Yacouba Simporé , Ousseynou Nakoulima
Published: November 2024

We consider a linear system based on a population dynamics model dependent on age, space and nonlocal boundary conditions. Note that our population dynamics model is a four‐step model with a second derivative with respect to the age variable and a second derivative with respect to the space variable. Population growth at each stage depends on time and space. We prove the uniqueness and existence of a positive solution by combining the Galerkin’s variational method and the Banach’s fixed point theorem.
Effects of the Supplementation of Lysophospholipid in Low‐Lipid Diets on Juvenile Pacific White Shrimp
Authors: Song Ziling , Liu Huan , Liu Yang , Ye Zhengwei , Ma Qiang , Wei Yuliang , Xiao Lindong , Liang Mengqing , Xu Houguo
Published: November 2024

The shortage of lipid sources has been a limiting factor of the aqua‐feed industry. Lysophospholipid (LPL) is a highly efficient lipid emulsifier, which may help improve lipid utilization efficiency and thus spare the dietary lipid. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LPL on growth performance, fatty acid composition, and lipid metabolism of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (averagely, 2.4 g). Five diets were prepared: a control diet with 6.5% lipid, the control diet supplemented with 0.05% or 0.1% LPL (0.05% LPL and 0.1% LPL), a moderately low‐lipid (MLL) diet supplemented with 0.05% LPL (0.05% LPL‐MLL), and an extremely low‐lipid (ELL) diet supplemented with 0.1% LPL (0.1% LPL‐ELL). Each dietary group had triplicate tanks (30 shrimp in each tank). The feeding experiment lasted 8 weeks. Compared with the control group, the addition of 0.05% LPL promoted the growth by 9.95%; diet 0.05% LPL‐MLL resulted in a comparable growth to the control, but diet 0.1% LPL‐ELL tended to adversely affect the growth. Dietary LPL had little effect on the whole‐body proximate composition. The content of 18:2n−6 and 18:3n−3 was significantly higher in the 0.05% LPL group compared to the control. The 20:5n−3 content was the highest in the 0.05%LPL‐MLL group. In addition, the 0.05% LPL and 0.1% LPL group increased the plasma high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol content. Meanwhile, all LPL groups reduced the low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol content. The addition of LPL significantly regulated the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of genes related to cholesterol homeostasis, such as ldlr, srb1, abca1, and abcg8. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.05% LPL tended to promote shrimp growth and can spare 15% dietary lipid. However, when the dietary lipid content decreased from 6.5% to an extremely low level of 4.8%, dietary LPL was ineffective to spare lipids. This was the first study to validate the lipid‐sparing effect of dietary LPL in shrimp.
Exploring Testicular Descent: Recent Findings and Future Prospects in Canine Cryptorchidism
Authors: Krzeminska Paulina
Published: November 2024

Background: Canine cryptorchidism, manifested by an abnormal testicular position, poses significant health risks and reproductive challenges in affected males. Despite a high prevalence, estimated at up to 10% in the canine population, a comprehensive understanding of its pathogenesis remains elusive. Studies in human cryptorchids and knockout mice have identified key factors involved in testicular descent, including INSL3, RXFP2, and AR. To date, only three DNA variants, found in the RXFP2, HMGA2, and KAT6A genes, have been associated with canine cryptorchidism. Summary: This review briefly summarizes current knowledge on testicular descent and the factors that regulate this process, based on cryptorchidism in humans and mice. It also highlights recent findings related to canine cryptorchidism, focusing on the INSL3, HMGA2, and KAT6A genes. The most significant results are discussed, with an emphasis on the role of the epididymis in testicular descent. This report presents insights that may facilitate further research aiming to broaden our understanding of canine cryptorchidism pathogenesis. Key Messages: DNA polymorphism in the KAT6A gene, associated with changes in global H3K9 acetylation, as well as the DNA methylation pattern in the INSL3 gene, suggest that further research should strongly focus on epigenetic modifications. In addition, the development of the epididymo-testicular junction and the link between cryptorchidism prevalence and dog size should be further investigated.
Primary Congenital Glaucoma Presenting with Acute Corneal Hydrops: A Challenging Approach to Amblyopia Prevention
Authors: Rodrigues Rita , Pinheiro-Costa João , Araújo Joana , Benevides Melo António , Magalhães Augusto , Estrela-Silva Sérgio
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Acute hydrops is a rare initial manifestation of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). It can result in significant corneal opacity, posing an additional risk for amblyopia development in PCG patients. We report a case of a newborn with PCG presenting with acute corneal hydrops and significant corneal scarring, discussing the management and challenges of amblyopia prevention. Case Presentation: A 3-day-old female newborn was referred to our department due to bilateral corneal clouding. Anterior segment examination revealed bilateral corneal edema, with severe corneal prolapse in the right eye consistent with acute hydrops. The anterior chamber structures of the right eye were indiscernible due to significant corneal edema. The left eye presented a deep, quiet anterior chamber with no dysgenesis of anterior segment structures. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were >40 mm Hg in both eyes. Corneal diameters were 10 mm OD and 12 mm OS. Fundoscopic posterior segment assessment was not possible due to unclear media. B-scan ultrasonography revealed no significant changes. The patient underwent urgent bilateral trabeculotomy. Postoperatively, intense mechanical stretching induced by severely increased IOP was visible, with the right cornea exhibiting a central opacity managed with topical corticosteroids and showing improvement. Right corneal opacity spared the superior cornea, and atropine drops combined with left eye occlusion were employed to mitigate right eye deprivation amblyopia. Eighteen months later, the patient can fixate and follow objects with the right eye. Left eye corneal transparency was restored, and bilateral IOP control was achieved. Conclusion: Despite prompt surgical treatment, acute hydrops presents a postoperative management challenge and may result in irreversible corneal scarring. Timely management of corneal opacities is crucial to prevent amblyopia. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for the best visual outcome.
Exploring Molecular and Phenotypic Characteristics of NAGLU Arg234Gly and Asp312Asn Variants
Authors: Kaymakcalan Celebiler Hande , Barak Tanyeri , Rai Devendra K. , Kaya Ilyas , Erbilgin Seda , Cikili Uytun Merve , Oztop Didem , Gumus Hakan , Per Huseyin , Ceylaner Serdar , Bozkurt Icten , Kontaridis Maria I. , Bilguvar Kaya , Akhun Nilay , Kilincaslan Ayse , Caglayan Ahmet Okay , Erson-Omay E. Zeynep , Gunel Murat , Ercan-Sencicek A. Gulhan
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB is an autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder caused by variants in the α-n-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU) gene. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no treatment. Previous enzyme therapies have been unsuccessful. It is important to understand the mechanism of the disease to be able to find new treatments. Methods: We did whole-exome sequencing and standard Sanger sequencing on 7 cases of four consanguineous families diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Results: We identified two recurrent damaging biallelic Asp312Asn and p.Arg234Gly variants in the NAGLU gene. Structure modeling of these variants suggested that each variant affects the stability of the enzyme and results in a loss of activity. All affected individuals’ enzymatic assay in leukocytes clearly showed that α-n-acetylglucosaminidase was completely inactive. Our patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealing normal findings in two of them despite progressive clinical neurodegenerative symptoms. To our knowledge, these cases represent the second and third instances of normal MRI findings documented in the literature.
Race/Ethnic Differences in In-Hospital Mortality after Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Sun Philip Y. , Lian Kendra , Markovic Daniela , Ibish Abdullah , Faigle Roland , Gottesman Rebecca Fran , Towfighi Amytis
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Stroke mortality has declined, with differential changes by race; stroke is now the 5th leading cause of death overall, but 2nd leading cause of death in Black individuals. Little is known about recent race/ethnic and sex trends in in-hospital mortality after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and whether system-level factors contribute to possible differences. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample, adults (≥18 years) with a primary diagnosis of AIS from 2006 to 2017 (n = 643,912) were identified. We assessed in-hospital mortality by race/ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander [API], other), sex, and age. Hospitals were categorized by proportion of White patients served: “≥75% White hospitals,” “50–75% White hospitals,” and “<50% White hospitals.” Using survey adjusted logistic regression, the association between race/ethnicity and odds of mortality was assessed, adjusting for key sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics (e.g., age, comorbidities, stroke severity, do not resuscitate orders, and palliative care). Results: Overall, mortality decreased from 5.0% in 2006 to 2.9% in 2017 (p < 0.01). Comparing 2012–2017 to 2006–2011, there was a 68% reduction in mortality odds overall after adjusting for covariates, most prominent in White individuals (69%) and smallest in Black individuals (57%). Compared to White patients, Black and Hispanic patients had lower odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.82, 95% CI 0.78–0.87 and aOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87–1.00), primarily driven by those >65 years (age × ethnicity interaction p < 0.01). Compared to White men, Black, Hispanic, and API men, and Black women had lower aOR of mortality. The differences in mortality between White and all the other race/ethnic groups combined were most pronounced in ≥75% White hospitals (aOR 0.80, 0.74–0.87) compared to 50–75% White hospitals (aOR 0.85, 0.79–0.91) and <50% White hospitals (aOR 0.88, 0.81–0.95; interaction effect: p < 0.01). Conclusion: AIS mortality has decreased dramatically in recent years in all race/ethnic subgroups. Overall, while individuals of other race/ethnic subgroups had lower mortality odds compared to White individuals, this effect was significantly lower in hospitals serving predominantly White patients compared to those serving minority populations. Further study is needed to understand these differences and to what extent sociocultural, biological, and system-level factors play a role. Category: Health services, quality improvement, and patient-centered outcomes were the elements used to categorize the study sample.
A Glucocorticoid-Mediated Immunoregulatory Circuit Integrated at Brain Levels: Our Early Studies and a Present View
Authors: Besedovsky Hugo , del Rey Adriana
Published: November 2024

Background: It was known since the 1940s that pharmacological administration of glucocorticoids can inhibit inflammatory and immune processes, and these hormones are still today among the most widely used therapeutic tools to treat diseases with immune components. However, it became clear later that endogenous glucocorticoids can either support or restrain immune processes. Summary: Early studies showed that (a) endogenous levels of glucocorticoids can modulate immune cell activity; (b) the immune response itself can stimulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to release glucocorticoids to levels that can exert immunoregulatory effects; (c) immune products, later identified as cytokines, mediate this effect. On these bases, the existence of a glucocorticoid-mediated immunoregulatory circuit was proposed. It was also shown that increased levels of endogenous glucocorticoids exert protective effects during infections and other diseases with immune components. However, it was found in animal models and in humans that these effects can be blunted in several immune-linked diseases by defects at several levels, for example, by glucocorticoid resistance or by adrenal insufficiency. Evidence was later provided that the glucocorticoid-mediated immunoregulatory circuit can also be activated by cytokines produced not only as consequence of immune stimulation but also following psycho/sensorial and physical stimuli. Thus, this circuit can be integrated at brain levels and, besides stimulating the HPA axis, cytokines can also affect synaptic plasticity, most likely via a tripartite synapse, with astrocytes as neuro-immune cells acting as the third component. Key Messages: It is now well established that the glucocorticoid-mediated immunoregulatory circuit plays a central role in maintaining health. However, several variables can condition the efficacy of the effect of endogenous glucocorticoids. Furthermore, since cytokines and other immune products have many other neuroendocrine and metabolic effects, other neuroendocrine-immune circuits could simultaneously operate or become predominant during different pathologies. The consideration of these aspects might help to implement strategies to eventually decrease therapeutic doses of exogenous glucocorticoids.
Maternal Early Overfeeding Negatively Impacts Cardiac Progenitor Cell Differentiation and Cardiomyocyte Maturation in the Neonatal Offspring
Authors: Andrade Daniela Caldas , Freire Thiago , Silva Beatriz Moitinho Ferreira , Guimarães Andressa Cardoso , de Oliveira Elaine , Garcia-Souza Erica Patricia , Carvalho Simone Nunes de , Thole Alessandra Alves , Cortez Erika
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Maternal obesity has been positively correlated with an increased cardiometabolic risk in the offspring throughout life, implying intergenerational transmission. However, little is known about the early-life cardiac cell modifications that imply the onset of heart diseases later in life. This study analyzed cardiac progenitor cells and cardiomyocyte differentiation on day of birth in the offspring born to obese dams. Methods: The litter size reduction model was used to induce obesity in female Swiss mice. Both maternal groups, the Small Litter Dams (SLD-F1), which were overfed during lactation, and the Normal Litter Dams (NLD-F1), control group, were mated to healthy male mice. Their first-generation offspring (SLD-F2 and NLD-F2, n = 6 by group) were euthanized on birth. Results: Mothers from SLD had increased body mass, Lee Index, fat deposits, hyperglycemia, and glucose intolerance, confirming the obese phenotype. The offspring born from SLD-F1 had also increased body mass, Lee Index, and fasting hyperglycemia. The heart of SLD-F2 showed decreased cardiac mass/body mass ratio, increased cardiac collagen deposits, a greater number of undifferentiated cardiac c-kit+ and Sca-1+ progenitor cells, and increased NKX2.5+ cardiomyoblasts compared to control. In addition, SLD-F2 demonstrated immature cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: Obese dams negatively impact their offspring, leading to altered biometric and metabolic parameters, along with an immature heart already at birth, with extracellular matrix adverse remodeling, delayed cardiac progenitor cell differentiation, and restrained cardiomyocyte maturation, which can be related to the development of cardiometabolic disease in the adulthood.
Anp32b Deficiency Suppresses Ocular Development by Repression of Pax6
Authors: Wei Yu-Sheng , Liu Hao-Ran , Yang Qian , Zhi Zhe , Yu Yun
Published: November 2024

Introduction: This study aimed to elucidate the role and molecular mechanisms of acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein 32 kDa B (Anp32b) deficiency in ocular development. Methods: We used constitutive C57BL/6-derived Anp32b−/− mice to elucidate the role of Anp32b in ocular development, including the phenotype and proportion of eye malformation in different genotypes. RNA-seq analysis and rescue experiments were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of Anp32b. Results: Deletion of Anp32b contributes to severe defects in ocular development, including anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Moreover, Anp32b is highly expressed in the lens, and Anp32b−/− embryos with microphthalmia often exhibit severely impaired lens development. Mechanistically, ANP32B directly interacts with paired box protein 6 (PAX6), a master transcriptional regulator, and enhances its transcriptional activity. Overexpression of PAX6 partially but significantly reverses the inhibition of proliferation observed in ANP32B knockdown lens epithelial cells. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that Anp32b deficiency suppresses ocular development by repressing Pax6 and identify that Anp32b is a viable therapeutic target for ocular developmental defects.
The four elements: living beings or inert matter? Plato’s Timaeus against Empedocles’s On nature
Authors: Casella Federico
Published: November 2024

Abstract. In this paper, I argue that Empedocles’s peculiar expression according to which the roots – living entities, each endowed with thought and desires – “are themselves” forces the reader to think of them not solely as the principles of generation, never born and destined never to perish, but also as the true being, in the sense that the many particular entities are only an aspect, an image, a form assumed by the roots. I then argue that in his Timaeus Plato implicitly opposes Empedocles by describing the four elements as generated, sensible, and corporeal: therefore, not as entities with life and thought or even the true being, but as contingent forms or images of necessity. In this way, Plato prevents Empedocles’s theories from developing into a tradition: no longer conceived as intelligent and living beings, in ancient physics the four elements become inert matter.
A Cultura Afro-Brasileira através da literatura: as ligações entre Torto Arado e o Ensino de História
Authors: Mariano Claraelisa Martins
Published: November 2024

A partir da aprovação da Lei 10639/03, de 9 de janeiro de 2003, tornou-se obrigatório a aplicação da temática História e Cultura Afro-Brasileira no âmbito escolar de todo território nacional. O continente africano é constituído por uma história heterogênea e vasta, mas as representações em livros didáticos não condizem com essa estória. Entretanto, como aplicar toda essa diversidade cultural em sala de aula e romper com todos esses pré conceitos existentes, principalmente em relação às religiões de matriz africana? Isso é um desafio para os professores de ensino básico, que muitas vezes enfrentam a insalubridade do local de trabalho. Assim sendo, o intuito principal deste trabalho é demonstrar a relevância da literatura como fonte histórica e sua aplicação em sala de aula. Para isso, iremos nos embasar nos estudos de Ferreira (2017) e Candido (1985) e, a partir dessa ligação, demonstrar a viabilidade da utilização do romance “Torto Arado”, de Itamar Vieira Junior, como um recurso didático-pedagógico. Esse recurso já foi demonstrado por Moura (2019), Correia (2012), Bittencourt (2009) como eficaz para o ensino de história. Transgredindo as fronteiras entre História e Literatura e ampliando as possibilidades no ensino de determinados assuntos, trazendo para o ambiente escolar um contexto histórico em que o discente sinta-se tocado e não alheio, trazendo a história para sua realidade.
Zadig ou sobre como Voltaire se vale da literatura
Authors: Salgado Karine
Published: November 2024

O artigo pretende avaliar a forma como Voltaire expressa seu pensamento na literatura através da análise do conto Zadig. Assim, a partir do contexto e das experiências vivenciadas por Voltaire, o texto lança mão de uma leitura qualitativa do conto eleito, em cotejo com outras obras de seu autor. O artigo evidencia como Voltaire se vale da palavra escrita, em especial da literatura, para defender seus ideais de transformação da sociedade através do combate ao infâme, à intolerância e à autoridade como óbice ao conhecimento e ao progresso.
Work‐Related Stress Is Associated With Unfavorable Cardiovascular Health: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Ogunmoroti Oluseye , Osibogun Olatokunbo , Allen Norrina B. , Okunrintemi Victor , Commodore‐Mensah Yvonne , Shah Amit J. , Michos Erin D.
Published: November 2024

Background

Work‐related stress is a psychosocial risk factor linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the association between work‐related stress and cardiovascular health (CVH) is not well established. We estimated the association between work‐related stress and CVH in a multiethnic sample of adults free of cardiovascular disease at baseline.

Methods and Results

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of 3579 community‐based men and women, aged 45 to 84 years, of the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis from data collected between 2000 and 2002. Work‐related stress (yes/no) was assessed by a self‐administered questionnaire. CVH was measured by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 metrics (smoking, physical activity, body mass index, diet, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose). Each metric contributed 0, 1, or 2 points if in the poor, intermediate, or ideal range, respectively. The aggregated CVH score was 0 to 14 points and categorized as inadequate (0–8 points), average (9–10 points), and optimal (11–14 points). Polytomous logistic regression was used to estimate the association between work‐related stress and CVH, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. The mean±SD age was 57±8 years, and 48% were women. Work‐related stress was reported by 20% of participants. In fully adjusted models, participants with work‐related stress had lower odds of having average (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.75 [95% CI, 0.62–0.92]) and optimal (adjusted OR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.58–0.92]) CVH scores compared with participants without work‐related stress.

Conclusions

Work‐related stress was associated with unfavorable CVH. These findings underscore the importance of workplace psychological well‐being and suggest the need for studies on interventions that may reduce work‐related stress and promote CVH.
Localization of the epileptogenic network from scalp EEG using a patient-specific whole-brain model
Authors: Maliia Mihai Dragos , Köksal-Ersöz Elif , Benard Adrien , Calas Tristan , Nica Anca , Denoyer Yves , Yochum Maxime , Wendling Fabrice , Benquet Pascal
Published: November 2024

Computational modeling is a key tool for elucidating the neuronal mechanisms underlying epileptic activity. Despite considerable progress, existing models often lack realistic accuracy in representing electrophysiological epileptic activity. In this study, we used a comprehensive human brain model based on a neural mass model, which is tailored to the layered structure of the neocortex and incorporates patient-specific imaging data. This approach allowed the simulation of scalp EEGs in an epileptic patient suffering from type 2 focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). The simulation specifically addressed epileptic activity induced by FCD, faithfully reproducing intracranial interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) recorded with electrocorticography. For constructing the patient-specific scalp EEG, we carefully defined a clear delineation of the epileptogenic zone by numerical simulations to ensure fidelity to the topography, polarity, and diffusion characteristics of IEDs. This nuanced approach improves the accuracy of the simulated EEG signal, provides a more accurate representation of epileptic activity, and enhances our understanding of the mechanism behind the epileptogenic networks. The accuracy of the model was confirmed by a postoperative reevaluation with a secondary EEG simulation that was consistent with the lesion’s removal. Ultimately, this personalized approach may prove instrumental in optimizing and tailoring epilepsy treatment strategies.
Syriac Exegesis of the Qurʾān
Authors: Moqbel Tareq
Published: November 2024

Christian authors writing in Syriac after the Islamic conquests frequently invoked the Qurʾān to validate the truth of Christian beliefs – such as the Trinity and the Incarnation – and to read the Qurʾān in a manner that removes any criticism of Christians and Christianity. The most comprehensive work of this genre is Against the Arabs of the prolific 12th-century Syrian Orthodox writer, the monophysite bishop of Amida, Dionysius bar Ṣalībī. Hitherto, scholarly attention has been given to exploring Bar Ṣalībī’s Qurʾān quotations vis-à-vis the canonical Qurʾānic text and to identifying the sources from which Bar Ṣalībī quoted the Qurʾān. Building on the current state of research, the aim of the present article is to attempt to provide an analysis of Against the Arabs’ approach to some relatively problematic passages, cruces interpretum, in the Qurʾān. Through studying a number of Qurʾānic verses in Syriac translation, and as commented upon in Against the Arabs, the article highlights the textual problems detected in Against the Arabs and shows that they are genuine problems which are also discussed in the tafsīr (Qurʾān commentary) literature. Put differently, the article demonstrates that – although motivated by different causes – Against the Arabs and the Muslim exegetical literature were both intrigued by the same problems in the Qurʾān but, naturally, reacted to them in different ways. More generally, it is hoped that through showcasing aspects of Against the Arabs’ hermeneutical engagement with the Qurʾān the article will allow us to “hear” the Qurʾān as it was received and interpreted by Syriac Christianity in the High Middle Ages.
Phytochemical composition of selected endangered medicinal plants used in traditional Amchi system of medicine in Ladakh region of the western Himalayas: A comprehensive review
Authors: Raza Mohd , Namgail Tundup , Chandra Ratna
Published: November 2024

Plants secrete secondary metabolites for purposes like defense, protection from herbivores, tolerance towards stress conditions, etc. These metabolites have been reported to be in high concentration in plants growing in stress conditions. Ladakh, (34 ° 12’ 34.2540” N and 77 ° 36’ 54.4032” E) a union territory in India in the Western Himalayas, experiences a extreme cold and dry climate and harbors an unique biota in the form of medicinal plants. These plants were used by the locals in traditional medicine since ages in what largely known as the Tibetan system of medicine, locally called the Amchi system. Recent studies have shown that these plants have a promising content of secondary metabolites and antioxidants. The plants or natural source could be a good source for alternative medicine as they have low side effects. Till date few of these plants were scientifically studied in relation to their phytochemical constituents. It has been found that these plants are rich in phytochemicals like flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, tannins, terpenes, etc. These phytochemicals were then reported to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer activities, etc. Therefore these plants could be exploited for the treatment of various ailments ranging from gastric, liver, microbial infection and even cancer. Further, in the long run more plants which are yet to be studied need to be reported extensively in the scientific arena in order to make these natural products more beneficial for mankind. The current review focuses only on selected medicinal plants that occur in Ladakh and whose phytochemical constituents were reported in depth. The study tries to have a correlation between traditional Amchi and the plant chemical constituents that reinforces Amchi system as alternative medicine.