bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An eGFP-Col4a2 mouse model reveals basement membrane dynamics underlying hair follicle morphogenesis
Authors: Wuergezhen Duligengaowa , Gindroz Eleonore , Morita Ritsuko , Hashimoto Kei , Abe Takaya , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Fujiwara Hironobu
Published: November 2024

Precisely controlled remodeling of the basement membrane (BM) is crucial for morphogenesis, but its molecular and tissue-level dynamics, underlying mechanisms, and functional significance in mammals remain largely unknown due to limited visualization tools. We developed mouse lines in which the endogenous collagen IV gene (Col4a2) was fused with a fluorescent tag. Through live imaging of developing hair follicles, we reveal a spatial gradient in the turnover rate of COL4A2 that is closely coupled with both the BM expansion rate and the proliferation rate of epithelial progenitors. Epithelial progenitors are displaced with directionally expanding BMs but do not actively migrate on stationary BM. The addition of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor delays COL4A2 turnover, restrains BM expansion, and increases perpendicular divisions of epithelial progenitors, altering hair follicle morphology. Our findings highlight the spatially distinct dynamics of BM and their key roles in orchestrating progenitor cell behavior and organ shape during development.
ER export via SURF4 uses diverse mechanisms of both client and coat engagement
Authors: Maldutyte Julija , Li Xiao-Han , Gomez-Navarro Natalia , Robertson Evan G. , Miller Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2024

Protein secretion is an essential process that drives cell growth and communication. Enrichment of soluble secretory proteins into ER-derived transport carriers occurs via transmembrane cargo receptors that connect lumenal cargo to the cytosolic COPII coat. Here, we find that the cargo receptor, SURF4, recruits different SEC24 cargo adaptor paralogs of the COPII coat to export different cargoes. The secreted protease, PCSK9, requires both SURF4 and a co-receptor, TMED10, for export via SEC24A. In contrast, secretion of Cab45 and NUCB1 requires SEC24C/D. We further show that ER export signals of Cab45 and NUCB1 bind co-translationally to SURF4 via a lumenal pocket, contrasting prevailing models of receptor engagement only upon protein folding/maturation. Bioinformatics analyses suggest that strong SURF4-binding motifs are features of proteases, receptor-binding ligands, and Ca2+-binding proteins. We propose that certain classes of proteins are fast-tracked for rapid export to protect the health of the ER lumen.
Study on Adaptability of Progressing Cavity Pump for Huff-n-Puff Liquid Extraction Well
Authors: Li Mingzhu , Yu Shuang , Jiao Jinsheng , Dai Aiqi
Published: November 2024

According to the deployment of “profile control, water shut-off, liquid extraction and liquid control” of the fault block, the development requirements of edge coordinated huff-n-puff and local liquid extraction, some oil wells in this fault block need to implement liquid extraction with large pumps. However, as the amount of carbon dioxide injection and the number of huff-n-puff rounds continue to increase, new problems are brought to the liquid extraction. The rotor, drive rod and oil pipe of the progressing cavity pump are prone to corrosion and even well lying. Secondly, the properties of the formation produced fluid change, and the produced fluid is mismatched with the progressing cavity pump stator, causing the progressing cavity pump stator rubber to swelling, degumm, and cause the pump to jam. With the gradual expansion of the application field of progressing cavity pump oil production technology, the continuous adjustment of oil field development technology policies, coupled with the changes in complex well conditions and production characteristics, Higher requirements have been put forward for its adaptability, and research work combining theory and practice needs to be continuously improved.
Application effect of temporary plugging and diverting fracturing technology in well X1
Authors: Li Yuntao
Published: November 2024

The deployment of horizontal well development in the sweet spot area of the main sand body can improve the reservoir control degree and the production of a single well. The X1 well in the X block will be put into production after fracturing in 2022. The target layer of this well is a tight reservoir with low porosity and low permeability, and natural fractures are not developed. Combined with the geological characteristics of the target well, horizontal well soluble bridge plug and temporary plugging and diversion fracturing technology are applied to well X1, and branch fractures are formed through temporary plugging and diversion in the fracture, which increases the complexity of fractures and increases the drainage area. The well is currently in production for 485 days, with a peak oil day of 17.4t and a current oil day of 7t, with a cumulative oil production of 4184.6t. In this paper, the fracturing effect of well X1 is preliminatively analyzed, and it is concluded that under the same reservoir conditions, the single particle size sand combined with temporary plugging in the fracture transformation has a relatively good development effect, which can obviously improve the development effect of tight reservoir. The application effect of soluble bridge plug and temporary plugging diversion fracturing technology in this well has certain reference significance for improving the development effect and benefit of horizontal well in ultra-low permeability reservoir.
Study on plugging mechanism and acidizing plugging removal technology of shale reservoir
Authors: Shu Hui , Du Juan , Liu PingLi , Chen Xiang
Published: November 2024

Ordos Basin is rich in unconventional oil and gas resources. Shale resources are developed in source rock series. With the continuous development, many oil wells have different degrees of blockage in the production process. It has different levels of complex performance in wellhead, wellbore and formation, which seriously restricts reservoir production. The formation fluid, reservoir rock samples and plugging materials were analyzed from multiple angles by means of nuclear magnetic electron microscopy, X-ray and acid dissolution to determine the source and formation mechanism of plugging materials. The analysis results show that the main component of the formation mineral is quartz, and the formation crude oil is mainly alkane. The scale sample is a mixture of formation minerals, scaling and corrosion products, and the content varies greatly. It is considered that the particle migration in the reservoir is an important cause of inorganic damage, and the organic matter damage cooperates with the inorganic damage to make the damage more serious. On this basis, this paper puts forward the organic cleaning of wellhead and wellbore, and then inorganic plugging removal of formation plugging, and constructs the deep acidification system of 12 % HCL + 10 % HBF4 and 10 % GT-α. The experiment shows that the effective production ratio can reach 3.6, and the effect of acidizing and plugging removal is remarkable. This study has formed an effective plugging treatment technology for shale reservoir, which can provide technical support for similar reservoir acidification.
The historical meaning of late medieval physics in Oxford
Authors: Weill-Parot Nicolas
Published: November 2024

This paper will review late medieval physics in Oxford in the context of the study of natural philosophy across Europe and in particular it will consider the case study of the work undertaken by Johannes Scharpe.
Democritus and Aristotle: Are there atoms and empty space?
Authors: Gregory Andrew
Published: November 2024

Democritus of Abdera, one of the first atomists and Aristotle the great philosopher and systematiser radically disagreed on what the world was made of. Democritus said there were atoms and empty space, while Aristotle’s view was that there were no atoms and no empty space. There were further disagreements on how to explain phenomena, how many worlds there were and how this world had come about.
Bending space and time
Authors: Barrow John
Published: November 2024

Albert Einstein showed how gravity could best be represented by a curved spacetime. This paper discusses how this works out both in the case of cosmology and of black holes, and how it allows the possibility of travel to the past in principle (but not in practice). The observable universe and the inflationary universe are also considered.
Characterization of influence of high spindle speeds on self-lubricating bearing system
Authors: Chen C M , Chang H L , Chien C Y , Lin W H
Published: November 2024

This paper studies the influence of bearing speed under a self-lubricating system. In the early 20th century, specialized precision manufacturing companies were founded, further establishing ball bearings as a very valuable, high-quality, and easily accessible mechanical component. This study used a self-lubricating system to achieve constant temperature and precision control. The spindle speed was analysed and tested at three speeds under a fixed pre-loading of 13000 N and a fixed lubricating oil viscosity index of 15. The results showed the spindle speed increases, the heat generated increases, and internal component temperature changes also increase. When the spindle speed is 12,000 rpm, the temperature of the inner ring of the bearing increases and changes by 166.4 %, causing fatigue and scratch wear at the same time. Using a lubricating oil self-lubricating system can slow down the temperature rise rate of components. The operation system can quickly reach a stable state, reducing thermal deformation and temperature accuracy errors.
Design and fabrication of micro carbon dioxide sensor based on TiO2 thin film
Authors: Chan H J , Liou J C , Fu L M , Lee C Y
Published: November 2024

A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based micro carbon dioxide sensor is fabricated using conventional photolithography, electron beam evaporation, and radio frequency sputtering techniques. The sensor consists of a titanium dioxide sensing layer, interdigital electrodes (IDEs), a platinum resistance temperature detector (RTD), and an aluminium oxide substrate. Given a working temperature greater than 300°C, the resistance of the titanium dioxide sensing layer increases linearly with an increasing carbon dioxide concentration. Fluctuations in the working temperature are detected by the RTD and compensated using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) feedback control system implemented in LabVIEW. The temperature detection results reveal that the RTD has a sensitivity of 1.3 mV/°C. The sensor is calibrated using a standard carbon dioxide detector and is used to perform carbon dioxide sensing at working temperatures of 300°C, 350°C, and 400°C, respectively. It is shown that the highest sensitivity of (0.179 MΩ/ppm) and fastest response time (15 seconds) are attained at a working temperature of 350°C.
Flow behaviors of various metals under tensile load
Authors: Kim N Y , Razali M K , Hong S M , Joun M S
Published: November 2024

The influence of flow behaviors on the results of finite element (FE) analyses of metal-forming processes is dominant, even though it varies with strain hardening and softening phenomena. However, obtaining a flow curve with sufficient accuracy is not easy, particularly at large strains. Among various well-known methods of obtaining flow curves, tensile testing-based method is effective to obtain flow curves at large strains at room temperature. It is believed that the strain hardening behavior at large strains during the tensile test was not fully known. In this study, the flow curves, previously obtained using the combined tensile test and finite element method (FEM) approach, are classified as four categories, including monotonic strain hardening function, double-curvature strain hardening function, strain hardening-perfectly-plastic function, and perfectly-plastic-strain softening function. The tensile test characteristics of each type are investigated using its FE predictions, revealing that the specific type of a material can be identified by the tensile test.
Design and analysis of extrusion die for T-shaped sheet materials
Authors: Chen D C , You C S
Published: November 2024

The study explores plastic deformation behavior of T-shaped plates using DEFORM™ 3D, a perfect plastic finite element analysis software that considers T-shaped and double T-shaped extrusion dies as rigid bodies and compares effective strain, effective stress, blank temperature, die wear and temperature conditions. Moreover, the study employed the machine learning step descent method to predict effective stress and effective strain. Furthermore, the Pearson product difference correlation was utilized to examine the relationship between effective stress, effective strain, and temperature in T-shaped extrusion. Lastly, META analysis was conducted to synthesize statistical data on effective stress and temperature from various research.
Determining the bilinear flow stress of thin films by comparing load/depth and sink-in/pile-up behavior between nanoindentation and FEM
Authors: Yang T S , Chang S Y
Published: November 2024

It is known from the literature that the load-depth curve obtained by nanoindentation cannot uniquely determine the plastic flow stress behaviour of the material. In this study, the sink-in/pile-up of nanoindentation is another important information for predicting the elastic-plastic behaviour of thin film. Therefore, by comparing load/depth behaviour and sink-in/pile-up from nanoindentation with finite element analysis, the bilinear flow stress of the coating can be determined. Commercial TiN coatings are currently used as an example for this study. The bilinear flow stress of TiN can be determined by this method: the elastic modulus of 343.007 GPa, the yield stress of 10.458 GPa and the tangent modulus of 214.080 GPa. In addition, the stress of loading and unloading during the nanoindentation of the thin film was also investigated.
Numerical research of functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic structures under thermal environment via the thermo-mechanical-electro-magnetic enriched finite element method
Authors: Wang Jiye , Zhou Liming , Liu Peng , Tian Hailong , Zhao Hongwei
Published: November 2024

In this work, the functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic (FG-MEE) structures were used to study mechanical performance under a thermal environment using the thermo-mechanical-electro-magnetic enriched finite element method (TMEM-EFEM). Through enhancing the traditional solution space of the finite element method (FEM), additional degrees of freedom are introduced without modifying the mesh structure. Therefore, as a class of higher-order finite element methods, field variables with high gradients can be captured without a relatively finer mesh. The accuracy of TMEM-EFEM is improved by using interpolation covers. The feasibility of TMEM-EFEM is proven by numerical examples. The proposed TMEM-EFEM is proven to be accurate under the relatively coarse mesh. Through numerical examples, the high accuracy of TMEM-EFEM is demonstrated. Therefore, TMEM-EFEM can be a good alternative for the statics study of FG-MEE structures.
Research on design method of lattice turbine disk based on topology optimization
Authors: Lu Siwei , Jia Hanhan , Qian Zhengming , Deng Lijun , Zhou Zetang
Published: November 2024

As a typical structure of an aero-engine, turbine disk has been used in high-temperature and high-speed environments for a long time, and its mass accounts for a large proportion. Therefore, its lightweight design is urgent. With the development of an aero-engine towards a high thrust-to-weight ratio, the turbine speed continues to increase, and the single-stage load continues to increase, which makes the design of the turbine disk face more problems and challenges. The uniform material turbine disk structure has made it difficult to meet its comprehensive performance requirements. To address this issue, this paper proposes a lattice turbine disk design idea, changing the uniform organization pursued by traditional design and achieving optimal performance through the integration of design innovation and manufacturing process innovation. This paper takes the turbine disk as the research object to establish a lattice turbine disk design method. By using the topology optimization method based on progressive optimization, the cell configuration can be obtained. After that, combined with the structural characteristics of the turbine disk, the design of the dot matrix auxiliary plate disk is realized. Finally, taking a turbine disk as an example, this paper carried out the optimization design of the turbine disk and obtained the lattice disk with better performance, which verified the feasibility of the method.
A new type of arc-plate flexible driving foot stick-slip piezoelectric actuator
Authors: Liu Sihan , Yang Yang , Wu Tong , Liang Tianwei , Wang Yunyi , Liu Peng
Published: November 2024

Because of its high precision and high speed, stick-slip actuators in piezoelectric actuators have important research significance in aerospace and other fields. To make the performance of the actuator superior, a high-performance stick-slip actuator suitable for the aerospace field is developed. In this paper, based on the in-depth study of the related theories, a kind of arc-plate flexible driving foot is proposed. On this basis, a kind of arc-plate flexible driving foot stick-slip piezoelectric actuator is designed to further improve the performance of the actuator. After the test, its maximum speed can reach 4.12 mm/s, and the maximum load is 330 g.
PID control for the water-air hybrid aquatic-aerial vehicle’s exit based on simulated annealing genetic algorithm optimization
Authors: Dong Sitong
Published: November 2024

A hybrid aquatic-aerial vehicle is a special equipment with the ability to perform amphibious operations in water and air, and its control accuracy and stability during the water outflow process are crucial for ensuring the safety and operational efficiency of the vehicle. This article first constructs the kinematic and dynamic models of the hybrid aquatic-aerial vehicle and designs the basic control strategy based on a PID controller. Given the limitations of a single PID control strategy in specific contexts, this study proposes a PID controller based on genetic algorithm optimization and introduces a simulated annealing algorithm in the optimization process of the genetic algorithm to make the adjustment of controller parameters more precise and efficient. Through simulation verification, it was found that the optimized PID controller improved the performance of the aircraft during the outflow stage, indicating that this optimization control strategy has a positive impact on improving the operational performance of the aircraft.
Investigation into the effect of impact damage on compression behavior of the omega-stiffened composite panels
Authors: Cao Su , Li Lei , Pang Baocai , Wei Jingchao , Cheng Linan
Published: November 2024

With superior performance and weight-saving potential, composite structures have been increasingly applied in the aerospace industry. The damage process and post-buckling deformation of composite panels under compressive load have been proven to limit the application of composite structures. For the purpose of utilizing the full potentiality of thin-walled composite structures, an experimental investigation was employed to explore the influence of impact damage on the buckling behavior and the load-carrying capacity of omega-stiffened composite panels. Pristine panels and impact-damaged panels were under compressive load until failure. The results showed that the pristine panels had higher compressive stability and ultimate strength, and the existence of impact damage led to a decline in the buckling load and the carrying capacity, which were up to 16% and 27%, respectively. Additionally, the complex stress state caused by the introduced impact damage influenced the buckling response and the damage patterns of the omega-stiffened panels. The pristine panels exhibited typical compression failure mode, with matrix crack and fiber breakage in the stringer and the skin. However, the collapse of the pre-damaged panels was dominated by the debonding of the skin-stiffener interface and the out-of-plane deformation of the skin.
A study on the effect of cylindrical shell scaled model size on ESCM prediction accuracy
Authors: Du Donghai , Chen Chen , Wang Jiachun , Li Daokui , Zhou Lilin
Published: November 2024

Current research on similitude theory has introduced numerous methods to address the distortion similitude model. However, these methods still encounter some challenges in guiding the design of scale models, such as insufficient accuracy and a limited range of design sizes. In this paper, the Energy Similitude Correction Method (ESCM) is used to analyze the effect of size design on the accuracy of cylindrical shell-scaled models, taking into account distortion factors such as wall thickness and thermal environment. The research shows that the closer the model size is to the prototype size, the higher the prediction accuracy is. Additionally, larger size combinations are more reliable for predicting the prototype frequency in scaled model tests. The research results provide a basis for the reasonable design of the size of the scaled model group and make a positive contribution to improving the prediction accuracy of the scaled model.
Effect of TGP’s compression ratio on the vibration response of PCBA
Authors: Jia Pu
Published: November 2024

The influence of the compression ratio of the thermal conductive pad (TCP) on vibration response characteristics of airborne electronic equipment is investigated. The acceleration and strain in three cases, i.e. with no thermal conductive pad, the compression ratio of 10% and 55%, are studied respectively. The results show that, by using a thermal conductive pad, the acceleration and strain can be reduced significantly. The response of acceleration and strain with different compression ratios are significantly different. A high compression ratio can increase the vibration response. An unreasonable selection of thermal conductive pads can result in high stress in the surroundings of screws and chips, which will lead to component failure.
Uncertainty analysis of hypersonic flight dynamics under elastic effects
Authors: Li Shuqing , Zeng Fanlin , Xiang Qiulin
Published: November 2024

In addressing the aerodynamic-elastic coupling issues of hypersonic vehicles, this study delves into the analysis of the elastic deformation of the aircraft based on mechanistic understanding. It employs the Interval Analysis Method based on Polynomial Approximations to conduct uncertainty analysis of the aerodynamic model under elasticity, delineating the range of uncertainty in the aerodynamic model influenced by elastic deformation. The aerodynamic force of the aircraft under elasticity is connected with the rigid body, and then the aerodynamic layout of the aircraft fuselage and control surface after elastic deformation is calculated to study the influence of the elastic effect on the aerodynamic force. The results show that the change caused by uncertainty has a relatively small effect on lift but a relatively large effect on drag and pitching moment.
Effect of hypergravity on CHF for water flow boiling in a rectangular channel
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Sun Zhi
Published: November 2024

Hypergravity during the maneuver of aircraft can obviously increase the intensity of disturbance in flow boiling. The critical heat flux (CHF) is a critical parameter to prevent the aircraft thermal management system from drying out. On a rotating platform with distilled water as the working fluid, an experimental investigation into the water flow boiling CHF characteristics in a rectangular channel under hypergravity was carried out. In this study, the influence of hypergravity, entry temperature, mass velocity with heating direction on flow boiling CHF have been investigated and discussed. The results show that hypergravity has a clear effect on the CHF by improving two-phase mixing and bubble separation. CHF increases as the hypergravity and mass velocity increase but decreases as the inlet temperature rises. The orientation of the heating has a clear impact on CHF. A new fitting correlation was discovered as a result of the current study.
Simulation and experimental study of aerodynamic characteristics of a rotor adsorption wall-climbing robot
Authors: Cheng Zheng , Song Meili , Liu Yong , Wu Hongbo , Ouyang Haonan
Published: November 2024

High-rise buildings are prone to gusts of wind, especially crosswinds. In order to investigate the effect of crosswinds on the aerodynamic characteristics of rotor blades at different near-wall distances, a CFD simulation model is designed for four near-wall distances and five wind speeds, and the change curves of rotor pulling force, pressure cloud diagrams and velocity cloud diagrams are obtained by using Fluent for the various conditions. The mechanism and pattern of its influence on the aerodynamic characteristics of rotor blades are studied by observing the pulling force change curve and cloud diagram. Finally, an experimental platform is built to verify the correctness of the simulation results. The simulation and experimental results have a similar law, i.e., crosswinds do not only have a negative effect on reducing the pulling force generated by the rotor blades, but can also have a gain effect on the pulling force in some cases. This law has some application value, which can be utilized to compensate the rotor speed accordingly. When the pulling force is reduced, the speed is increased appropriately to improve the reliability of the adsorption, and when the pull force is increased, the speed is reduced appropriately, which can reduce the power consumption and increase the range.
Nonuniform Bose–Einstein condensate: II. Doubly coherent states
Authors: Tomchenko Maksim
Published: November 2024

We find stationary excited states of a one-dimensional system of N spinless point bosons with repulsive interaction and zero boundary conditions by numerically solving the time-independent Gross–Pitaevskii equation. The solutions are compared with the exact ones found in the Bethe-ansatz approach. We show that the jth stationary excited state of a nonuniform condensate of atoms corresponds to a Bethe-ansatz solution with the quantum numbers

n

1

=

n

2

=
…
=

n

N

=
j
+
1

. On the other hand, such values of

n

1

,
…
,

n

N

correspond to a condensate of N elementary excitations (the Bogoliubov quasiparticles) with the quasimomentum

ℏ
π
j

/

L

, where L is the system size. Thus, each stationary excited state of the condensate is ‘doubly coherent’, since it corresponds simultaneously to a condensate of N atoms and a condensate of N elementary excitations. We find the energy E and the particle density profile

ρ
(
x
)

for such states. The possibility of experimental production of these states is also discussed.
Effect of heat treatment over the mechanical properties and the resistance to corrosion of the ternary Cu-Al-Ag alloy
Authors: Flores-Sanchez Daniel , Suárez-Rosales Miguel Ángel , Gutiérrez-Arzaluz Mirella , Palomar-Pardavé Manuel , Romero-Romo Mario , Landa-Castro Midori
Published: November 2024

In the present work, the manufacture of a Cu-9Al-3Ag alloy was carried out easily through a green molding process. After dimensioning and slitting, the alloy samples were subjected to quenching, normalizing, and annealing heat treatments, to exert phase transformations that would, in return, aid into clarifying the influence of the phases present on the mechanical properties, such as hardness, as well as the behavior when exposed to a commonly known mildly corrosive media such as NaCl. The results obtained reveal an increase in hardness (assessed through either HRB) and (microhardness HV) in the quenched and annealed sample, as well as better corrosion resistance. The characterization was carried out through optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), potentiodynamic polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
The Secularization of Knowledge
Authors: Gordon Peter E
Published: November 2024

The fact-value distinction is widely taken as uncontroversial; the saying that “facts are objective, values are subjective” remains a commonplace of folk epistemology. This paper aims to show that Max Weber was not in any straightforward sense a proponent of this distinction. A careful analysis of his methodological statements should prompt us to revise our understanding as to where he is situated in this philosophical controversy. The paper argues that Weber subscribed to a “quasi-transcendental” model of social-scientific knowledge according to which values serve as epistemic preconditions to facts. The paper further argues that Weber saw this model of knowledge as the outcome of a long process of secularization that culminates in a posture of social-scientific irony.
Weber’s Countergenealogy of Democracy
Authors: Turner Stephen
Published: November 2024

Weber’s comments on democracy are puzzling, and even more puzzling when they are reinterpreted in terms of what came to be called “democratic theory” in academic circles. The list of puzzling statements is long, involving such notions as nonlegitimate domination. The distinction he made between democracy and authority—which he took to be mutually incompatible concepts in their pure forms—excludes the possibility of legitimate democratic authority. The reasoning is comparable to similar claims by Hans Kelsen, for similar theoretical reasons rooted in the philosophy of law. The result is that what we regard as democracies Weber regarded as mixed or transitional forms. What he focuses on instead is the modern state as found only in the West, and its unique features, especially the form of parliamentary representation of the play of interests, but even more important, the concept of offices, whether in the state or in organized political parties.
Pediatric neuropsychological assessment in Southeast Asia: Current status and future directions with Vietnam as a scoping review case example
Authors: Nguyen-Martinez Ashley L , Pham Nhi , Ba Caroline , Veeramuthu Vigneswaran , Quang Halle
Published: November 2024

Objective

There is a concerning lack of systematic understanding regarding the availability and validity of neuropsychological assessment tools for children in Southeast Asia. This issue is further complicated by the unclear landscape for test development, adaptations, and translations in these countries. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we offer insights into the broader practice of pediatric neuropsychology within Southeast Asia communities based on their current medical infrastructural standings. Then, we provide a specific case study by examining the current status of pediatric neuropsychology for Vietnamese children.

Method

A brief overview of the status of pediatric neuropsychology in Southeast Asia groups is provided, followed by a scoping review examining performance-based and objective rating inventories for the Vietnamese pediatric population.

Results

42 studies were included in the Vietnamese review spanning several cognitive and socioemotional domains. Adaptation and translation protocols were significantly variable. Figures and tables summarizing the identified questionnaires and test measures are included.

Conclusions

Vietnam, with its moderately developed medical infrastructure and shared cultural, economic, and sociopolitical traits with other Southeast Asian countries, provides a compelling case study for the growth, challenges, and gaps in neuropsychology. While the field continues to develop in this country, ongoing opportunities and the need for guidelines on test development and adaptation are critically needed to advance the field further. Implications for more and less developed Southeast Asia countries are provided based on our scoping review.
The roles of interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F in hidradenitis suppurativa pathogenesis: evidence from human in vitro preclinical experiments and clinical samples
Authors: Rastrick Joseph , Edwards Hannah , Ferecskó Alex S , Le Friec Gaëlle , Manghera Avneet , Page Matthew , Shaw Stevan
Published: November 2024

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease associated with significant comorbidities and poor quality of life. Despite uncertainty about pathways driving inflammation in HS lesions, the cytokines interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F have been shown to be upregulated in patients with HS. Previous studies have demonstrated that the monoclonal IgG1 antibody bimekizumab selectively inhibits IL-17F in addition to IL-17A.

Objectives

To further investigate the roles of IL-17A and IL-17F in HS pathogenesis.

Methods

RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was conducted on skin biopsies taken at baseline and after treatment at week 12 of a phase II proof-of-concept study of bimekizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe HS. Differentially expressed genes were identified between baseline lesional and nonlesional samples and between lesional samples before and after bimekizumab treatment, to describe molecular disease mechanisms and treatment effect. Human hair follicular keratinocytes (HHFK) were cultured and treated with a supernatant of stimulated T helper (Th)17 cells in combination with anti-IL-17A, anti-IL-17F, anti-IL-17A and anti-IL-17F, or IgG control antibodies. Total mRNA was analysed by RNAseq. Cellular supernatants from the stimulated HHFKs were used as a source of Th17-induced chemoattractants in neutrophil chemotaxis assays.

Results

RNAseq revealed that the most prominently upregulated genes in HS lesions included those associated with neutrophil biology. Bimekizumab treatment resulted in reduced expression of these genes. The extent of reduction in gene expression was dependent on achieving HiSCR50 (≥ 50% reduction from baseline in the total abscess and inflammatory nodule count, with no increase from baseline in abscess or draining tunnel count). In vitro dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F had greater attenuation of Th17-induced HS-associated genes and neutrophil migration in HHFKs vs. IL-17A or IL-17F inhibition alone. In situ hybridization found that IL-17A- and IL-17F-producing cells in HS lesions can lack the IL-23 receptor and IL-1β could induce IL-23-independent IL-17F expression in vitro. Furthermore, mucosal-associated invariant cells in HS tunnels expressed IL-17F and IL-1 receptor type 1. IL-1β-, IL-17A- and IL-17F-expressing cells were found to be co-localized in HS lesions.

Conclusions

These data support the hypothesis that IL-17A and IL-17F play central roles in HS, a neutrophilic dermatosis. The presence of IL-1β may partly explain the high expression of IL-17F in lesional HS tissue.
Variation in surgery postponement rates in the NHS in England
Authors: McCone Emma , Snowden Chris , Swart Michael , Briggs Tim W R , Gray William K
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Postponement of surgery at preoperative assessment in the days or weeks before the patient is admitted for surgery, as distinct from cancellation on the planned day of surgery, can be devastating for patients and an inefficient use of finite resources. However, postponements are often poorly recorded. The primary aim of this pilot study was to investigate elective surgical postponement rates during or after preoperative assessment across England, and the reasons for postponement for patients on an elective surgical pathway.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of clinical audit data from 16 National Health Service (NHS) trusts in England was undertaken. Data were collected during a two-week period in March 2024 on all postponements within a service. The primary outcome of interest was the postponement rate.

Results

Some 8000 case notes were reviewed. There were 583 (7.3%) postponements. Postponement rates across trusts varied from 31.9% to 1.0%. Significantly shorter time from referral to preoperative assessment was observed for day-case patients, urgent patients, patients without early screening and patients without a ‘to come in’ date in place. Of the 342 routine patients, 293 (85.7%) had postponements for medical rather than pathways or process reasons. Half of all routine patients waited over 94 days and a quarter of patients waited 198 days from being added to a patient tracking list to preoperative assessment.

Conclusions

Minimizing postponements and improving preoperative assessment efficiency should be part of wider initiatives to streamline perioperative pathways.
Regulation of blood pressure by METTL3 via RUNX1b–eNOS pathway in endothelial cells in mice
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Yang Xiaoxiao , Lan Mei , Yuan Ze , Li Shuai , Liu Yangping , Han Cha , Ai Ding , Yang Yang , Zhu Yi , Li Bochuan
Published: November 2024

Aims

Endothelial cells regulate vascular tone to control the blood pressure (BP) by producing both relaxing and contracting factors. Previously, we identified methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a primary N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase, as a key player in alleviating endothelial atherogenic progression. However, its involvement in BP regulation remains unclear.

Methods and results

To evaluate the role of METTL3 in vivo, mice with EC specific METTL3 deficiency (EC-Mettl3KO) with or without Ang II infusion were used to create a hypertensive model. Functional and MeRIP sequencing analysis was performed to explore the mechanism of METTL3-mediated hypertension. We observed a reduction in endothelial METTL3 activity by Ang II in vitro and in vivo. Endothelial METTL3-deficient mice exhibited higher BP than controls, with no gender disparity observed. The subsequent study was primarily conducted in male mice. Through m6A sequencing and functional analysis, we identified m6A modification of various RUNX1 monomers resulted in endothelial dysfunction. Mutations in the 3′UTR region of RUNX1b abolished its luciferase reporter activity and enhanced eNOS promoter luciferase reporter activity with or without METTL3 overexpression. Overexpression of METTL3 by adeno-associated virus reduced Ang II-induced BP elevation.

Conclusion

This study reveals that METTL3 alleviates hypertension through m6A-dependent stabilization of RUNX1b mRNA, leading to up-regulation of eNOS, thus underscoring the pivotal role of RNA transcriptomics in the regulation of hypertension.
Scenarios, not shortage forecasts, are key to better workforce policy
Authors: Buntin Melinda J B , Chen Mingxin , Auerbach David I
Published: November 2024

Current and projected shortages in the US health workforce have prompted policymakers to propose reforms to Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) and nursing programs. However, researchers have historically faced challenges in accurately predicting workforce trends; physician and nurse supply and demand all grew faster than expected over the past 2 decades. These discrepancies highlight the need for scenario-based workforce planning and projection models that estimate how a policy intervention would affect the workforce outcome of interest. In addition, policy options modeled should address not only increasing provider-to-population ratios but also improving health outcomes through innovative payment and care models.
Loss of paired immunoglobin-like type 2 receptor B gene associated with age-related macular degeneration impairs photoreceptor function in mouse retina
Authors: Dey Partha Narayan , Singh Nivedita , Zelinger Lina , Batz Zachary , Nellissery Jacob , White Carreiro Noor D , Qian Haohua , Li Tiansen , Fariss Robert N , Dong Lijin , Swaroop Anand
Published: November 2024

Genome-wide association studies have uncovered mostly non-coding variants at over 60 genetic loci linked to susceptibility for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To ascertain the causal gene at the PILRB/PILRA locus, we used a CRISPR strategy to produce germline deletions in the mouse paired immunoglobin-like type 2 receptor (Pilr) genes that encode highly related activating (PILRB) and inhibitory (PILRA) receptors. We show that a combined loss of Pilrb1 and Pilrb2, but not Pilra, leads to an early but relatively stationary defect as the electroretinography (ERG) amplitudes of Pilrb1/2−/− mice exhibit a marked reduction as early as postnatal day 15 and do not show additional significant decrease at 3 and 12-months. No alterations are evident in Müller glia, microglia, bipolar, amacrine and horizontal cells based on immunohistochemistry using cell-type specific markers. PILRB immunostaining is specifically detected at the proximal part of photoreceptor outer segment. Reduced expression of select calcium-regulated phototransduction and synapse-associated proteins, including GCAP1 and 2, PDE6b, AIPL1, PSD95, and CTBP1 indicates dysregulation of calcium homeostasis as a possible mechanism of retinal phenotype in Pilrb1/2−/− mice. Our studies suggest a novel function of PILRB in retinal photoreceptors and an association of PILRB, but not PILRA, with AMD pathogenesis.
Urea assimilation and oxidation support activity of phylogenetically diverse microbial communities of the dark ocean
Authors: Arandia-Gorostidi Nestor , Jaffe Alexander L , Parada Alma E , Kapili Bennett J , Casciotti Karen L , Salcedo Rebecca S R , Baumas Chloé M J , Dekas Anne E
Published: November 2024

Urea is hypothesized to be an important source of nitrogen and chemical energy to microorganisms in the deep sea; however, direct evidence for urea use below the epipelagic ocean is lacking. Here, we explore urea utilization from 50 to 4000 meters depth in the northeastern Pacific Ocean using metagenomics, nitrification rates, and single-cell stable-isotope-uptake measurements with nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry. We find that on average 25% of deep-sea cells assimilated urea-derived N (60% of detectably active cells), and that cell-specific nitrogen-incorporation rates from urea were higher than that from ammonium. Both urea concentrations and assimilation rates relative to ammonium generally increased below the euphotic zone. We detected ammonia- and urea-based nitrification at all depths at one of two sites analyzed, demonstrating their potential to support chemoautotrophy in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic regions. Using newly generated metagenomes we find that the ureC gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of urease, is found within 39% of deep-sea cells in this region, including the Nitrososphaeria (syn., Thaumarchaeota; likely for nitrification) as well as members of thirteen other phyla such as Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Plantomycetota, Nitrospinota, and Chloroflexota (likely for assimilation). Analysis of public metagenomes estimated ureC within 10–46% of deep-sea cells around the world, with higher prevalence below the photic zone, suggesting urea is widely available to the deep-sea microbiome globally. Our results demonstrate that urea is a nitrogen source to abundant and diverse microorganisms in the dark ocean, as well as a significant contributor to deep-sea nitrification and therefore fuel for chemoautotrophy.
Dose-dependent effect of spent coffee grounds on intake, apparent digestibility, fermentation pattern, methane emissions, microbial protein supply, and antioxidant status in Latxa sheep
Authors: Medjadbi Mounir , Garcia-Rodriguez Aser , Atxaerandio Raquel , Charef Salah Eddine , Picault Clea , Ibarruri Jone , Iñarra Bruno , San Martin David , Serrano-Pérez Beatriz , Martin-Alonso Maria José , Goiri Idoia
Published: November 2024

Spent coffee grounds (SCG), a byproduct rich in polyphenols, can form part of enteric CH4 mitigation strategies while promoting the circular economy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 3 levels of SCG inclusion in the concentrate on enteric CH4 production, feed intake, apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation pattern, microbial protein supply, and gene expression of immune and antioxidant markers in peripheral blood of dry dairy ewes. In a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, 8 nonproductive Latxa ewes were assigned to a concentrate that differed in the level of SCG: Control (0 g/kg DM), SCG100 (100 g/kg DM), SCG150 (150 g/kg DM) and SCG200 (200 g/kg DM). In each period, 14 d of adaptation were allowed, followed by 7 d in individual metabolic cages, and 3 d in respiratory chambers. To avoid a carry-over effect a minimum of 7 d were allotted between periods in which ewes consumed control concentrate and grass hay. Total organic matter intake (OMI) and CH4 emissions (g/d) presented a quadratic response (P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively) to increasing levels of SCG in the feed. However, when CH4 emissions were corrected for OMI, a linear decrease was observed with increasing levels of SCG in the concentrate (P = 0.009). This reduction in CH4 emissions (g/kg OMI) could be explained by the linear decrease (P = 0.034) observed in the apparent digestibility of organic matter (OM), particularly in crude protein (CP) and starch (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively), with increasing levels of SCG in the concentrate. No significant response was found on CH4 emissions corrected for digestible OM and on ruminal fermentation pattern. Regarding microbial protein supply, a linear increase in microbial protein supply efficiency (P = 0.008) was observed with increasing levels of SCG in the concentrate. Moreover, SCG inclusion linearly reduced interleukin 10 (P = 0.031), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (P = 0.007), nuclear factor kappa β (P = 0.014), superoxide dismutase 1 (P = 0.015) gene expression and tended to linearly reduce those of tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.074) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (P = 0.082). In conclusion, inclusion of SCG up to 200 g/kg in the concentrate did not modify ruminal fermentation pattern, but linearly reduced CH4 emissions per kg of OMI, due to a linear decrease in the apparent digestibility of CP and starch. Moreover, linearly increased the efficiency of microbial supply and improved sheep’s blood antioxidant-immune status.