bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Sentimento do Mundo” – On the Endless Battle for a Justice System
Authors: de Werd Marc
Published: July 2024

In the summer of 1787, New Yorkers were about to ratify a constitution for the US. In a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison between October 1787 and May 1788 urged New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, which was drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. The essays (commonly referred to as the Federalist Papers) were published anonymously, under the pen name “Publius,” in various New York state newspapers of the time. On May 28, 1788, Alexander Hamilton published Federalist 78, titled “The Judicial Department.” In this famous essay, he offered a powerful defense of judicial review. Hamilton argued that only a federal judge could guarantee constitutional rights and provide an effective check on state power. At the same time, Hamilton had to convince his political opponents that the unelected judiciary would never dominate the other branches of government. Drawing on the ideas of Montesquieu, he deliberately portrayed the judiciary as “the least dangerous branch of government”. A branch that is inherently weak because it can control neither the country’s financial resources nor the army.
Economic Growth & Resilience
Authors: Benczúr Péter , Kónya István
Published: July 2024

This chapter looks at the overall macroeconomic and social situation of the CEEE at the onset of Russia’s aggression on Ukraine and over the consecutive 18 months. Given its close proximity to the Covid-19 crisis, we interpret these shocks together as a twin crisis and draw parallels with the 2008-12 Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Unlike during the GFC, most of the CEEE seems to have recovered from the first phase (the Covid-19 shock) quickly. Under the surface, one can nevertheless discover important vulnerabilities and imbalances, in energy prices and supply security, the build-up of inflationary pressures and a decreased fiscal space. Though the status of the resilience capacities of the CEEE in early 2022 was still better than before the GFC, it was somewhat weaker than before the Covid-19 shock. Moreover, through their fossil energy imports, the CEEE had a substantial direct exposure to Russia. At the onset of the Ukraine shock, there were widespread fears of catastrophic consequences for industry, households in the winter, and further massive increases in energy prices. Such doomsday scenarios did not materialise, as European countries reacted more flexibly to both the quantity and price shock than anticipated. While in the majority of the CEEE the Ukrainian war lead to either a recession or a slowdown of the recovery from Covid, the recession is fairly shallow and seems to be mostly transitory. Overall, the main consequence of the war seems to be inflation, with a heterogeneous impact on the population. This may increase social pressures further, and coupled with increased societal polarisation, it may jeopardise the green transition. Finally, the war will have important geopolitical repercussions. With stronger geoeconomic and geopolitical competition, globalisation patterns may change, which will surely affect the CEEE that are highly integrated into the world economy.
Special representatives of complexified Kähler classes
Authors: Scarpa Carlo , Stoppa Jacopo
Published: July 2024

Motivated by constructions appearing in mirror symmetry, we study special representatives of complexified Kähler classes, which extend the notions of constant scalar curvature and extremal representatives for usual Kähler classes. In particular, we provide a moment map interpretation, discuss a possible correspondence with compactified Landau–Ginzburg models, and prove existence results for such special complexified Kähler forms and their large volume limits in certain toric cases.
Evaluating the effects of digital stromal vascular fraction injections in systemic sclerosis patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Nietlispach Viviane , Besmens Inga S. , Jordan Suzana , Distler Oliver , Calcagni Maurizio
Published: July 2024

Objective

Managing hand symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis is difficult, and the current treatments often provide only limited relief of. In 2014 a new treatment for theses patients was proposed for improving hand function, namely the digital injection of adipose tissue derived stem cells.

Methods

From 2015 to 2017 seven systemic sclerosis patients with an impaired hand function were treated with the aforesaid injections. A medical chart review was performed to collect pre- and postoperative patient specific data.

Results

Our findings indicated no significant improvement in nailfold capillaroscopic measurements or in the healing of preexisting digital ulcers. Additionally, patients reported a slight worsening in hand function after the treatment. However, we observed a decrease in the modified Rodnan skin score, which measures skin thickness Although previous research has verified the safety and feasibility of this treatment, we found no definitive evidence of its effectiveness.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the specific conditions under which this treatment could be beneficial need to be identified through randomized controlled trials involving larger groups of patients.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, therapeuticstudy.
Solving acoustic scattering problems by the isogeometric boundary element method
Authors: Dölz Jürgen , Harbrecht Helmut , Multerer Michael
Published: July 2024

We solve acoustic scattering problems by means of the isogeometric boundary integral equation method. In order to avoid spurious modes, we apply the combined field integral equations for either sound-hard scatterers or sound-soft scatterers. These integral equations are discretized by Galerkin’s method, which especially enables the mathematically correct regularization of the hypersingular integral operator. In order to circumvent densely populated system matrices, we employ the isogeometric embedded fast multipole method, which is based on interpolation of the kernel function under consideration on the reference domain, rather than in space. To overcome the prohibitive cost of the potential evaluation in case of many evaluation points, we also accelerate the potential evaluation by a fast multipole method which interpolates in space. The result is a frequency stable algorithm that scales essentially linear in the number of degrees of freedom and potential points. Numerical experiments are performed which show the feasibility and the performance of the approach.
Untersuchung einer Bronzespitze aus den Mallnitzer Tauern
Authors: Haubner Roland , Strobl Susanne
Published: July 2024

Von einem Bergwanderer wurde 1976 auf einem Weg in den Mallnitzer Tauern eine Bronzespitze gefunden. Da die Fundstelle bei einem bekannten Römerweg lag, wurde angenommen, dass es sich um ein Römisches Artefakt handelt.

Die metallographische Untersuchung ergab, dass die Bronze eine hohe Porosität aufweist, was vermutlich auf Gasentwicklung durch Sauerstoff oder Wasserstoff zurückzuführen ist. Die Spitze ist korrodiert, und das ursprüngliche Metall hat einen Sn Gehalt von etwa 4 Gew.%.

Die Bronze ist dendritisch erstarrt und zeigt in den interdendritischen Bereichen geringe Cu2S Ausscheidungen. In den korrodierten Bereichen wurde eine übliche Anreicherung von Sn festgestellt.
A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of complete decongestive therapy in the treatment of unilateral breast cancer–related lymphedema with and without metabolic syndrome
Authors: Pirincci Cansu Sahbaz , Mete Oguzhan , Yasa Mustafa Ertugrul , Dalyan Meltem
Published: July 2024

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the limb volume and quality of life (QoL) of patients who underwent complex decongestive therapy (CDT) due to unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).

Methods

Forty female patients with unilateral BCRL, of whom 20 had MetS (MetS group) and 20 did not have MetS (control group), were included in the study. The participants received CDT 5 days a week for 3 weeks. The participants’ limb volume (percentage of excess volume (PEV) and percentage reduction of excess volume (PREV) was determined using a tape measure, and their QoL was assessed using the Lymphedema Quality of Life questionnaire (LYMQoL) before and after treatment.

Results

After the treatment, the PEV and PREV values and LYMQoL-symptoms scores of the patients improved (p < 0.05); however, the LYMQoL-function, appearance/body image, mood/emotions, and overall QoL scores did not change in the MetS group (p > 0.05). In the control group, the PEV and PREV values and the LYMQoL-appearance/body image, mood/emotions, and overall QoL scores improved (p < 0.05), but the LYMQoL-symptoms and LYMQoL-function scores did not change (p > 0.05). There was a greater increase in the post-treatment PEV and PREV values of the control group compared to the MetS group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The study yielded that CDT was an effective treatment in BCRL with and without MetS; however, the improvement was greater in BCRL cases without MetS than in those with MetS. Therefore, the presence of MetS should be taken into account in the treatment of lymphedema in patients who develop BCRL.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05426993. Registered 2022–06-16. https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=NCT05426993
Quasilinear elliptic problem in anisotropic Orlicz–Sobolev space on unbounded domain
Authors: Wroński Karol
Published: July 2024

We study a quasilinear elliptic problem

$$-\text {div} (\nabla \Phi (\nabla u))+V(x)N'(u)=f(u)$$

-
div

(
∇
Φ

(
∇
u
)

)

+
V

(
x
)

N
′

(
u
)

=
f

(
u
)

with anisotropic convex function

$$\Phi $$

Φ

on the whole

$$\mathbb {R}^n$$

R

n

. To prove existence of a nontrivial weak solution we use the mountain pass theorem for a functional defined on anisotropic Orlicz–Sobolev space

$${{{\,\mathrm{\textbf{W}}\,}}^1}{{\,\mathrm{\textbf{L}}\,}}^{{\Phi }} (\mathbb {R}^n)$$

W

1

L

Φ

(

R

n

)

. As the domain is unbounded we need to use Lions type lemma formulated for Young functions. Our assumptions broaden the class of considered functions

$$\Phi $$

Φ

so our result generalizes earlier analogous results proved in isotropic setting.
Characterization of TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofiber From Biowaste and Its Influence on Molecular Behavior of Fluorescent Rhodamine B Dye in Aqueous Suspensions
Authors: Kaya Mehmet
Published: July 2024

Cellulose nanofiber (CNFs) obtained through TEMPO oxidation was structurally characterized using FT-IR (Fourier Transformed Infrared) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) spectroscopy. The molecular aggregation and spectroscopic properties of Rhodamine B (Rh-B) in CNFs suspension were investigated using molecular absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The interaction between CNFs particles in the aqueous suspension and the cationic dye compound was examined in comparison to its behavior in deionized water. This interaction led to significant changes in the spectral features of Rh-B, resulting in an increase in the presence of H-dimer and H-aggregate in CNFs suspension. The H-type aggregates of Rh-B in CNFs suspensions were defined by the observation of a blue-shifted absorption band compared to that of the monomer. Even at diluted dye concentrations, the formation of Rh-B’s H-aggregate was observed in CNFs suspension. The pronounced aggregation in suspensions originated from the strong interaction between negatively charged carboxylate ions and the dye. The aggregation behavior was discussed with deconvoluted absorption spectra. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies revealed a significant reduction in the fluorescence intensity of the dye in CNFs suspension due to H-aggregates. Furthermore, the presence of H-aggregates in the suspensions caused a decrease in the quantum yield of Rh-B compared to that in deionized water.
Efficient iterative procedures for approximating fixed points of contractive-type mappings with applications
Authors: Sharma Puneet , Ramos Higinio , Kanwar Vinay , Behl Ramandeep , Rajput Mithil
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces and analyzes some new highly efficient iterative procedures for approximating fixed points of contractive-type mappings. The stability, data dependence, strong convergence, and performance of the proposed schemes are addressed. Numerical examples demonstrate that the newly introduced schemes produce approximations of great accuracy and comparable to other similar robust schemes appeared in the literature. Nevertheless, all the schemes developed here are more efficient than other robust schemes used for comparison.
Five novel Curvularia species (Pleosporaceae, Pleosporales) isolated from fairy circles in the Namib desert
Authors: van Vuuren Nicole , Yilmaz Neriman , Wingfield Michael J. , Visagie Cobus M.
Published: July 2024

The Namib Desert (Namibia) is home to fairy circles which are barren, circular to almost-circular patches of land surrounded by grasses. During a survey of the fungi associated with the most common grass species, Stipagrostis ciliata (Poaceae), and its rhizospheric soils associated with these fairy circles, Curvularia was commonly isolated (80 strains). Curvularia is a cosmopolitan fungal genus that occurs in diverse geographical locations and on a wide range of substrates, but particularly on foliar plants. Curvularia strains were identified based on multilocus sequence comparisons of their internal transcribed spacer rDNA region (ITS), and the partial gene regions of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1). The strains belonged to 13 species, including the discovery of five novel Curvularia species. The aim of this paper was to report on the identified species and to formally describe and name the new species as C. deserticola, C. gobabebensis, C. maraisii, C. namibensis, and C. stipagrostidicola.
Superconductivity in a New High-Entropy Alloy (NbTi)$$_{0.67}$$(MoHfV)$$_{0.33}$$
Authors: Nowak Wojciech , Rusin Bartosz , Babij Michał , Topolnicki Rafał , Ossowski Tomasz , Pikul Adam , Idczak Rafał
Published: July 2024

The structural and superconducting properties of a new niobium- and titanium-rich high-entropy alloy (NbTi)$$_{\text {0.67}}$$

0.67

(MoHfV)$$_{\text {0.33}}$$

0.33

were determined. The alloy was synthesized by arc melting and its physical properties were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, magnetization, electrical resistivity and specific heat measurements. Experimental data revealed that the (NbTi)$$_{\text {0.67}}$$

0.67

(MoHfV)$$_{\text {0.33}}$$

0.33

crystalizes in body-centered cubic structure and exhibits type-II superconductivity below about 5 K. In addition, electronic structure calculations were performed using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. Their results suggest that in case of HEAs, the influence of the local atomic configuration on their electronic structure in the energy region close to E$$_{\mathrm {\text {F}}}$$

F

is rather small or even negligible.
Brauer and Geršgorin Locations of Zeros of Perturbed Chebyshev Polynomials of the Second Kind by Dilation
Authors: da Rocha Zélia
Published: July 2024

We consider some perturbations of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind obtained by modifying by dilation one of its recurrence coefficients at an arbitrary order. By applying Brauer and Geršgorin theorems to Jacobi matrices associated with such perturbed sequences we obtain some locations of their zeros.
Remote ischemic conditioning prevents ischemic cerebrovascular events in children with moyamoya disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Huang Shuang-Feng , Xu Jia-Li , Ren Chang-Hong , Sim Nathan , Han Cong , Han Yi-Qin , Zhao Wen-Bo , Ding Yu-Chuan , Ji Xun-Ming , Li Si-Jie
Published: July 2024

Background

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a significant cause of childhood stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in children with MMD.

Methods

In a single-center pilot study, 46 MMD patients aged 4 to 14 years, with no history of reconstructive surgery, were randomly assigned to receive either RIC or sham RIC treatment twice daily for a year. The primary outcome measured was the cumulative incidence of major adverse cerebrovascular events (MACEs). Secondary outcomes included ischemic stroke, recurrent TIA, hemorrhagic stroke, revascularization rates, and clinical improvement assessed using the patient global impression of change (PGIC) scale during follow-up. RIC-related adverse events were also recorded, and cerebral hemodynamics were evaluated using transcranial Doppler.

Results

All 46 patients completed the final follow-up (23 each in the RIC and sham RIC groups). No severe adverse events associated with RIC were observed. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated a significant reduction in MACEs frequency after RIC treatment [log-rank test (Mantel–Cox), P = 0.021]. At 3-year follow-up, two (4.35%) patients had an ischemic stroke, four (8.70%) experienced TIAs, and two (4.35%) underwent revascularization as the qualifying MACEs. The clinical improvement rate in the RIC group was higher than the sham RIC group on the PGIC scale (65.2% vs. 26.1%, P < 0.01). No statistical difference in cerebral hemodynamics post-treatment was observed.

Conclusions

RIC is a safe and effective adjunct therapy for asymptomatic children with MMD. This was largely due to the reduced incidence of ischemic cerebrovascular events.

Graphical abstract
Enhancing optical modulator and link performance through modulation instability: design, simulation and implementation
Authors: shirpay Ali , Zarezadeh Esmail
Published: July 2024

In future optical communication applications, broadband tools and technologies are essential for increasing transfer and processing speeds. Conventional microwave tools are too slow and inflexible to meet these demands. Photonic microwave technology offers that most current solution to this issue, utilizing modulation tools to convert microwave signals to the optical domain. However, these modulation tools face significant challenges, including low bandwidth and high voltage requirements. Although various methods have been proposed in recent decades to address these issues, most increase structural complexity and cost without significantly improving modulator performance and bandwidth. In this article, by using a modulation instability in optical fibers, without manipulating and complicating the structure of the modulator and only by using common modulators, their bandwidth was multiplied and the required voltage was significantly reduced. Finally, a special fiber channel was designed, which showed a much better performance.
Sustainable Living: Young Adults Prolonging the Material Life Cycle of Objects Through the Appreciation of Used Furniture, Interiors, and Building Design
Authors: Varpa Jani , Autio Minna , Autio Jaakko
Published: July 2024

Young adults acquire furniture from retail stores, second-hand shops, flea markets, and online marketplaces; they also inherit items from family members. While scholars have focused on consumers who acquire second-hand objects and appreciate inherited furniture, limited attention has been paid to the meanings of second-hand and inherited objects as elements of sustainable home interior decoration. Based on qualitative data, we analyze how young adults living in three northern European cities value used interior-decoration objects and how this enhances sustainable ways of using goods. Our study shows that young people appreciate architectural structures and interior-design aesthetics as well as inherited and recycled items in their homemaking. The building and home-decor style of the era shape the way consumers acquire used interior-design materials and objects. Moreover, young adults engage with inherited and purchased second-hand furniture by incorporating narratives about social ties during their acquisition. The durability of materials is valued in both inherited and second-hand furniture. Thus, young adults prolong the life spans of home-decor items, and they contribute to a sustainable, low-speed circular economy linked to homemaking.
A nonlinear optimal control approach for 3-DOF four-cable driven parallel robots
Authors: Rigatos G. , Abbaszadeh M. , Pomares J.
Published: July 2024

In this article, a nonlinear optimal control approach is proposed for the dynamic model of 3-DOF four-cable driven parallel robots (CDPR). To solve the associated nonlinear optimal control problem, the dynamic model of the 3-DOF cable-driven parallel robot undergoes approximate linearization around a temporary operating point that is recomputed at each time-step of the control method. The linearization relies on Taylor series expansion and on the associated Jacobian matrices. For the linearized state-space model of the 3-DOF cable-driven parallel robot a stabilizing optimal (H-infinity) feedback controller is designed. To compute the controller’s feedback gains an algebraic Riccati equation is repetitively solved at each iteration of the control algorithm. The stability properties of the control method are proven through Lyapunov analysis. The proposed nonlinear optimal control approach achieves fast and accurate tracking of reference setpoints under moderate variations of the control inputs and a minimum dispersion of energy.
Adsorption of Red 141 and methylene blue by cuttlebone: experimental and molecular dynamics study
Authors: Aarfane Abdellatif , Bensemlali Meryem , Byadi Said , Hatimi Badreddine , Baraket Abdoullatif , El Alami El Hassani Nadia , Bakasse Mina , Nasrellah Hamid
Published: July 2024

The current study explores the removal of two organic dyes: Reactive Red 141, an anionic dye, and Methylene Blue, a cationic one, via adsorption onto a novel animal-derived biomaterial known as Cuttlebone (Sepia Officinalis). Before conducting experiments, an analysis of the biomaterial was performed. Subsequently, a sequence of experiments was undertaken to investigate the impact of different parameters on adsorption capacity. These parameters included mass of the adsorbent, pH level, duration of contact, and initial concentration of the dye. Findings indicate that Cuttlebone exhibits a more pronounced adsorption affinity for the anionic dye Reactive Red 141 compared to the cationic dye Methylene Blue (MB). The examination of adsorption isotherms for the respective adsorbent/adsorbate systems reveals that the adsorption behavior differs. Specifically, the adsorption of Red 141 on Cuttlebone conforms to the Langmuir model, while the uptake of MB on Cuttlebone shows a superior agreement with the Freundlich model. A peak adsorption capacity of 129.87 mg/g was noted for Red 141, while for MB, it was observed to be 23.86 mg/g. To elucidate the mechanism, the adsorptive characteristics of Red 141 and MB were validated using various methods, including Monte Carlo simulation (MC) and Molecular Dynamics simulation (MD). The results of MC and MD modeling demonstrate that Red 141 is significantly adsorbed onto calcium carbonate via the chemisorption phenomenon.

Graphical abstract
Unmet Expectations, Unmet Needs, and Uncertainty–A Qualitative Survey Study of Women Who Described Giving Birth as Traumatic
Authors: Pavlenko Tonya , Nathan Lillien , Yom Ellen , Stachnik Agnes , Yarrow Allison , Rubin Lisa
Published: July 2024

Abstract: Traumatic childbirth can have wide-ranging consequences for birthing individuals. Data were obtained from a large-scale ( N = 1,210) online survey of perinatal experiences in the United States. Utilizing a Reproductive Justice framework, we analyzed open-ended responses regarding the most difficult aspects of pregnancy and childbirth from 54 participants who solely identified their births as traumatic. We identified the following themes: Mental and Emotional Toll; The Toll of Relentless Work Expectations; The Embodied Toll; Complications and Interventions; Loss of Control: Bodily Autonomy; and Loss of Control: Interactions with Medical Systems and Professionals. Results underscore the inadequacy of perinatal support in the United States, highlighting the imperative to address policy and research to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Good Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality.
Uncovering Reproductive Injustice Toward Women With Disabilities
Authors: Pacheco Laura , Mercerat Coralie , Aunos Marjorie , Cousineau Marie-Marthe , Goulden Ami , Swab Michelle , Brenton Bethany , Moyo Sibusiso
Published: July 2024

Abstract: For centuries, the reproductive agency of women with disabilities have been challenged and often undermined by informal and formal support networks. Evidence illustrates that women with disabilities face disproportionately higher rates of reproductive violence compared to their nondisabled peers (i.e., long-term contraception or forced sterilization). However, little is known about the specific nature, type, and impact of reproductive violence on women with disabilities. This scoping review examined the literature related to the reproductive violence against women with disabilities. We used Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, and based on our inclusion criteria, 28 empirical articles were included. Most studies were published in the disciplines of health (i.e., nursing and medicine) within the North American context and used qualitative research designs. Main findings within the scoping review included themes related to imposed contraception, rationalization of sterilization, barriers to sexual and reproductive health services, and the discourses underpinning reproductive injustice toward women with disabilities. The findings of the study have implications for future disability community-based research, peer-led supports, practice guidelines for professionals, and intersectoral policy provision aiming at supporting the reproductive agency of women with disabilities.
Activation of the osteoblastic HIF-1α pathway partially alleviates the symptoms of STZ-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus via RegIIIγ
Authors: Qiu Minglong , Chang Leilei , Tang Guoqing , Ye Wenkai , Xu Yiming , Tulufu Nijiati , Dan Zhou , Qi Jin , Deng Lianfu , Li Changwei
Published: July 2024

The hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway coordinates skeletal bone homeostasis and endocrine functions. Activation of the HIF-1α pathway increases glucose uptake by osteoblasts, which reduces blood glucose levels. However, it is unclear whether activating the HIF-1α pathway in osteoblasts can help normalize glucose metabolism under diabetic conditions through its endocrine function. In addition to increasing bone mass and reducing blood glucose levels, activating the HIF-1α pathway by specifically knocking out Von Hippel‒Lindau (Vhl) in osteoblasts partially alleviated the symptoms of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), including increased glucose clearance in the diabetic state, protection of pancreatic β cell from STZ-induced apoptosis, promotion of pancreatic β cell proliferation, and stimulation of insulin secretion. Further screening of bone-derived factors revealed that islet regeneration-derived protein III gamma (RegIIIγ) is an osteoblast-derived hypoxia-sensing factor critical for protection against STZ-induced T1DM. In addition, we found that iminodiacetic acid deferoxamine (SF-DFO), a compound that mimics hypoxia and targets bone tissue, can alleviate symptoms of STZ-induced T1DM by activating the HIF-1α-RegIIIγ pathway in the skeleton. These data suggest that the osteoblastic HIF-1α-RegIIIγ pathway is a potential target for treating T1DM.
New device for assessment of endothelial function: plethysmographic flow-mediated vasodilation (pFMD)
Authors: Kishimoto Shinji , Hashimoto Yu , Maruhashi Tatsuya , Kajikawa Masato , Mizobuchi Aya , Harada Takahiro , Yamaji Takayuki , Nakano Yukiko , Goto Chikara , Yusoff Farina Mohamad , Iwanaga Yoshitaka , Kanaoka Koshiro , Yada Tomohiko , Itarashiki Tomomasa , Higashi Yukihito
Published: July 2024

Measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in the brachial artery by using ultrasound is a well-established technique for evaluating endothelial function. To make the measurement quicker and simpler than the measurements of conventional ultrasound FMD (uFMD), we have developed a new noninvasive method, plethysmographic FMD (pFMD), to assess vascular response to reactive hyperemia in the brachial artery. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of measurement of pFMD in comparison to that of measurement of conventional uFMD. This study was a multi-center, cross-sectional study. We compared pFMD by a new device using cuff pressure and volume with conventional uFMD using ultrasound in 50 men (mean age, 41 ± 9 years). pFMD significantly correlated with conventional uFMD (β = 0.59, P < 0.001). In Bland–Altman plot analysis of pFMD and conventional uFMD, the mean difference of pFMD and conventional uFMD was 0.78%, and limits of agreement (mean difference ±2 standard deviations of the difference) ranged from −4.53% to 6.11%. We demonstrated validity of the new method for measurement of pFMD, which can automate the evaluation of endothelial function in a short time. Measurement of pFMD is simpler than measurement of conventional uFMD and may have reduced artificial bias compared to that of conventional uFMD measurement (URL for Clinical Trial: https://ethics.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/site/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/eki_giji20221213.pdf. Registration Number for Clinical Trial: E2022-0131).
A DNA robotic switch with regulated autonomous display of cytotoxic ligand nanopatterns
Authors: Wang Yang , Baars Igor , Berzina Ieva , Rocamonde-Lago Iris , Shen Boxuan , Yang Yunshi , Lolaico Marco , Waldvogel Janine , Smyrlaki Ioanna , Zhu Keying , Harris Robert A. , Högberg Björn
Published: July 2024

The clustering of death receptors (DRs) at the membrane leads to apoptosis. With the goal of treating tumours, multivalent molecular tools that initiate this mechanism have been developed. However, DRs are also ubiquitously expressed in healthy tissue. Here we present a stimuli-responsive robotic switch nanodevice that can autonomously and selectively turn on the display of cytotoxic ligand patterns in tumour microenvironments. We demonstrate a switchable DNA origami that normally hides six ligands but displays them as a hexagonal pattern 10 nm in diameter once under higher acidity. This can effectively cluster DRs and trigger apoptosis of human breast cancer cells at pH 6.5 while remaining inert at pH 7.4. When administered to mice bearing human breast cancer xenografts, this nanodevice decreased tumour growth by up to 70%. The data demonstrate the feasibility and opportunities for developing ligand pattern switches as a path for targeted treatment.
Analytical solutions for cavity contraction in strain-softening materials with linear or exponential strength decay
Authors: Anthi Maria , Pferdekämper Thomas , Anagnostou Georgios
Published: July 2024

This paper presents an analytical investigation into the contraction of spherical and cylindrical cavities excavated in strain-softening rock masses obeying the Mohr–Coulomb or Tresca yield criterion, with linear or exponential uniaxial compressive strength decay. The derivation of the ground response curves is based on the simplifying assumption that the strains inside the plastic zone are completely plastic. This significantly simplifies the mathematical formulation, enabling the derivation of closed-form solutions. An alternative simplifying approach which partially neglects the elastic strains inside the plastic zone and which is commonly adopted in the literature, is also examined. The accuracy of the simplified solutions is evaluated by comparing their predictions with rigorous solutions obtained by numerical finite-difference analyses. The investigation demonstrates that the proposed closed-form solutions represent a significant improvement on those based on the commonly-made simplifying assumption involving partial neglect of elastic strains.
Revealing the antipolar order in the antiferroelectric SmZA phase by means of circular alignment
Authors: Nacke Pierre , Tuffin Rachel , Klasen-Memmer Melanie , Rudquist Per , Giesselmann Frank
Published: July 2024

Many ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals, like one of the archetype materials, DIO, do not have a direct paraelectric N to ferroelectric NF phase transition, but exhibit yet another phase between N and NF. This phase has recently been proposed to be antiferroelectric, with a layered structure of alternating polarization normal to the average director and is sometimes referred to as Smectic ZA (SmZA). We have examined the SmZA phase in circularly rubbed (CR) cells, known to discriminate between the polar NF and the non-polar N phase from the configuration of disclination lines formed. We find that the ground state of SmZA has the same disclination configuration as the non-polar N phase, demonstrating that the SmZA phase is also non-polar, i.e., it has no net ferroelectric polarization. At the same time, the SmZA texture generally has a grainy appearance, which we suggest is partly a result of the frustration related to layered order combined with the imposed twist in CR cells. We discuss possible orientations of the smectic layers, depending on the alignment conditions. While a horizontal SmZA layer structure is always compatible with surface-induced twist, a vertical layer structure would tend to break up in a twisted bookshelf structure to match non-parallel alignment directions at the two surfaces.
Reduction in lower urinary tract mucosal microtrauma as an effect of reducing eyelet sizes of intermittent urinary catheters
Authors: Willumsen Andreas , Reza Tabasum , Schertiger Lars , Bagi Per , Kennelly Michael , Nielsen Lene Feldskov
Published: July 2024

Intermittent catheterization (IC) utilizing conventional eyelets catheters (CECs) for bladder drainage has long been the standard of care. However, when the tissue of the lower urinary tract comes in close proximity to the eyelets, mucosal suction often occurs, resulting in microtrauma. This study investigates the impact of replacing conventional eyelets with a drainage zone featuring multiple micro-holes, distributing pressure over a larger area. Lower pressures limit the suction of surrounding tissue into these micro-holes, significantly reducing tissue microtrauma. Using an ex vivo model replicating the intra-abdominal pressure conditions of the bladder, the intra-catheter pressure was measured during drainage. When mucosal suction occurred, intra-catheter images were recorded. Subsequently affected tissue samples were investigated histologically. The negative pressure peaks caused by mucosal suction were found to be very high for the CECs, leading to exfoliation of the bladder urothelium and breakage of the urothelial barrier. However, a micro-hole zone catheter (MHZC) with a multi-eyelet drainage zone showed significantly lower pressure peaks, with over 4 times lower peak intensity, thus inducing far less extensive microtraumas. Limiting or even eliminating mucosal suction and resulting tissue microtrauma may contribute to safer catheterizations in vivo and increased patient comfort and compliance.
Prognostic relevance of high expression of kynurenine pathway markers in glioblastoma
Authors: Jacquerie Arnaud , Hoeben Ann , Eekers Daniëlle B. P. , Postma Alida A. , Vanmechelen Maxime , de Smet Frederik , Ackermans Linda , Anten Monique , Severens Kim , zur Hausen Axel , Broen Martinus P. G. , Beckervordersandforth Jan
Published: July 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) continues to exhibit a discouraging survival rate despite extensive research into new treatments. One factor contributing to its poor prognosis is the tumor's immunosuppressive microenvironment, in which the kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a significant role. This study aimed to explore how KP impacts the survival of newly diagnosed GBM patients. We examined tissue samples from 108 GBM patients to assess the expression levels of key KP markers—tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1/2), and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Using immunohistochemistry and QuPath software, three tumor cores were analyzed per patient to evaluate KP marker expression. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and stepwise multivariate Cox regression were used to determine the effect of these markers on patient survival. Results showed that patients with high expression of TDO2, IDO1/2, and AhR had significantly shorter survival times. This finding held true even when controlling for other known prognostic variables, with a hazard ratio of 3.393 for IDO1, 2.775 for IDO2, 1.891 for TDO2, and 1.902 for AhR. We suggest that KP markers could serve as useful tools for patient stratification, potentially guiding future immunomodulating trials and personalized treatment approaches for GBM patients.
Fast and efficient isolation of murine circulating tumor cells using screencell technology for pre-clinical analyzes
Authors: Ye Fei , Wechsler Janine , Bouzidi Amira , Uzan Georges , Naserian Sina
Published: July 2024

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a rare and heterogeneous population of cancer cells that are detached from the tumor site and entered blood or lymphatic circulation. Once disseminated in distant tissues, CTCs could remain dormant or create a tumor mass causing serious danger for patients. Many technologies exist to isolate CTCs from patients’ blood samples, mostly based on microfluidic systems or by sorting them according to their surface antigens, notably EpCAM, and/or cytokeratins for carcinoma. ScreenCell has developed an easy-to-use, antigen-independent, rapid, cost-effective, and efficient technology that isolates CTCs according to their bigger size compared to the blood cells. This study provides the technical information necessary to isolate and characterize CTCs from mouse blood. By using blood samples from transgenic mice with breast cancer or from WT mice in which we spiked cancer cells, we showed that ScreenCell technology is compatible with standard EDTA blood collection tubes. Furthermore, the ScreenCell Cyto kit could treat up to 500 µl and the ScreenCell MB kit up to 200 µl of mouse blood. As the ScreenCell MB kit captures unaltered live CTCs, we have shown that their DNA could be efficiently extracted, and the isolated cells could be grown in culture. In conclusion, ScreenCell provides a rapid, easy, antigen-independent, cost-effective, and efficient technology to isolate and characterize CTCs from the blood samples of cancer patients and murine models. Thanks to this technology CTCs could be captured fixed or alive. Murine cancer models are extensively used in pre-clinical studies. Therefore, this study demonstrates the crucial technical points necessary while manipulating mouse blood samples using ScreenCell technology.
Rapid evolution of colistin resistance in a bioreactor model of infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Jiménez-Castellanos Juan-Carlos , Waclaw Bartlomiej , Meynert Alison , McAteer Sean P. , Schneiders Thamarai
Published: July 2024

Colistin remains an important antibiotic for the therapeutic management of drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Despite the numerous reports of colistin resistance in clinical strains, it remains unclear exactly when and how different mutational events arise resulting in reduced colistin susceptibility. Using a bioreactor model of infection, we modelled the emergence of colistin resistance in a susceptible isolate of K. pneumoniae. Genotypic, phenotypic and mathematical analyses of the antibiotic-challenged and un-challenged population indicates that after an initial decline, the population recovers within 24 h due to a small number of “founder cells” which have single point mutations mainly in the regulatory genes encoding crrB and pmrB that when mutated results in up to 100-fold reduction in colistin susceptibility. Our work underlines the rapid development of colistin resistance during treatment or exposure of susceptible K. pneumoniae infections having implications for the use of cationic antimicrobial peptides as a monotherapy.
Predicting creative behavior using resting-state electroencephalography
Authors: Chhade Fatima , Tabbal Judie , Paban Véronique , Auffret Manon , Hassan Mahmoud , Vérin Marc
Published: July 2024

Neuroscience research has shown that specific brain patterns can relate to creativity during multiple tasks but also at rest. Nevertheless, the electrophysiological correlates of a highly creative brain remain largely unexplored. This study aims to uncover resting-state networks related to creative behavior using high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) and to test whether the strength of functional connectivity within these networks could predict individual creativity in novel subjects. We acquired resting state HD-EEG data from 90 healthy participants who completed a creative behavior inventory. We then employed connectome-based predictive modeling; a machine-learning technique that predicts behavioral measures from brain connectivity features. Using a support vector regression, our results reveal functional connectivity patterns related to high and low creativity, in the gamma frequency band (30-45 Hz). In leave-one-out cross-validation, the combined model of high and low networks predicts individual creativity with very good accuracy (r = 0.36, p = 0.00045). Furthermore, the model’s predictive power is established through external validation on an independent dataset (N = 41), showing a statistically significant correlation between observed and predicted creativity scores (r = 0.35, p = 0.02). These findings reveal large-scale networks that could predict creative behavior at rest, providing a crucial foundation for developing HD-EEG-network-based markers of creativity.
Nucleoporin Elys attaches peripheral chromatin to the nuclear pores in interphase nuclei
Authors: Doronin Semen A. , Ilyin Artem A. , Kononkova Anna D. , Solovyev Mikhail A. , Olenkina Oxana M. , Nenasheva Valentina V. , Mikhaleva Elena A. , Lavrov Sergey A. , Ivannikova Anna Y. , Simonov Ruslan A. , Fedotova Anna A. , Khrameeva Ekaterina E. , Ulianov Sergey V. , Razin Sergey V. , Shevelyov Yuri Y.
Published: July 2024

Transport of macromolecules through the nuclear envelope (NE) is mediated by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) consisting of nucleoporins (Nups). Elys/Mel-28 is the Nup that binds and connects the decondensing chromatin with the reassembled NPCs at the end of mitosis. Whether Elys links chromatin with the NE during interphase is unknown. Here, using DamID-seq, we identified Elys binding sites in Drosophila late embryos and divided them into those associated with nucleoplasmic or with NPC-linked Elys. These Elys binding sites are located within active or inactive chromatin, respectively. Strikingly, Elys knockdown in S2 cells results in peripheral chromatin displacement from the NE, in decondensation of NE-attached chromatin, and in derepression of genes within. It also leads to slightly more compact active chromatin regions. Our findings indicate that NPC-linked Elys, together with the nuclear lamina, anchors peripheral chromatin to the NE, whereas nucleoplasmic Elys decompacts active chromatin.
An immune-adrenergic pathway induces lethal levels of platelet-activating factor in mice
Authors: Tanaka Shuto , Kawakita Masataka , Yasui Hikaru , Sudo Koichi , Itoh Fumie , Sasaki Masato , Shibata Nobuyuki , Hara Hiromitsu , Iwakura Yoichiro , Hashidate-Yoshida Tomomi , Shindou Hideo , Shimizu Takao , Oyama Taiki , Matsunaga Himawari , Takahara Kazuhiko
Published: July 2024

Acute immune responses with excess production of cytokines, lipid/chemical mediators, or coagulation factors, often result in lethal damage. In addition, the innate immune system utilizes multiple types of receptors that recognize neurotransmitters as well as pathogen-associated molecular patterns, making immune responses complex and clinically unpredictable. We here report an innate immune and adrenergic link inducing lethal levels of platelet-activating factor. Injecting mice with toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cell wall N-glycans of Candida albicans, and the α2-adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) agonist medetomidine induces lethal damage. Knocking out the C-type lectin Dectin-2 prevents the lethal damage. In spleen, large amounts of platelet-activating factor (PAF) are detected, and knocking out lysophospholipid acyltransferase 9 (LPLAT9/LPCAT2), which encodes an enzyme that converts inactive lyso-PAF to active PAF, protects mice from the lethal damage. These results reveal a linkage/crosstalk between the nervous and the immune system, possibly inducing lethal levels of PAF.
Synchronization of non-weakly coupled aeroelastic oscillators
Authors: Shenhav Feigin Doron , Shoshani Oriel
Published: July 2024

Synchronized oscillators are ubiquitous in nature and engineering. Despite several models that have been proposed to treat synchronized oscillators beyond weak coupling, the widely accepted paradigm holds that synchronization occurs due to weak interactions between oscillating objects, hence limiting the predictive power of such models to the weak coupling limit. Here, we report a theoretical modeling and experimental observation of a synchronized pair of non-weakly coupled aeroelastic oscillators. We find quantitative agreement between the experiments and our theoretical higher-order phase model of non-weak coupling. Our results establish that synchronization experiments can be accurately reproduced and interpreted by theoretical modeling of non-weakly coupled oscillators, extending the range of validity and prediction power of theoretical phase models beyond the weak coupling limit.
Predicting plastron thermodynamic stability for underwater superhydrophobicity
Authors: Tesler Alexander B. , Nurmi Heikki A. , Kolle Stefan , Prado Lucia H. , Karunakaran Bhuvaneshwari , Mazare Anca , Erceg Ina , de Brito Soares Íris , Sarau George , Christiansen Silke , Stafslien Shane , Alvarenga Jack , Aizenberg Joanna , Fabry Ben , Ras Robin H. A. , Goldmann Wolfgang H.
Published: July 2024

Non-wettable surfaces, especially those capable of passively trapping air in rough protrusions, can provide surface resilience to the detrimental effects of wetting-related phenomena. However, the development of such superhydrophobic surfaces with a long-lasting entrapped air layer, called plastron, is hampered by the lack of evaluation criteria and methods that can unambiguously distinguish between stable and metastable Cassie-Baxter wetting regimes. The information to evaluate the stability of the wetting regime is missing from the commonly used contact angle goniometry. Therefore, it is necessary to determine which surface features can be used as a signature to identify thermodynamically stable plastron. Here, we describe a methodology for evaluating the thermodynamic underwater stability of the Cassie-Baxter wetting regime of superhydrophobic surfaces by measuring the surface roughness, solid-liquid area fraction, and Young’s contact angle. The method allowed the prediction of passive plastron stability for over one year of continuous submersion, the impeding of mussel and barnacle adhesion, and inhibition of metal corrosion in seawater. Such submersion-stable superhydrophobicity, in which water is repelled by a stable passive air layer trapped between the solid substrate and the surrounding liquid for extended periods at ambient conditions, opens new avenues for science and technologies that require continuous contact of solids with aqueous media.