bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular changes in skeletal muscle in chronic kidney disease: A systematic review
Authors: Wong Limy , Kenny Rachel , Howard Jennifer , McMahon Lawrence P.
Published: December 2023

Background

Loss of skeletal muscle mass is prevalent among patients affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The underlying molecular pathogenesis has yet to be fully understood. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current evidence on molecular changes in the skeletal muscle of humans and rodents with CKD and to assess the strength of such evidence.

Methods

The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched using three main themes: messenger ribonucleic acid/protein/microRNA expression, skeletal muscle and CKD. This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) standards.

Results

A total of 98 studies were included in the systematic review, comprising 26 prospective human clinical studies, four human and rodent studies, and 68 rodent‐only studies (32 mouse and 36 rat models respectively). The sample sizes of human studies were largely small (40% of studies had ≤20 participants). Qualitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was the most commonly used method for gene expression and none of the studies fulfilled the Minimum Information for Publication of qPCR Experiments criteria for quality assessment. Majority of the studies investigated only a few genes or a specific signalling pathway. FBXO32, TRIM63, MSTN, IL6, TNF and IGF1 were the most investigated genes. The identified differentially expressed genes and proteins belonged to eight major pathways, including apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, insulin/insulin‐like growth factor 1 signalling, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, muscle cell growth and differentiation, and protein degradation, similar to other chronic disease states.

Conclusions

The current evidence regarding molecular alterations in the skeletal muscle in CKD is largely derived from small and heterogenous studies. Markedly similar modifications in the major biological pathways between CKD and other chronic diseases supports shared deleterious molecular mechanisms producing muscle atrophy, irrespective of the underlying specific disease.
Pharmacological inhibition of IRAK4 kinase activity does not prevent cachexia in mice with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Qiao Shuxi , LaViolette Brianna , Paulhus Brianna LaCarubba , Li Xiangping , Litchfield John , Li Zhenhong , Stansfield John C. , Gieseck Richard L. , Zhang Bei B. , Breen Danna M.
Published: December 2023

Background

Inflammation is a hallmark of cachexia; however, effective anti‐inflammatory treatments have not yet been identified. Interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a key signalling node linking interleukin‐1 receptor (IL‐1R) and toll‐like receptor (TLR) activation to the production of multiple proinflammatory cytokines that are elevated in cancer cachexia. The purpose of this work is to evaluate whether pharmacological inhibition of IRAK4 kinase activity with PF‐06426779 could prevent cachexia using a model of pancreatic cancer. The effect of appetite stimulation via the ghrelin receptor agonist anamorelin was also examined as a benchmark of clinically validated mechanisms.

Methods

Female C57Bl/6J mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of KrasG12D; p53R172H; Pdx1‐Cre (KPC) pancreatic tumour cells. PF‐06426779 or anamorelin treatment was initiated at the onset of anorexia. Body weight and food intake were measured throughout the study. Body composition, muscle function (force), and physical activity (treadmill running endurance) were assessed at the end of the study.

Results

Chronic treatment with PF‐06426779, at doses covering in vitro IC50 and IC90 at Cmin, did not increase body weight, food intake, and muscle function in the KPC tumour model. In contrast, anamorelin (vs. vehicle) increased food intake (P < 0.01), hindlimb skeletal muscle mass (P < 0.01), and muscle strength (P < 0.05); however, treadmill running endurance was not increased.

Conclusions

These data suggest that inhibition of IRAK4 kinase activity is not sufficient to treat cachexia, at least in pancreatic cancer, and exploration of alternative anti‐inflammatory strategies that increase appetite is required.
Predefined‐time tracking control of a class of nonlinear systems via a novel C∞ performance function
Authors: Li Jian , Du Jialu
Published: December 2023

It is well‐known that the finite‐time and the fixed‐time control can ensure the finite‐time and the fixed‐time stabilities of systems, respectively. Therein the finite convergence time depends on both the initial conditions of systems and the controller design parameters, and the fixed convergence time only depends on the controller design parameters. The recently reported predefined‐time control removes the above limitations. Nevertheless, the existing predefined‐time control methods either require sliding modes, or suffer from the high‐gain control problem at the predefined time, or cannot be applied to high‐order systems. This article develops an alternative predefined‐time tracking control scheme of a class of nonlinear systems by introducing a novel performance function which reaches its terminal value at a predefined time. The developed predefined‐time tracking control scheme has higher compatibility, does not cause the high‐gain control problem at the predefined time and is applicable to arbitrary order systems. Theoretical analyses and simulations verify the effectiveness of our developed predefined‐time tracking control scheme.
Event‐triggered adaptive tracking control for nonlinear systems with input saturation and unknown control directions
Authors: Chang Ru , Hou Ting‐Ting , Bai Zhi‐Zhong , Sun Chang‐Yin
Published: December 2023

This article is concerned with event‐triggered adaptive tracking control design of strict‐feedback nonlinear systems, which are subject to input saturation and unknown control directions. In the design procedure, a smooth nonlinear function is employed to approximate the saturation function so that the controller can be designed under the framework of backstepping. The Nussbaum gain technique is employed to address the issue of the unknown control directions. A predetermined time convergent performance function and a nonlinear mapping technique are introduced to guarantee that the tracking error can converge in the predetermined time with a fast convergence rate and a high accuracy. Then the event‐triggered adaptive prescribed performance tracking control strategy is proposed, which not only ensures the boundedness of all the closed‐loop signals and the convergence of tracking error but also reduces the communication burden from the controller to the actuator. At last, the simulation study further tests the availability of the proposed control strategy.
Techniques to enhance the public policy impact of qualitative system dynamics models
Authors: Veldhuis Guido A. , Smits‐Clijsen Eefje M. , van Waas Rob P.M.
Published: December 2023

This article demonstrates techniques to enhance the public policy impact of qualitative system dynamics models. We focus on the effective use of a large causal loop diagram (CLD) to explore a multifaceted problem situation. We discuss the conditions that can lead to developing a large CLD, the challenges this presents, and techniques that can be used to overcome them. Several techniques are discussed related to an online group model‐building (GMB) process, the use of quantitative data, visual model analyses using a software tool and reporting. The techniques are demonstrated using an impactful case study on the social impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic. We reflect on the efficacy of the approach through the lens of systems thinking and conclude that the techniques made a positive contribution to all aspects of systems thinking. Several avenues for future work are discussed. © 2023 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.
Toward High‐Quality Sulfide Solid Electrolytes: A Liquid‐Phase Approach Featured with an Interparticle Coupled Unification Effect
Authors: Han Aiguo , Xu Shijie , Wang Xinyu , Chang Haolong , Tian Rongzheng , Zhang Xin , Chen Xing , Song Dawei , Yang Yongan
Published: December 2023

Sulfide solid electrolytes (SSEs) are highly wanted for solid‐state batteries (SSBs). While their liquid‐phase synthesis is advantageous over their solid‐phase strategy in scalable production, it confronts other challenges, such as low‐purity products, user‐unfriendly solvents, energy‐inefficient solvent removal, and unsatisfactory performance. This article demonstrates that a suspension‐based solvothermal method using single oxygen‐free solvents can solve those problems. Experimental observations and theoretical calculations together show that the basic function of suspension‐treatment is “interparticle‐coupled unification”, that is, even individually insoluble solid precursors can mutually adsorb and amalgamate to generate uniform composites in nonpolar solvents. This anti‐intuitive concept is established when investigating the origins of impurities in SSEs electrolytes made by the conventional tetrahydrofuran‐ethanol method and then searching for new solvents. Its generality is supported by four eligible alkane solvents and four types of SSEs. The electrochemical assessments on the former three SSEs show that they are competitive with their counterparts in the literature. Moreover, the synthesized SSEs presents excellent battery performance, showing great potential for practical applications.
Core–Sheath Heterogeneous Interlocked Conductive Fiber Enables Smart Textile for Personalized Healthcare and Thermal Management
Authors: Chen Xiyu , He Yifan , Tian Mingwei , Qu Lijun , Fan Tingting , Miao Jinlei
Published: December 2023

Whereas thermal comfort and healthcare management during long‐term wear are essentially required for wearable system, simultaneously achieving them remains challenge. Herein, a highly comfortable and breathable smart textile for personal healthcare and thermal management is developed, via assembling stimuli‐responsive core–sheath dual network that silver nanowires(AgNWs) core interlocked graphene sheath induced by MXene. Small MXene nanosheets with abundant groups is proposed as a novel “dispersant” to graphene according to “like dissolves like” theory, while simultaneously acting as “cross‐linker” between AgNWs and graphene networks by filling the voids between them. The core–sheath heterogeneous interlocked conductive fiber induced by MXene “cross‐linking” exhibits a reliable response to various mechanical/electrical/light stimuli, even under large mechanical deformations(100%). The core–sheath conductive fiber‐enabled smart textile can adapt to movements of human body seamlessly, and convert these mechanical deformations into character signals for accurate healthcare monitoring with rapid response(440 ms). Moreover, smart textile with excellent Joule heating and photothermal effect exhibits instant thermal energy harvesting/storage during the stimuli‐response process, which can be developed as self‐powered thermal management and dynamic camouflage when integrated with phase change and thermochromic layer. The smart fibers/textiles with core–sheath heterogeneous interlocked structures hold great promise in personalized healthcare and thermal management.
Mussel and Cobweb Inspired High Areal Capacity SPAN Electrode
Authors: Zuo Weijing , Guo Yawei , Zhang Chi , Zhang Lan , Zhang Suojiang
Published: December 2023

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) with superior energy density are among the most promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage techniques. Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) exhibits competitive advantages in terms of cycle stability, rate performance as well as cost. However, the preparation of high‐loading SPAN electrodes is still challenging. Herein, inspired by mussel and cobweb, a high‐loading SPAN electrode is enabled by the combination of polydopamine (PDA) coating and a bimodal distributed single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) slurry dispersed in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), their synergistic effect not only constructs effective electron percolating networks within the electrode but also make high active material (AM) ratio possible. High areal capacity PDA@SPAN electrode (18.40 mAh cm−2 in the initial cycle) with negligible specific capacity attenuation as the mass loading increasement is realized through the facile slurry casting process. The dynamic N─H…O hydrogen bond is formed between PDA and PVP and the electrode integrity during charge/discharge is greatly strengthened. The battery with an areal AM loading of 7.16 mg cm−2 (5.16 mAh cm−2) retains 92.0% of capacity in 80 cycles and 87.18% in 160 cycles, and it also shows stable cycle performances even with a high loading of 19.79 mg cm−2 and lean electrolyte (3.28 µL mg−1).
Low Power Volatile and Nonvolatile Memristive Devices from 1D MoO2‐MoS2 Core–Shell Heterostructures for Future Bio‐Inspired Computing
Authors: Yadav Renu , Poudyal Saroj , Rajarapu Ramesh , Biswal Bubunu , Barman Prahalad Kanti , Kasiviswanathan S. , Novoselov Kostya S. , Misra Abhishek
Published: December 2023

Memristors‐based integrated circuits for emerging bio‐inspired computing paradigms require an integrated approach utilizing both volatile and nonvolatile memristive devices. Here, an innovative architecture comprising of 1D CVD‐grown core–shell heterostructures (CSHSs) of MoO2‐MoS2 is employed as memristors manifesting both volatile switching (with high selectivity of 107 and steep slope of 0.6 mV decade−1) and nonvolatile switching phenomena (with Ion/Ioff ≈103 and switching speed of 60 ns). In these CSHSs, the metallic core MoO2 with high current carrying capacity provides a conformal and immaculate interface with semiconducting MoS2 shells and therefore it acts as a bottom electrode for the memristors. The power consumption in volatile devices is as low as 50 pW per set transition and 0.1 fW in standby mode. Voltage‐driven current spikes are observed for volatile devices while with nonvolatile memristors, key features of a biological synapse such as short/long‐term plasticity and paired pulse facilitation are emulated suggesting their potential for the development of neuromorphic circuits. These CSHSs offer an unprecedented solution for the interfacial issues between metallic electrodes and the layered materials‐based switching element with the prospects of developing smaller footprint memristive devices for future integrated circuits.
Thermoelectric Cooling Performance Enhancement in BiSeTe Alloy by Microstructure Modulation via Hot Extrusion
Authors: Zhang Yu , Xu Guang , Nozariasbmarz Amin , Li Wenjie , Raman Lavanya , Xing Congcong , Sharma Shweta , Liu Na , Ghosh Subrata , Joshi Giri , Sanghadasa Mohan , Shashank Priya , Poudel Bed
Published: December 2023

The demand for high‐performance materials in thermoelectric (TE) technology has driven continuous efforts to enhance the performance of commercialized Bi2Te3‐based thermoelectric materials. Here, we report success in achieving significant performance improvements in n‐type Bi2Te2.8Se0.2S0.01 through the implementation of a hot extrusion manufacturing process. This tailored manufacturing process has yielded a desired microstructure characterized by grain growth and preferred orientations. The resulting enlarged grain‐based microstructure exhibits reduced dislocations and defects that originated from plastic deformation during extrusion and post annealing. As such, the charge carrier mobility is significantly enhanced, leading to an ultrahigh power factor of approximately 51 μW cm−1 K−2 at ambient temperature. Consequently, a maximum figure of merit (zT) of 1.12 is achieved at 348 K in the combination of extrusion and annealing procedures. Using the synthesized n‐type Bi2Te2.8Se0.2S0.01 material, full‐scale cooling modules have been fabricated. These modules demonstrate record cooling performance, with a maximum temperature difference (ΔT) of 73.9 K at a hot‐side temperature of 300 K and a maximum cooling power density of 2.2 W cm−2. The cooling performance of these TE devices surpasses that of commercially available devices, establishing their potential for next‐generation TE cooling applications.
Preparation of composite coagulant for the removal of microplastics in water
Authors: Sun Yongjun , Wu Qu , Li Xiaoqi , Sun Wenquan , Zhou Jun , Shah Kinjal J.
Published: December 2023

In this work, a composite flocculant (polyferric titanium sulfate–polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride [PFTS–PDMDAAC]) with a rich spatial network structure was prepared for the treatment of simulated wastewater containing polystyrene (PS) micro–nanoparticles. Characterization results showed that the surface of the PFTS–PDMDAAC was a three‐dimensional network polymer of chain molecules that exhibited good thermal stability and formed an amorphous polymer containing multiply hydroxyl‐bridged titanium and iron. When n(OH−) : n(Fe) = 1:2, n(PO43−) : n(Fe) = 0.35, n(Ti) : n(Fe) = 1:8, n(DMDAAC) : n(Fe) = 5:100, and the polymerization temperature is 60°C, the prepared composite flocculant has the best effect. The effects of dosage, pH, and agitation intensity on the flocculation properties of PFTS–PDMDAAC were also studied. The optimal removal rates of PS‐μm and haze by PFTS–PDMDAAC were 85.60% and 90.10%, respectively, at a stirring intensity of 200 rpm, a pH of 9.0, and a PFTS–PDMDAAC dosage of 20 mg/L. The flocs produced by the PFTS–PDMDAAC flocculation were large and compact in structure, and the flocculation mechanism was mainly based on adsorption bridging. Kaolin played a promoting role in the process of PS‐μm removal by PFTS–PDMDAAC floc and accelerated the formation of large and dense flocs. This study provided a reference for the coagulation method to remove micro–nanopollutants in the actual water treatment process.

Practitioner Points

A composite flocculant with rich spatial network structure (PFTS–PDMDAAC) was prepared.

PFTS–PDMDAAC can effectively remove micro–nano polystyrene (PS) in wastewater.

The floc produced by PFTS–PDMDAAC is large and compact in structure.

The flocculation mechanism of PFTS–PDMDAAC is mainly adsorption bridging.
South–South Migration and Inequality: An Introduction
Authors: Crawley Heaven , Teye Joseph Kofi
Published: December 2023

Although scholarly work on international migration overwhelmingly focuses on movements to the Global North, at least a third of all international migration takes place between the countries of the Global South and this migration is increasing. Introducing the aims and contributions to the Palgrave Handbook of South–South Migration and Inequality, this chapter provides an overview of the history, scale and significance of South–South migration as well as existing research on the relationships between migration and inequality. Scholarly work on South–South migration, we argue, is dominated by theories and concepts derived from the Global North, from where most migration research funding originates and where most migration researchers are based. This work often fails to fully grasp the complex social, as well as economic and political factors, associated with migration in the Global South, and the intersectional inequalities with which migration is associated. Centring the knowledge and perspectives of those living and working in the Global South is critical if we want to understand the relationships between South–South migration and inequality. It is also vital in order to harness the potential benefits of migration for development, and for the well-being of migrants and their families.
Migration and Inequality in the Burkina Faso–Côte d’Ivoire corridor
Authors: Dabiré Bonayi Hubert , Soumahoro Kando Amédée
Published: December 2023

This chapter shows that the current migration between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire perpetuates a problem that was produced and amplified during the colonial period. As for the contribution of migration to the development of Burkina Faso, it remains ambivalent. Some research suggests that migration has a positive contribution, while others suggest that this is not the case. The impact of migration is perceived differently depending on whether the problem is approached from a micro or macro perspective. Even if migration helps poor households through the transfer of resources, migration also creates inequalities: inequalities between children whose parents migrate and those who do not, inequalities between households that do and don’t receive remittances, and gender inequalities. Once they arrive in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso migrants (Burkinabè) face difficulties regarding their foreign status. Based on data collected in Côte d’Ivoire within the framework of the MIDEQ Hub, this chapter also highlights the inequalities experienced by Burkinabè in Côte d’Ivoire including inequalities in access to employment, land, rights and citizenship.
Gendered Migration in the Global South: An Intersectional Perspective on Inequality
Authors: Bastia Tanja , Piper Nicola
Published: December 2023

The links between gender and migration are well understood, as the result of extensive research on the highly gendered nature of migration drivers, dynamics and impacts associated with broader processes of societal transformation. The role of gender norms in shaping migratory decisions on who stays, who moves and how resources are allocated are also well understood. Far less attention has been paid to intersectional approaches, and the comparative dynamics of gendered processes and outcomes in the context of South–South migration. This chapter aims to redress an existing bias towards destination countries by placing greater emphasis on countries of origin and transnational social fields. By focusing on migrants’ precariour status as workers, it also moves beyond the overwhelming focus on domestic work to highlight other overlooked sectors in which there are highly gendered patterns of migrant employment, such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. The chapter addresses this gap by adopting an intersectional perspective on cross-sectoral inequalities related to migration.
The “ASEAN Way” in Migration Governance
Authors: Asis Rey P. , Maningat Carlos L.
Published: December 2023

Migration governance in Asia is intriguing as, on the one hand, many Asian states have refused to be part of international migration conventions, but on the other have made efforts towards cooperation at a regional or sub-regional level. In the case of Southeast Asian countries, commitments to regional frameworks and instruments have largely been ceremonial, as member-states maintain a disengaged stance even as both labour-sending and labour-receiving countries pursue bilateral cooperation. This chapter explores the complex migration governance mechanisms in Southeast Asia, highlighting the particular roles of national governments, civil society organisations, migrant workers and private recruitment agencies as well as the nuances that exist in between these actors. The limits and potential of “contestations from below” are also discussed, with the incompatibility of the “ethical recruitment” campaign and human rights advocacy pointed out.
Migration Research, Coloniality and Epistemic Injustice
Authors: Landström Karl , Crawley Heaven
Published: December 2023

In this chapter, we take stock of existing critiques of contemporary migration research and bring these debates into contact with ongoing debates among decolonial scholars and in feminist social epistemology. We illustrate how the ethical and epistemic concerns voiced by migration scholars in regard to the socio-epistemic functioning of their field can be understood using the conceptual apparatus that has been developed around the notions of epistemic injustice and oppression. In so doing, we illustrate the relevance and usefulness of both feminist social epistemology and of decolonial theory for theorising the socio-epistemic challenges that migration scholars face. The conceptual framework of epistemic injustice and oppression not only offers clarity in what is at stake within migration studies both ethically and epistemically, but also elucidates moral and epistemic reasons for why these issues should be addressed. This framework both calls attention to issues of undue epistemic marginalisation, and centres these issues as a core concern as migration scholars critically reflect upon the knowledge production and dissemination practices of their field. Understanding the processes through which this happens, rather than just the epistemic outcomes, can help us to identify ways to address the structural inequalities with which the production of migration knowledge is often associated.
Business Development in Large-Scale Agile Software Development: Barriers and Enablers
Authors: Olsen John Olav , Stray Viktoria , Moe Nils Brede
Published: December 2023

Currently, many financial organizations must undergo a digital transformation. In this study, we investigated a transformation in a Norwegian fintech company with the aim of understanding how the tasks performed by business development can be better aligned with the work of cross-functional development teams. Specifically, we examined the enablers and barriers to coordination between business development and software product development in large-scale agile software development. The organization under study had 25 software product development teams that followed an in-house agile model. We collected data by conducting 13 interviews and collecting various documents. Our findings suggest that having cross-functional fora, having a common understanding of what business development is, and coaching the whole organization to be more agile can improve coordination between business and software development.
Sustainable IT in an Agile DevOps Setup Leads to a Shift Left in Sustainability Engineering
Authors: Poth Alexander , Eißfeldt Daniela , Heimann Christian , Waschk Stefan
Published: December 2023

Today green IT is mostly driven by the measurement of CO2e of data centers. However, this is a symptom treatment approach, since the operating parameters of software are defined during build-time. This implies that the consumption during run-time of a software cannot be changed in a wide range. To ensure that enterprise IT can be operated within a higher sustainable setup the software and systems engineering has to consider sustainability aspects during development phase. Furthermore, sustainability is more than measuring and optimizing CO2e of applications – it includes e.g. reuse aspects. Each software component which is reused reduces resource allocation during development and maintenance. IT sustainability step by step becomes a quality characteristic of software. This work presents a more holistic view for sustainable software engineering from an enterprise IT perspective which can be integrated into agile software development especially within DevOps teams.
Scattering amplitudes and electromagnetic horizons
Authors: Ilderton Anton , Lindved William
Published: December 2023

Abstract

We consider the scattering of charged particles on particular electromagnetic fields which have properties analogous to gravitational horizons. Classically, particles become causally excluded from regions of spacetime beyond a null surface which we identify as the ‘electromagnetic horizon’. In the quantum theory there is pair production at the horizon via the Schwinger effect, but only one particle from the pair escapes the field. Furthermore, unitarity appears to be violated when crossing the horizon, suggesting there is no well-defined S-matrix. Despite this, we show how to use the perturbiner method to construct ‘amplitudes’ which contain all the dynamical information required to construct observables related to pair creation, and to radiation from particles scattering on the background.
Progress in the lattice evaluation of entanglement entropy of three-dimensional Yang-Mills theories and holographic bulk reconstruction
Authors: Jokela Niko , Rummukainen Kari , Salami Ahmed , Pönni Arttu , Rindlisbacher Tobias
Published: December 2023

Abstract

A construction of a gravity dual to a physical gauge theory requires confronting data. We establish a proof-of-concept for precision holography, i.e., the explicit reconstruction of the dual background metric functions directly from the entanglement entropy (EE) of strip subregions that we extract from pure glue Yang-Mills theory discretized on a lattice. Our main focus is on a three-dimensional Euclidean SU2 theory in the deconfining phase. Holographic EE suggests, and we find evidence for, that the scaling of the thermal entropy with temperature is to power 7/3 and that it approaches smoothly the critical point, consistent with black hole thermodynamics. In addition, we provide frugal results on the potential between quenched quarks by the computation of the Polyakov loop correlators on the lattice. Holographic arguments pique curiosity in the substratum of Debye screening at strong coupling.
Docking site interventions following bone transport using external fixation: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Liodakis E. , Giannoudis V. P. , Harwood P.J. , Giannoudis P. V.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Although bone transport is a well-recognised technique to address segmental bone defects, optimal management of docking sites is not absolutely determined. Some surgeons routinely intervene in all cases, and others prefer to observe and intervene only if spontaneous union does not occur. Primary aim of the study was to compare rates of docking site union between patients who underwent routine docking site intervention and those who did not.

Methods

A systematic literature review using the keywords “bone transport”, “docking”, “tibia”, and “femur” was performed in PubMed using PRISMA guidelines. Studies published in English from January 2000 to August 2022 were included and assessed independently by two reviewers. Pooled analysis was undertaken dividing patients into two groups: those managed by routine intervention and those initially observed.

Results

Twenty-three clinical studies met the eligibility criteria for pooled analysis, including 1153 patients, 407 in the routine intervention and 746 in the observed group. The rate of union after initial treatment was 90% in the routine intervention group and 66% in the observed group (p < 0.0001). Overall union rates at the end of treatment were similar at 99% in both groups. Patients in the observed group required an average of 2.2 procedures to achieve union overall compared with 3.8 in the routine intervention group. Time in frame was similar between groups.

Conclusion

Based on the current literature, routine docking site interventions cannot be recommended, since this may lead to unnecessary interventions in two thirds of patients. Timely selective intervention in those at high risk or after a defined period of observation would appear to be a logical approach.
Cohort profile update–overview of over 35 years of research in the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) study
Authors: Perrar Ines , Alexy Ute , Nöthlings Ute
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To provide an update on the cohort profile of the DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) study, including objectives, study design, methods and description of the comprehensive data pool, as well as to summarize the most important research findings of recent years.

Methods

In 1985, the open (dynamic) cohort started to collect information on diet, growth, development, and metabolism of healthy children and adolescents in Dortmund, Germany. Detailed data are collected annually during infancy, childhood, and adolescence of the participants, including a 3-day weighed dietary record, a 24-h urine sample, anthropometric and medical examinations as well as interviews on lifestyle.

Results

Even if the basic examination modules have not changed since the start over 35 years ago, the DONALD study has been continuously further developed by introducing new modules. As such, participants are also invited for follow-up examinations during adulthood since 2005, including an additional fasting blood withdrawal. Overall, 2375 (♂: 1177; ♀: 1198) participants were recruited in the DONALD study between 1985 and 2022. Data from ~ 30,700 anthropometric measurements, ~ 19,200 dietary records, ~ 10,600 24-h urine and ~ 1300 blood samples are available from an observation period of over 35 years.

Conclusion

The DONALD study provides a large data pool for longitudinal studies on nutrition, growth, and health in childhood and adolescence, its impact on the development of diseases in early adult life as well as dietary intake trends over more than three decades.
From the detection of monitoring anomalies to the probabilistic forecast of the evolution of volcanic unrest: an entropy-based approach
Authors: Marzocchi Warner , Sandri Laura , Ferrara Salvatore , Selva Jacopo
Published: December 2023

Owing to the current lack of plausible and exhaustive physical pre-eruptive models, often volcanologists rely on the observation of monitoring anomalies to track the evolution of volcanic unrest episodes. Taking advantage from the work made in the development of Bayesian Event Trees (BET), here we formalize an entropy-based model to translate the observation of anomalies into probability of a specific volcanic event of interest. The model is quite general and it could be used as a stand-alone eruption forecasting tool or to set up conditional probabilities for methodologies like the BET and of the Bayesian Belief Network (BBN). The proposed model has some important features worth noting: (i) it is rooted in a coherent logic, which gives a physical sense to the heuristic information of volcanologists in terms of entropy; (ii) it is fully transparent and can be established in advance of a crisis, making the results reproducible and revisable, providing a transparent audit trail that reduces the overall degree of subjectivity in communication with civil authorities; (iii) it can be embedded in a unified probabilistic framework, which provides an univocal taxonomy of different kinds of uncertainty affecting the forecast and handles these uncertainties in a formal way. Finally, for the sake of example, we apply the procedure to track the evolution of the 1982–1984 phase of unrest at Campi Flegrei.
Pribadi: A decentralized privacy-preserving authentication in wireless multimedia sensor networks for smart cities
Authors: Goyat Rekha , Kumar Gulshan , Saha Rahul , Conti Mauro
Published: December 2023

Wireless Multimedia Sensor Network (WMSN) is a network of interconnected sensor nodes equipped with multimedia devices capable to retrieve multimedia as well as scalar sensor data in smart city scenarios. With the progress of smart city development, WMSNs are becoming points of interest. The existing research works on the security of WMSNs show some significant centralized solutions; they are prone to denial of service attacks, central failure, and privacy breaches. Also, these solution are having limitations because of their centralized nature.Therefore, the the proposed scheme adopted the concept of decentralization to achieve more effective and ubiquitous results. As per our best knowledge, we introduce the first decentralized privacy-preserving authentication framework for WMSNs to address the energy and storage challenges. We call our solution PRIvacy-preserving Blockchain-based Authentication for multimeDIa networks (PRIBADI). PRIBADI uses a blockchain framework for authenticated communication between sensor nodes and base stations (as a trusted authority) by using certification and access authentication schemes. We elect trustworthy cluster heads based on weight metrics and these cluster heads forward the information to the Trusted Authority (TA). Subsequently, TA forward large data to the cloud for storage, and the information relevant to certificates and hashes are recorded on the distributed blockchain. Moreover, TA revokes the certificates of malicious sensor nodes and eliminates them from the blockchain. We run a set of experiments on PRIBADI and compare the results with the state-of-the-art models. We use the evaluation criteria of detection accuracy, operation, and energy consumption. We find that PRIBADI is 31.7% better than the existing models.
Echinacea purpurea extract intervention for counteracting neurochemical and behavioral changes induced by bifenthrin
Authors: Abdel-Wahhab Khaled G. , Sayed Rehab S. , EL-Sahra Doaa G. , Hassan Laila K. , Elqattan Ghada M. , Mannaa Fathia A.
Published: December 2023

This study was conducted to elucidate the possible protective efficiency of Echinacea purpurea hydroethanolic extract (EchEE) against bifenthrin (BIF)-induced neuro-chemical and behavioral changes in rats. Total phenolics content, reducing power and radical scavenging activity of EchEE were estimated. Four groups of adult male albino rats were used (10 rats each) as follows: 1) Control healthy rats ingested with placebo, 2) Healthy rats orally received EchEE (465 mg/kg/day), 3) Rats intoxicated with BIF (7mg/kg/day) dissolved in olive oil, and 4) Rats co-treated with EchEE (465 mg/kg/day) besides to BIF (7mg/kg/day) intoxication. After 30 days, some neuro-chemical and behavioral tests were assessed. The behavioral tests revealed that rats received BIF exhibited exploratory behavior and spatial learning impairments, memory and locomotion dysfunction, and enhanced anxiety level. Biochemical findings revealed that BIF induced-oxidative stress in the cortex and hippocampus; this was appeared from the significant rise in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, coupled with decreased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) level in both brain areas. Also, BIF induced a significant increase caspas-3, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) in both areas; dopamine and serotonin levels, and ACh-ase activity were markedly decreased in both areas. Interestingly, treatment of rats with EchEE in combination with BIF resulted in a significant decrease in oxidative stress damage, and modulation of the apoptotic and pro-inflammatory markers. Also, EchEE markedly improved behavioral activities and neurotransmitters level that were impaired by BIF. In conclusion, the present study clearly indicated that EchEE can attenuate brain dysfunction induced by pesticides exposure through preventing the oxidative stress. This may be attributed to its high antioxidant component.
Exact solutions, symmetry groups and conservation laws for some (2+1)-dimensional nonlinear physical models
Authors: Hassan M. M. , Shehata A. R. , Abdel-Daym M. S.
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the Bernoulli sub-equation function method is used to construct new exact travelling wave solutions for two important physical models: (2+1)-dimensional hyperbolic nonlinear Schrödinger (HNLS) equation and (2+1)-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnetic spin chain (HFSC) equation. These solutions provide valuable insights into the behavior of these models, described in terms of exponential and hyperbolic tangent (tanh) functions. The study also involves an exploration of the infinitesimal generators and symmetry groups through the Lie symmetry method. In addition, by using multiplier approach, the conservation laws are established for these models. Graphical simulation of some solutions in the form of two-dimensional and three-dimensional are plotted to understanding of the underlying physical phenomena and mathematical properties of the (2+1)-dimensional HNLS and HFSC equations. The solutions and graphing are performed using Maple software.
Deep Depth from Focal Stack with Defocus Model for Camera-Setting Invariance
Authors: Fujimura Yuki , Iiyama Masaaki , Funatomi Takuya , Mukaigawa Yasuhiro
Published: December 2023

We propose deep depth from focal stack (DDFS), which takes a focal stack as input of a neural network for estimating scene depth. Defocus blur is a useful cue for depth estimation. However, the size of the blur depends on not only scene depth but also camera settings such as focus distance, focal length, and f-number. Current learning-based methods without any defocus models cannot estimate a correct depth map if camera settings are different at training and test times. Our method takes a plane sweep volume as input for the constraint between scene depth, defocus images, and camera settings, and this intermediate representation enables depth estimation with different camera settings at training and test times. This camera-setting invariance can enhance the applicability of DDFS. The experimental results also indicate that our method is robust against a synthetic-to-real domain gap.
Unraveling intragenomic polymorphisms in the high-quality genome of Hypoxylaceae: a comprehensive study of the rDNA cistron
Authors: Cedeño-Sanchez Marjorie , Cheng Tian , Lambert Christopher , Kolarík Miroslav , Kuhnert Eric , Cox Russell J. , Kalinowski Jörn , Verwaaijen Bart , Stadler Marc
Published: December 2023

Sequencing ribosomal DNA loci, such as ITS and LSU, are among the first steps to characterize and identify newly isolated fungal strains. Substantial doubt has recently been raised concerning the unequivocal suitability of using this sequence information for inferring inter- and intraspecific relationships, as especially the ITS locus was repeatedly shown to harbor high intragenomic plasticity. The evolutionary mechanisms leading to this phenomenon are poorly understood, but this is about to change, owing to the availability of third generation sequencing techniques. The current study attempts a comprehensive analysis of rDNA cistrons in the genomes of over 40 selected species of Hypoxylaceae (Xylariales), using a combination of 2nd generation (Illumina) and 3rd generation sequencing technologies (Oxford Nanopore), along with extensive usage of bioinformatic tools to obtain high-quality genomes. Our findings revealed high intragenomic polymorphisms in distinct Hypoxylaceae species, indicating the presence of deep rDNA paralogs. Phylogenetic inference of the ITS rDNA showed low support for the primary clades within Hypoxylaceae, while inference using the protein encoding gene RPB2 showed better support. We also found that proteinogenic genes are not prone to intraspecific and intragenomic polymorphisms as much as the rDNA loci. Our study highlights the limitations of solely relying on the rDNA cistron as a barcode for fungi. We propose TUB2 as a new primary barcoding marker for Hypoxylaceae and other Xylariales. Moreover, we demonstrate the feasibility to retrieve some DNA loci that had hitherto not been used for classical phylogenetic studies (such as TEF1) in Xylariales directly from genomes without the necessity to work with primers.
miR-155-5p/Bmal1 Modulates the Senescence and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mouse BMSCs through the Hippo Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Lanxin , Zhang Chengxiaoxue , Zheng Jiawen , Wang Yuhong , Wei Xiaoyu , Yang Yuqing , Zhao Qing
Published: December 2023

Background

The core clock gene brain and muscle ARNT like-1 (Bmal1) is involved in the regulation of bone tissue aging. However, current studies are mostly limited to the establishment of the association between Bmal1 and bone senescence, without in-depth exploration of its main upstream and downstream regulatory mechanisms.

Methods

The luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the interaction between miR-155-5p and Bmal1. The effects of miR-155-5p and Bmal1 on the aging and osteogenic differentiation ability of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were investigated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, β-gal staining, alkaline phosphatase quantitative assay and alizarin red staining in vitro. The potential molecular mechanism was identified by ChIP-Seq, RNA-seq database analysis and immunofluorescence staining.

Results

The expression of Bmal1 declined with age, while the miR-155-5p was increased. miR-155-5p and Bmal1 repressed each other’s expression, and miR-155-5p targeted the Bmal1. Besides, miR-155-5p inhibited the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, promoted cell apoptosis and senescence, inhibited the expression and nuclear translocation of YAP and TAZ. However, Bmal1 facilitated the osteogenic differentiation and suppressed the aging of BMSCs, meanwhile inactivated the Hippo pathway. Moreover, YAP inhibitors abrogated the positive regulation of aging and osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs by miR-155-5p and Bmal1.

Conclusion

In mouse BMSCs, miR-155-5p and Bmal1 regulated the aging and osteogenic differentiation ability of BMSCs mainly through the Hippo signaling pathway. Our findings provide new insights for the interventions in bone aging.

Graphical Abstract
“Time is on me”: Entangled Temporalities Between Italy and the Gambia
Authors: Castellano Viola
Published: December 2023

Gambian’s migration towards Europe, mainly constituted by young men, substantially increased since 2010. Arriving mainly through the Central Mediterranean Route because of the extremely scarce possibility to obtain a visa, most Gambians applied for asylum in Italy, the first arrival country according to the Dublin regulation. The administrative and juridical system largely rejected their asylum requests, leaving most undocumented, in legal limbo, and deportable. The paper focuses on the different trajectories of Gambians in Italy in their post-asylum phase, discussing how existential precariousness heavily shapes their lives and how this condition compromises future building along different but entangled temporalities. In particular, the contribution wants to reflect on the various intertwined timelines that people on the move forge and inhabit, showing how they are always multiple and articulated through spatial, social, cultural, economic, and personal dimensions. In so doing, I analyze temporal dispossession as a continuous process that Gambians on the move experience prior to, during, and after their trip to Europe and which they actively struggle to overcome.
Planar Pseudo-geodesics and Totally Umbilic Submanifolds
Authors: Markvorsen Steen , Raffaelli Matteo
Published: December 2023

We study totally umbilic isometric immersions between Riemannian manifolds. First, we provide a novel characterization of the totally umbilic isometric immersions with parallel normalized mean curvature vector, i.e., those having nonzero mean curvature vector and such that the unit vector in the direction of the mean curvature vector is parallel in the normal bundle. Such characterization is based on a family of curves, called planar pseudo-geodesics, representing a natural extrinsic generalization of both geodesics and Riemannian circles: being planar, their Cartan development in the tangent space is planar in the ordinary sense; being pseudo-geodesics, their geodesic and normal curvatures satisfy a linear relation. We study these curves in detail and, in particular, establish their local existence and uniqueness. Moreover, in the case of codimension-one immersions, we prove the following statement: an isometric immersion $$\iota :M \hookrightarrow Q$$

ι
:
M
↪
Q

is totally umbilic if and only if the extrinsic shape of every geodesic of M is planar. This extends a well-known result about surfaces in $$\mathbb {R}^{3}$$

R

3

.