bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreased Accumulation of SnO2 Particles Results from Sodium Citrate Dispersant Assisted Chemical Bath Deposition for High Quality Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Shuqian , Li Haimin , Zhang Yifeng , Tang Yanling , Zhang Zheng , Li Haohui , Wu Yufeng , Li Yunzhe , Liu Xingchong , Wang Hanyu
Published: March 2024

Electron transport layer (ETL) is a crucial part for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, leakage current and oxygen vacancies result from little pores grown from sol‐gel method would inevitably deteriorate the performance of ETL. In contrast, thin films prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) could significantly restrain the little cracks. Here, SnO2 ETL are prepared by optimized CBD process, sodium citrate (SC) is explored as an auxiliary reagent to disperse ETL, thus enhances the smoothness and conductivity of the ETL, resulting in a pore‐free flat surface morphology and decreased oxygen vacancy, which is favorable for electron transport and deposition of perovskite (PVK). The PVK film fabricated on the oxygen vacancy free substrate demonstrates high quality and decreased defect density, thus effectively prevents the non‐radiative recombination of carriers. As a result, the short‐circuit current (JSC) and open circuit voltage (Voc) of the PSC devices have been obviously improved, leading to increased photoelectric conversion efficiency from 21.03% to 22.04%. Meanwhile, the long‐term and moisture stability have been promoted simultaneously.
Fly: Femtolet‐based edge‐cloud framework for crop yield prediction using bidirectional long short‐term memory
Authors: Dey Tanushree , Bera Somnath , Paul Bachchu , De Debashis , Mukherjee Anwesha , Buyya Rajkumar
Published: March 2024

Crop yield prediction is a crucial area in agriculture that has a large impact on the economy of a country. This article proposes a crop yield prediction framework based on Internet of Things and edge computing. We have used a fifth generation network device referred to as femtolet as the edge device. The femtolet is a small cell base station that has high storage and high processing ability. The sensor nodes collect the soil and environmental data, and then the collected data is sent to the femtolet through the microcontrollers. The femtolet retrieves the weather‐related data from the cloud, and then processes the sensor data and weather‐related data using Bi‐LSTM. The femtolet after processing the data sends the generated results to the cloud. The user can access the results from the cloud to predict the suitable crop for his/her land. This is observed that the suggested framework provides better accuracy, precision, recall, and F1‐score compared to the state‐of‐the‐art crop yield prediction frameworks. This is also demonstrated that the use of femtolet reduces the latency by ˜25% than the conventional edge‐cloud framework.
Rheological Studies on Optimizing the Sinter Mix Granulation Mechanism to Sustain Productivity
Authors: Angalakuditi Veera Brahmacharyulu , Sah Rameshwar , Yadav Shyam Sundar , Ghorui Prabhat Kumar , Singh Lokendra Raj , Baral Saroj Sundar
Published: March 2024

Granulation of the sinter mix is an important step in the iron ore sintering process. This article presents the results of various studies conducted to understand the rheological aspects and methods implemented in industrial‐scale sinter plants to sustain productivity over the last decade. The intergranular bonding material in the mixing and nodulizing drum is characterized to understand its influence on the granulation. Calcined lime, when increased from 20 to 40 kg t−1 of sinter, increases the granulation index and helps in achieving higher productivity. Up to 20 kg t−1, calcined dolo increases productivity, beyond which a decline is noticed. Lignosulfonate and polymer binders in the range of 0.2%–0.7% in the sinter mix, respectively, increase the granulation of the microfines (0.25 and 0.5 mm size). When a magnetic field is applied to water, the granulation improves. Higher electrical conductivity and lower contact angle of the recycled water are found to improve the bonding of the particles. Zeta potentials of fly ash and bentonite solution in water are positive and negative in the cases of calcined lime and calcined dolo. It is suggested to use fly ash as a binder of microfines.
The Low‐Temperature Toughness Improvement of High‐Strength Low‐Alloy Steel Due to the Microstructural Changes Caused by the Reheating/Rolling Temperature
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhao Hong‐Li , Tian Yong , Wang Bing‐Xing , Wang Bin
Published: March 2024

Herein, the microstructure, low‐temperature toughness, and fracture characteristics of high‐strength low‐alloy (HSLA) steel prepared by various thermomechanical control processes are systematically studied. Three different reheating/rolling temperatures are designed to obtain microstructures with different prior austenite grain sizes: 20.12 μm (S810), 27.58 μm (S910), and 35.19 μm (S1010). After hot rolling, S810 steel with smaller prior austenite grain size can provide high‐density deformed grain boundaries that promote ferrite phase transformation. The S910 and S1010 steels predominantly undergo bainite transformation as the prior austenite grain size and rolling temperature increase. Also, excellent low‐temperature toughness is obtained by reducing the reheating/rolling temperature (i.e., S810 steel), reflecting that Charpy impact energy of the core of the steel plate is 118.53 J at −120 °C. High performances is mainly attributed to the higher ferrite content, grain refinement, lower dislocation density, and higher proportion of high‐angle grain boundaries. Furthermore, fracture morphology analysis demonstrates that the S810 steel exhibits ductile fracture and noticeable plastic deformation at −120 °C, while S910 and S1010 steels exhibit brittle fracture and rapid crack propagation. These findings manifest the applicability of the suggested technique in preparing HSLA steel with excellent low‐temperature toughness.
Role of M4‐receptor cholinergic signaling in direct pathway striatal projection neurons during dopamine depletion
Authors: Avilés‐Rosas V. H. , Rendón‐Ochoa E. A. , Hernández‐Flores T. , Flores‐León M. , Arias C. , Galarraga E. , Bargas J.
Published: March 2024

Direct pathway striatal projection neurons (dSPNs) are characterized by the expression of dopamine (DA) class 1 receptors (D1R), as well as cholinergic muscarinic M1 and M4 receptors (M1R, M4R). D1R enhances neuronal firing through phosphorylation of voltage‐gate calcium channels (CaV1 Ca2+ channels) activating Gs proteins and protein kinase A (PKA). Concurrently, PKA suppresses phosphatase PP‐1 through DARPP‐32, thus extending this facilitatory modulation. M1R also influences Ca2+ channels in SPNs through Gq proteins and protein kinase C. However, the signaling mechanisms of M4R in dSPNs are less understood. Two pathways are attributed to M4R: an inhibitory one through Gi/o proteins, and a facilitatory one via the cyclin Cdk5. Our study reveals that a previously observed facilitatory modulation via CaV1 Ca2+ channels is linked to the Cdk5 pathway in dSPNs. This result could be significant in treating parkinsonism. Therefore, we questioned whether this effect persists post DA‐depletion in experimental parkinsonism. Our findings indicate that in such conditions, M4R activation leads to a decrease in Ca2+ current and an increased M4R protein level, contrasting with the control response. Nevertheless, parkinsonian and control actions are inhibited by the Cdk5 inhibitor roscovitine, suggesting Cdk5's role in both conditions. Cdk5 may activate PP‐1 via PKA inhibition in DA depletion. Indeed, we found that inhibiting PP‐1 restores control M4R actions, implying that PP‐1 is overly active via M4Rs in DA‐depleted condition. These insights contribute to understanding how DA‐depletion alters modulatory signaling in striatal neurons. Additional working hypotheses are discussed.
Research on Detection and Defense Methods for Software‐Defined Network Architecture after Hybrid Attack by Distributed Denial of Service
Authors: Xiao Hongfei , Xiang Tao , Tang Shiqi
Published: March 2024

The architecture of software‐defined network (SDN)enhances the openness of the network by separating the control and forwarding functions, but the centralized SDN control form is susceptible to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. In this paper, entropy value and back‐propagation neural network (BPNN) were applied to the DDoS attack detection of SDN, and then the two detection algorithms were simulated in MATLAB software and compared with the K‐means algorithm. The results showed that in the face of four DDoS attacks, SYN Flood, ACK Flood, UDP Flood and ICMP Flood, the BPNN‐based DDoS detection had higher accuracy and less detection time; the switch that adopted the BPNN‐based DDoS detection algorithm adjusted the traffic ratio back to normal level faster when facing DDoS attacks, reducing the impact on other switches and maintaining the traffic stability of the network. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Clinical practice guideline on bladder cancer (Part II)
Authors: Dong Xiying , Song Gang , Guan Kaopeng , Wang Tie , Feng Xiaoli , Liu Yulin , Liu Min , Ji Zhigang , Li Xiao , Li Jiongming , Zhang Yong , Zhou Fangjian , Zhou Aiping , Xu Wanhai , Xu Tao , Gao Xianshu , Zhai Qing , Wei Qiang , Xing Nianzeng
Published: March 2024

Bladder cancer (BC) is an increasingly common malignancy in China, with an incidence rate of 5.80 per 100 000 in 2015, making it the thirteenth most common cancer in the country. This trend underscores the urgent need for standardized diagnosis and treatment protocols. In terms of treatment, approaches for bladder cancer vary based on the cancer's stage and pathology, as well as the patient's overall health. Notably, non‐muscle‐invasive BC (NMIBC) confined to the mucosa (Ta) and lamina propria (T1) without invading the muscle represents about 75% of all BC cases. Succeeding the first part of the guideline, this part of the clinical practice guideline focuses on NMIBC. It details risk classifications and treatment options, including both surgical procedures and posttransurethral resection of the bladder tumor intravesical instillations. Special attention is given to the treatment strategies for carcinoma in situ. The guideline also covers the recommended follow‐up procedures for patients with NMIBC, underscoring the need for thorough and continuous care management.
The time validity of Philip's two‐term infiltration equation: An elusive theoretical quantity?
Authors: Vrugt Jasper A. , Hopmans Jan W. , Gao Yifu , Rahmati Mehdi , Vanderborght Jan , Vereecken Harry
Published: March 2024

The two‐term infiltration equation  is commonly used to determine the sorptivity, , and product, , of the dimensionless multiple and saturated soil hydraulic conductivity from cumulative vertical infiltration measurements (L) at times (T). This reduced form of the quasi‐analytical power series solution of Richardson's equation of Philip enjoys a solid physical underpinning but at the expense of a limited time validity. Using simulated infiltration data, Jaiswal et al. have shown this time validity to equal about 2.5 cm of cumulative infiltration. The goals of this work are twofold. First, we investigate the extent to which cumulative infiltration measurements larger than 2.5 cm bias the estimates of and . Second, we investigate the impact of epistemic errors on the inferred time validities and parameters. Partial infiltration curves up to 2.5 cm of cumulative vertical infiltration improve substantially the agreement between actual and least squares estimates of and . But this only holds if the data generating infiltration process follows Richardson's equation and experimental conditions satisfy assumptions of soil homogeneity and a uniform initial water content. Otherwise, autocorrelated cumulative infiltration residuals will bias the least squares estimates of and . Our findings reiterate and reinvigorate earlier conclusions of Haverkamp et al. and show that epistemic errors deteriorate the physical significance of the coefficients of infiltration functions. As a result, the parameters of infiltration functions cannot simply be used in storm water and vadose zone flow models to forecast runoff and recharge at field and landscape scales unless these predictions are accompanied by realistic uncertainty bounds. We conclude that the time validity of Philip's two‐term equation is an elusive theoretical quantity with arbitrary physical meaning.
Camera traps reveal seasonal variation in activity and occupancy of the Alpine mountain hare Lepus timidus varronis
Authors: Bison Marjorie , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Carlson Bradley Z. , Bayle Arthur , Delestrade Anne
Published: March 2024

Mountain hare is a cold‐adapted species threatened by climate change, but despite its emblematic nature, our understanding of the causes of population decline remains limited. Camera traps are increasingly used in ecology as a tool for monitoring animal populations at large spatial and temporal scales. In mountain environments where field work is constrained by difficult access and harsh conditions, camera traps constitute a promising tool for surveying rare and elusive species such as the mountain hare. Our study explored the use of camera traps as a tool for studying seasonal habitat occupancy and daily activity patterns of the mountain hare, in order to carry out long‐term monitoring of populations. We installed 46 camera traps along elevation gradients in the Mont‐Blanc massif (France) from January 2018 to June 2022. We measured habitat variables at each camera trap site in order to define vegetation composition and habitat structure. We performed multi‐season and single‐season occupancy models to respectively describe habitat occupancy of the mountain hare throughout the year and identify the environmental variables influencing mountain hare presence during the breeding season. Mountain hares occupy coniferous forest in winter, and then switch to mixed areas of shrubland and grassland above treeline in spring and the beginning of summer. In spring, occupancy probability of the mountain hare increases with relative cover of mixed low shrub and herbaceous layer (i.e. the 10–40 cm vegetation layer), suggesting a link to food resources and protection from predation. Our results also confirm the nocturnal and crepuscular activity of the mountain hare during the breeding season, and strictly nocturnal activity in winter. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of camera traps as tools for monitoring mountain hare habitat occupancy in mountain environments and underline the importance of diverse habitat mosaics for the preservation of the species.
Advances in nanoprobes for molecular MRI of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Parekh Parag , Badachhape Andrew A. , Tanifum Eric A. , Annapragada Ananth V. , Ghaghada Ketan B.
Published: March 2024

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and a leading cause of mortality in the elderly population. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease has traditionally relied on evaluation of clinical symptoms for cognitive impairment with a definitive diagnosis requiring post‐mortem demonstration of neuropathology. However, advances in disease pathogenesis have revealed that patients exhibit Alzheimer's disease pathology several decades before the manifestation of clinical symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the management of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The clinical availability of molecular MRI (mMRI) contrast agents can revolutionize the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In this article, we review advances in nanoparticle contrast agents, also referred to as nanoprobes, for mMRI of Alzheimer's disease.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease
Talking About Religion During Religious War: Gilles de Gouberville, Normandy, 1562
Authors: Reinburg Virginia
Published: March 2024

This chapter investigates a series of recorded private conversations between noblemen at the time of the French wars of religion, suggesting how people talked to each other about religion during a war over religion. Circling around an enigmatic conversation in August 1562, the chapter engages with everyday talk as an engine of both discord and bonding via Gilles de Gouberville’s daily record of meetings with friends and neighbours. Reinburg’s contribution stresses the power of conversation in establishing one’s alliances, beliefs, and allegiances, and how recorded conversations reveal people’s thoughts about broader conflicts.
The geometry of the modular bootstrap
Authors: Chiang Li-Yuan , Huang Tzu-Chen , Huang Yu-tin , Li Wei , Rodina Laurentiu , Weng He-Chen
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We explore the geometry behind the modular bootstrap and its image in the space of Taylor coefficients of the torus partition function. In the first part, we identify the geometry as an intersection of planes with the convex hull of moment curves on R+⊗ℤ, with boundaries characterized by the total positivity of generalized Hankel matrices. We phrase the Hankel constraints as a semi-definite program, which has several advantages, such as the validity of bounds irrespective of spin truncation. We derive bounds on the gap, twist-gap, and the space of Taylor coefficients themselves. We find that if the gap is above $$ {\Delta }_{\textrm{gap}}^{\ast } $$

∆
gap
∗

, where $$ \frac{c-1}{12}<{\Delta}_{\textrm{gap}}^{\ast }<\frac{c}{12} $$

c
−
1

12

<

Δ
gap
∗

<

c
12

, all coefficients become bounded on both sides and kinks develop in the space. In the second part, we propose an analytic method of imposing the integrality condition for the degeneracy number in the spinless bootstrap, which leads to a non-convex geometry. We find that even at very low derivative order this condition rules out regions otherwise allowed by bootstraps at high derivative order.
Trace relations and open string vacua
Authors: Lee Ji Hoon
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We study to what extent, and in what form, the notion of gauge-string duality may persist at finite N. It is shown, in the half-BPS sector, that the states of D3 giant graviton branes in AdS5 × S5 are holographically dual to certain auxiliary ghosts that compensate for finite N trace relations in U(N) $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills. The complex formed from spaces of states of bulk D3 giants is observed to furnish a BRST-like resolution of the half-BPS Hilbert space of U(N) $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM at finite N. We argue that the identification between the states of certain bulk D-branes and the auxiliary ghosts in the boundary holds rather generally at vanishing ’t Hooft coupling λ = 0. We propose that a complex, which furnishes a BRST-like resolution of the finite N Hilbert space of a boundary U(N) gauge theory at λ = 0, should be identified as the space of states of the dual string theory in the α′ → ∞ limit. The Lefschetz trace formula provides the holographic map in this regime, where bulk observables are computed by taking the alternating sum of the expectation values in an ensemble of states built on each open string vacuum. The giant graviton expansion is recovered and generalized in a limit of the resolution.
Schur indices for $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 super-Yang-Mills with more general gauge groups
Authors: Du Bao-ning , Huang Min-xin , Wang Xin
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We study the unflavored Schur indices in the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super-Yang-Mills theory for the Bn, Cn, Dn, G2 gauge groups. We explore two methods, namely the character expansion method and the Fermi gas method, to efficiently compute the q-series expansion of the Schur indices to some high orders. Using the available data and the modular properties, we are able to fix the exact formulas for the general gauge groups up to some high ranks and discover some interesting new features. We also identify some empirical modular anomaly equations, but unlike the case of An groups, they are quite complicated and not sufficiently useful to fix exact formulas for gauge groups of arbitrary rank.
Non-perturbative wavefunction of the universe in inflation with (resonant) features
Authors: Creminelli Paolo , Renaux-Petel Sébastien , Tambalo Giovanni , Yingcharoenrat Vicharit
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We study the statistics of scalar perturbations in models of inflation with small and rapid oscillations in the inflaton potential (resonant non-Gaussianity). We do so by deriving the wavefunction Ψ[ζ(x)] non-perturbatively in ζ, but at first order in the amplitude of the oscillations. The expression of the wavefunction of the universe (WFU) is explicit and does not require solving partial differential equations. One finds qualitative deviations from perturbation theory for |ζ| ≳ α−2, where α ≫ 1 is the number of oscillations per Hubble time. Notably, the WFU exhibits distinct behaviours for negative and positive values of ζ (troughs and peaks respectively). While corrections for ζ < 0 remain relatively small, of the order of the oscillation amplitude, positive ζ yields substantial effects, growing exponentially as eπα/2 in the limit of large ζ. This indicates that even minute oscillations give large effects on the tail of the distribution.
MDSC-derived S100A8/9 contributes to lupus pathogenesis by promoting TLR7-mediated activation of macrophages and dendritic cells
Authors: Yang Yonghong , Zhang Xin , Jing Lina , Xiao Yucai , Gao Yangzhe , Hu Yuxin , Jia Shujiao , Zhou Guangxi , Xiong Huabao , Dong Guanjun
Published: March 2024

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), especially TLR7, play an important role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying the abnormal activation of TLR pathways in patients with SLE has not been elucidated. Notably, accumulating evidence indicates that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are important regulators of inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Compared with healthy control subjects, patients with SLE have a greater proportion of MDSCs among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); however, the effect of MDSCs on TLR7 pathway activation has not been determined. In the present study, lupus MDSCs significantly promoted TLR7 pathway activation in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), exacerbating the imiquimod-induced lupus model. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed significant overexpression of S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) and S100A9 in MDSCs from diseased MRL/lpr mice. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that S100A8/9 effectively promoted TLR7 pathway activation and that S100A8/9 deficiency reversed the promoting effect of MDSCs on TLR7 pathway activation in lupus. Mechanistically, MDSC-derived S100A8/9 upregulated interferon gamma (IFN-γ) secretion by macrophages and IFN-γ subsequently promoted TLR7 pathway activation in an autocrine manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that lupus MDSCs promote TLR7 pathway activation and lupus pathogenesis through the S100A8/9-IFN-γ axis. Our study identified an important target for SLE therapy.
On Recursion Operators for Full-Fledged Nonlocal Symmetries of the Reduced Quasi-classical Self-dual Yang–Mills Equation
Authors: Jahnová Jiřina , Vojčák Petr
Published: March 2024

We introduce the idea of constructing recursion operators for full-fledged nonlocal symmetries and apply it to the reduced quasi-classical self-dual Yang–Mills equation. It turns out that the discovered recursion operators can be interpreted as infinite-dimensional matrices of differential functions which act on the generating vector functions of the nonlocal symmetries simply by matrix multiplication. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other examples of such recursion operators in the literature so far, so our approach is completely innovative. Further, we investigate the algebraic properties of the discovered operators and discuss the $${\mathbb {R}}$$
R
-algebra structure on the set of all recursion operators for full-fledged nonlocal symmetries of the equation in question. Finally, we illustrate the action of the obtained recursion operators on particularly chosen full-fledged symmetries and emphasize their advantages compared to the action of traditionally used recursion operators for shadows.
Longitudinal associations between loneliness, social isolation, and healthcare utilisation trajectories: a latent growth curve analysis
Authors: Gao Qian , Mak Hei Wan , Fancourt Daisy
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To explore the longitudinal associations between eight-year trajectories of loneliness, social isolation and healthcare utilisation (i.e. inpatient, outpatient, and nursing home care) in US older adults.

Methods

The study used data from the Health and Retirement Study in 2006–2018, which included a nationally representative sample of American adults aged 50 and above (N = 6,832). We conducted latent growth curve models to assess the associations between trajectories of loneliness and isolation and healthcare utilisation over 8 years.

Results

Independent of sociodemographic and health-related confounders, social deficits were associated with a lower likelihood of baseline physician visits (loneliness β= -0.15, SE = 0.08; social isolation β= -0.19, SE = 0.08), but there was a positive association between loneliness and number of physician visits (β = 0.06, SE = 0.03), while social isolation was associated with extended hospital (β = 0.07, SE = 0.04) and nursing home stays (β = 0.05, SE = 0.02). Longer nursing home stays also predicted better trajectories of loneliness and isolation over time.

Conclusion

Loneliness and social isolation are cross-sectionally related to complex patterns of different types of healthcare. There was no clear evidence that social deficits led to specific trajectories of healthcare utilisation, but nursing home stays may over time help provide social contact, supporting trajectories of isolation and potentially loneliness. Non-clinical services such as social prescribing could have the potential to address unmet social needs and further promote patients’ health-seeking profiles for improving healthcare equity.
Developmental trajectories of conduct problems and time-varying peer problems: the Bergen child study
Authors: Girard Lisa-Christine , Bøe Tormod , Nilsen Sondre Aasen , Askeland Kristin Gärtner , Hysing Mari
Published: March 2024

Background

While it is increasingly acknowledged that conduct problems and peer problems often co-occur in development, less is known about the ways in which peer problems may alter the developmental course of conduct problems for distinct subgroups.

Methods

Using data from a large population-based study in Norway (the Bergen Child Study/youth@hordaland; 47.4% males), we estimated group-based trajectories of conduct problems and the presence of time-varying peer problems on the developmental progression of conduct problems between seven and 19 years of age. Risk factors for group membership were also examined.

Results

A 3-group model of conduct problems best fit the data (non-engagers, low-engagers, moderate-stable). The presence of peer problems increased the estimated level of conduct problems for both the low-engagers and moderate-stable groups across adolescence. No differences in conduct problems were observed when peer problems were present in childhood or preadolescence for these two groups, nor for the non-engagers group at any point. Being male, having lower perceived economic wellbeing, and lower levels of parental education predicted group membership for the moderate-stable group, whilst lower paternal education predicted membership for the low-engagers group.

Conclusions

Support for developmental ‘turning points’ was found, suggesting that adolescence is a particularly salient time for those with conduct problems. In particular, the presence of peer problems can increase observed conduct problems at this stage in development.
Automatic piecewise linear regression
Authors: von Ottenbreit Mathias , De Bin Riccardo
Published: March 2024

Regression modelling often presents a trade-off between predictiveness and interpretability. Highly predictive and popular tree-based algorithms such as Random Forest and boosted trees predict very well the outcome of new observations, but the effect of the predictors on the result is hard to interpret. Highly interpretable algorithms like linear effect-based boosting and MARS, on the other hand, are typically less predictive. Here we propose a novel regression algorithm, automatic piecewise linear regression (APLR), that combines the predictiveness of a boosting algorithm with the interpretability of a MARS model. In addition, as a boosting algorithm, it automatically handles variable selection, and, as a MARS-based approach, it takes into account non-linear relationships and possible interaction terms. We show on simulated and real data examples how APLR’s performance is comparable to that of the top-performing approaches in terms of prediction, while offering an easy way to interpret the results. APLR has been implemented in C++ and wrapped in a Python package as a Scikit-learn compatible estimator.
Toxicity of particles derived from combustion of Ethiopian traditional biomass fuels in human bronchial and macrophage-like cells
Authors: McCarrick Sarah , Delaval Mathilde N. , Dauter Ulrike M. , Krais Annette M. , Snigireva Anastasiia , Abera Asmamaw , Broberg Karin , Eriksson Axel C. , Isaxon Christina , Gliga Anda R.
Published: March 2024

The combustion of traditional fuels in low-income countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, leads to extensive indoor particle exposure. Yet, the related health consequences in this context are understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of combustion-derived particles relevant for Sub-Saharan household environments. Particles (< 2.5 µm) were collected using a high-volume sampler during combustion of traditional Ethiopian biomass fuels: cow dung, eucalyptus wood and eucalyptus charcoal. Diesel exhaust particles (DEP, NIST 2975) served as reference particles. The highest levels of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found in wood (3219 ng/mg), followed by dung (618 ng/mg), charcoal (136 ng/mg) and DEP (118 ng/mg) (GC–MS). BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells and THP-1 derived macrophages were exposed to particle suspensions (1–150 µg/mL) for 24 h. All particles induced concentration-dependent genotoxicity (comet assay) but no pro-inflammatory cytokine release in epithelial cells, whereas dung and wood particles also induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity (Alamar Blue). Only wood particles induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in macrophage-like cells, while dung particles were unique at increasing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α). In summary, particles derived from combustion of less energy dense fuels like dung and wood had a higher PAH content and were more cytotoxic in epithelial cells. In addition, the least energy dense and cheapest fuel, dung, also induced pro-inflammatory effects in macrophage-like cells. These findings highlight the influence of fuel type on the toxic profile of the emitted particles and warrant further research to understand and mitigate health effects of indoor air pollution.
Baseline prepulse inhibition dependency of orexin A and REM sleep deprivation
Authors: Öz Pınar , Kamalı Osman , Saka Hacer Begüm , Gör Ceren , Uzbay İsmail Tayfun
Published: March 2024

Rationale

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) impairment reflects sensorimotor gating problems, i.e. in schizophrenia. This study aims to enlighten the role of orexinergic regulation on PPI in a psychosis-like model.

Objectives

In order to understand the impact of orexinergic innervation on PPI and how it is modulated by age and baseline PPI (bPPI), chronic orexin A (OXA) injections was carried on non-sleep-deprived and sleep-deprived rats that are grouped by their bPPI.

Methods

bPPI measurements were carried on male Wistar rats on P45 or P90 followed by grouping into low-PPI and high-PPI rats. The rats were injected with OXA twice per day for four consecutive days starting on P49 or P94, while the control groups received saline injections. 72 h REMSD was carried on via modified multiple platform technique on P94 and either OXA or saline was injected during REMSD. PPI tests were carried out 30 min. after the last injection.

Results

Our previous study with acute OXA injection after REMSD without bPPI grouping revealed that low OXA doses might improve REMSD-induced PPI impairment. Our current results present three important conclusions: (1) The effect of OXA on PPI is bPPI-dependent and age-dependent. (2) The effect of REMSD is bPPI-dependent. (3) The effect of OXA on PPI after REMSD also depends on bPPI.

Conclusion

Orexinergic regulation of PPI response with and without REMSD can be predicted by bPPI levels. Our findings provide potential insights into the regulation of sensorimotor gating by sleep/wakefulness systems and present potential therapeutic targets for the disorders, where PPI is disturbed.
The impact of germination and thermal treatments on bioactive compounds of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) seeds
Authors: Dostalíková Lucie , Hlásná Čepková Petra , Janovská Dagmar , Jágr Michal , Svoboda Pavel , Dvořáček Václav , Viehmannová Iva
Published: March 2024

Quinoa is a highly nutritious crop with diverse applications in the food industry. The study assessed the impact of various processing techniques, including microwaving, boiling, roasting, steaming, flaking, and germination, on the crude protein content (CP), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA), and 12 phenolic compounds in quinoa. CP was significantly affected by the heat treatments. Boiled quinoa flakes exhibited the highest average CP, boiling and roasting the lowest. Microwaving strongly enhanced the TPC and the content of six bioactive compounds (CFA, KMP, NAR, QCE, RUT, SA), while boiling and steaming had the most adverse effect. Germination improved the overall nutritional profile of quinoa. The most pronounced increase in the bioactive metabolites occurred between the third and fifth day of germination in a genotype-dependent manner. Six metabolites (NAR, SA, 4BA, IQ, PC, IH) were detected in germinated quinoa for the first time. The results emphasize the substantial influence of processing techniques and type of sample on quinoa nutritional quality and underscore the importance of proper consideration of those factors to obtain nutritionally optimal food products.
Establishment and application of a nomogram diagram for predicting calcium oxalate stones in patients with urinary tract stones
Authors: Zhu Guanhua , Jin Lichen , Guo Yinsheng , Sun Lu , Li Shiqing , Zhou Feng
Published: March 2024

This retrospective study aims to examine the correlation between calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones and common clinical tests, as well as urine ionic composition. Additionally, we aim to develop and implement a personalized model to assess the accuracy and feasibility of using charts to predict calcium oxalate stones in patients with urinary tract stones. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 960 patients who underwent surgery for urinary stones at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2022. Among these patients, 447 were selected for further analysis based on screening criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed to identify the best predictive features for calcium oxalate stones from the clinical data of the selected patients. A prediction model was developed using these features and presented in the form of a nomogram graph. The performance of the prediction model was assessed using the C-index, calibration curve, and decision curve, which evaluated its discriminative power, calibration, and clinical utility, respectively. The nomogram diagram prediction model developed in this study is effective in predicting calcium oxalate stones which is helpful in screening and early identification of high-risk patients with calcium oxalate urinary tract stones, and may be a guide for urologists in making clinical treatment decisions.
Impact of bariatric surgery on oral anticancer drugs: an analysis of real-world data
Authors: Lau Cedric , Mohmaed Ali Ma Ida , Lin Lishi , van Balen Dorieke E. M. , Jacobs Bart A. W. , Nuijen Bastiaan , Smeenk Robert M. , Steeghs Neeltje , Huitema Alwin D. R.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The number of patients with bariatric surgery who receive oral anticancer drugs is rising. Bariatric surgery may affect the absorption of oral anticancer drugs. Strikingly, no specific drug dosing recommendations are available. We aim to provide practical recommendations on the application of oral anticancer drugs in patients who underwent bariatric surgery.

Methods

Patients with any kind of bariatric surgery were extracted retrospectively in a comprehensive cancer center. In addition, a flowchart was proposed to assess the risk of inadequate exposure to oral anticancer drugs in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Subsequently, the flowchart was evaluated retrospectively using routine Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) samples.

Results

In our analysis, 571 cancer patients (0.4% of 140.000 treated or referred patients) had previous bariatric surgery. Of these patients, 78 unique patients received 152 oral anticancer drugs equaling an overall number of 30 unique drugs. The 30 different prescribed oral anticancer drugs were categorized as low risk (13%), medium risk (67%), and high risk (20%) of underdosing. TDM plasma samples of 25 patients (82 samples) were available, of which 21 samples post-bariatric surgery (25%) were below the target value.

Conclusions

The proposed flowchart can support optimizing the treatment with orally administered anticancer drugs in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. We recommend performing TDM in drugs that belong to BCS classes II, III, or IV. If more risk factors are present in BCS classes II or IV, a priori switches to other drugs may be advised. In specific cases, higher dosages can be provided from the start (e.g., tamoxifen).
Wheat Drought Tolerance: Morpho-Physiological Criteria, Stress Indexes, and Yield Responses in Newly Sand Soils
Authors: Ghanem Hanan Essa , Al-Farouk M. O.
Published: March 2024

Drought presents a major risk to wheat growth and productivity under changing climates. During the last few years, various morphological and physiological approaches were used to overcome drought stress-associated problems. Cultivation of tolerant wheat cultivars can serve as a sustainable choice to raise wheat yield under water stress. Herein, field trials were carried out at the experimental farm of Ismailia Agricultural Research Station, Egypt, in two successive growing seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) to investigate the response of four Egyptian bread wheat cultivars (Misr 1, Misr 3, Giza 171, and Sakha 95) to drought stress according to morpho-physiological characteristics, yield, and stress indices. Irrigation treatments and cultivars were assigned to the main and sub-plots, consequently, in a split-plot design with three replicates. The findings revealed that in both the first and second seasons, drought drastically revoked growth vigor of shoot, growth vigor of flag leaf, relative water content (%), membrane stability index (%), photosynthetic pigments, heading (days), maturity (days), as well as yield and yield attributes: spike length, number of spikes/m2, spike weight, grain number/spike, 100-kernel weight, grain yield/m2, straw yield/m2, biological yield/m2, and harvest index of all four wheat cultivars. Conversely, drought caused a marked increase in saturation water deficit (%), carotenoids content, and NKP uptake of all four wheat cultivars in both study seasons. The current study found that all four of the wheat cultivars were drought-tolerant plants. These cultivars exhibited similar drought-tolerant behaviors, which included decreased loss in relative water content, membrane stability, and photosynthetic pigment levels, consequently reducing wheat grain yield loss under water stress. Additionally, the drought tolerance indices of Sakha 95 > Giza 171 > Misr 1 > Misr 3 were revealed by the stress sensitivity index (SSI), mean productivity (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), and yield stability index (YSI). In conclusion, Misr 3 was the least tolerant wheat cultivar and Sakha 95 was the most tolerant. These results can be applied to breeding programs by plant breeders.
Automated shape and thickness optimization for non-matching isogeometric shells using free-form deformation
Authors: Zhao Han , Kamensky David , Hwang John T. , Chen Jiun-Shyan
Published: March 2024

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) has emerged as a promising approach in the field of structural optimization, benefiting from the seamless integration between the computer-aided design (CAD) geometry and the analysis model by employing non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) as basis functions. However, structural optimization for real-world CAD geometries consisting of multiple non-matching NURBS patches remains a challenging task. In this work, we propose a unified formulation for shape and thickness optimization of separately parametrized shell structures by adopting the free-form deformation (FFD) technique, so that continuity with respect to design variables is preserved at patch intersections during optimization. Shell patches are modeled with isogeometric Kirchhoff–Love theory and coupled using a penalty-based method in the analysis. We use Lagrange extraction to link the control points associated with the B-spline FFD block and shell patches, and we perform IGA using the same extraction matrices by taking advantage of existing finite element assembly procedures in the FEniCS partial differential equation (PDE) solution library. Moreover, we enable automated analytical derivative computation by leveraging advanced code generation in FEniCS, thereby facilitating efficient gradient-based optimization algorithms. The framework is validated using a collection of benchmark problems, demonstrating its applications to shape and thickness optimization of aircraft wings with complex shell layouts.
A Tutorial Review of the Solar Power Curve: Regressions, Model Chains, and Their Hybridization and Probabilistic Extensions
Authors: Yang Dazhi , Xia Xiang’ao , Mayer Martin János
Published: March 2024

Owing to the persisting hype in pushing toward global carbon neutrality, the study scope of atmospheric science is rapidly expanding. Among numerous trending topics, energy meteorology has been attracting the most attention hitherto. One essential skill of solar energy meteorologists is solar power curve modeling, which seeks to map irradiance and auxiliary weather variables to solar power, by statistical and/or physical means. In this regard, this tutorial review aims to deliver a complete overview of those fundamental scientific and engineering principles pertaining to the solar power curve. Solar power curves can be modeled in two primary ways, one of regression and the other of model chain. Both classes of modeling approaches, alongside their hybridization and probabilistic extensions, which allow accuracy improvement and uncertainty quantification, are scrutinized and contrasted thoroughly in this review.
Mutation in Arabidopsis mitochondrial Pentatricopeptide repeat 40 gene affects tolerance to water deficit
Authors: Kant Kamal , Rigó Gábor , Faragó Dóra , Benyó Dániel , Tengölics Roland , Szabados László , Zsigmond Laura
Published: March 2024

Main Conclusion

The Arabidopsis Pentatricopeptide repeat 40 (PPR40) insertion mutants have increased tolerance to water deficit compared to wild-type plants. Tolerance is likely the consequence of ABA hypersensitivity of the mutants.

Plant growth and development depend on multiple environmental factors whose alterations can disrupt plant homeostasis and trigger complex molecular and physiological responses. Water deficit is one of the factors which can seriously restrict plant growth and viability. Mitochondria play an important role in cellular metabolism, energy production, and redox homeostasis. During drought and salinity stress, mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to ROS overproduction and oxidative stress, affecting plant growth and survival. Alternative oxidases (AOXs) and stabilization of mitochondrial electron transport chain help mitigate ROS damage. The mitochondrial Pentatricopeptide repeat 40 (PPR40) protein was implicated in stress regulation as ppr40 mutants were found to be hypersensitive to ABA and high salinity during germination. This study investigated the tolerance of the knockout ppr40-1 and knockdown ppr40-2 mutants to water deprivation. Our results show that these mutants display an enhanced tolerance to water deficit. The mutants had higher relative water content, reduced level of oxidative damage, and better photosynthetic parameters in water-limited conditions compared to wild-type plants. ppr40 mutants had considerable differences in metabolic profiles and expression of a number of stress-related genes, suggesting important metabolic reprogramming. Tolerance to water deficit was also manifested in higher survival rates and alleviated growth reduction when watering was suspended. Enhanced sensitivity to ABA and fast stomata closure was suggested to lead to improved capacity for water conservation in such environment. Overall, this study highlights the importance of mitochondrial functions and in particular PPR40 in plant responses to abiotic stress, particularly drought.