bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation and evolution of a magmatic system in the Indian passive margin: Insights from the Triassic Yumai Complex from the eastern Tethyan Himalaya
Authors: Wang Chao , Ding Lin , Wang Houqi , Cai Fulong , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Liyun , Yue Yahui
Published: September 2023

The Indian passive margin has preserved several pulses of magmatism during and after the disassembly of Gondwana since the late Paleozoic, providing valuable insights into the long-term magmatic evolution of various passive margins, including the Indian passive margin. In the Yumai Complex, eastern Tethyan Himalaya, a pulse of Late Triassic alkaline volcanism (ca. 227–216 Ma) is evident. The Late Triassic volcanic rocks are mildly alkaline to tholeiitic basalts with minor ultrabasic rocks, similar in geochemistry to within-plate flood basalts. The TiO2 contents (1.46–3.38 wt%, mainly >2 wt%), (La/Yb)N values (4.05–7.50), εNd (t) values (+4.86 to +6.98), and results from partial-melt modeling suggest that the basalts likely originated from garnet peridotite. Elemental and Sr-Nd systematics of magmatic rocks emplaced during the Triassic indicate oceanic island basalt (OIB) components in the magma source, interpreted as enriched mantle components rather than crustal contamination products. Spatiotemporal and geochemical patterns of magmatism reveal that the bulk compositions of the basalts changed from enriched OIB-like to depleted mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB)–like compositions. This phenomenon likely resulted from the evolving nature of the rifting basin, changing from a nascent continental setting to a mature ocean basin. The Triassic magmatism in the Tethyan Himalaya can be attributed to remnant lithospheric instability arising from the prolonged rifting of eastern Gondwana, leading to the formation of a magmatically passive margin.
Porphyria cutanea tarda: an under-recognised manifestation of haemochromatosis
Authors: Goh Jing Wei , Ong Cheng Ken , Abdullah Khaled M
Published: September 2023

We present a case of a woman who presented with a photosensitive skin rash and blisters on her extremities which did not improve with steroids. These were associated with polyarthralgia and a deranged liver function test on her admission. Further workup revealed that the patient has an undiagnosed porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and hereditary haemochromatosis. The patient later underwent regular venesections which improved her condition. This case report not only illustrates the challenge in diagnosing PCT but also aims to highlight the association between PCT and hereditary haemochromatosis.
Study protocol for NeuroCARE: a randomised controlled trial of a psychological intervention for caregivers of patients with primary malignant brain tumours
Authors: Forst Deborah Anne , Rhee John Y , Mesa Michelle Marie , Podgurski Alyx F , Strander Sumita Madhok , Datta Shibani , Kaslow-Zieve Emilia , Horick Nora K , Greer Joseph A , El-Jawahri Areej , Sannes Timothy S , Temel Jennifer S , Jacobs Jamie
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Caregivers of patients with primary malignant brain tumours experience substantial psychological distress while caring for someone with a progressive, life-limiting neurological illness. However, there are few interventions aimed at addressing the psychosocial needs of this population. We developed and are testing a population-specific, evidence-based, telehealth intervention (NeuroCARE) to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve psychosocial functioning in this caregiver population.

Methods and analysis

This study is a non-blinded, randomised controlled trial of a psychological intervention for caregivers of patients with primary malignant brain tumours receiving care at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. We will enrol 120 caregivers who screen positive for heightened anxiety. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to the NeuroCARE intervention or a usual care control condition. Caregivers assigned to NeuroCARE will complete six individual telehealth sessions with a trained behavioural health specialist over 12 weeks. Caregivers randomised to the control condition will receive usual care, including possible referral to social work or other appropriate resources. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires at baseline and 11 weeks and 16 weeks postrandomisation. The primary outcome is anxiety symptoms at 11 weeks among NeuroCARE participants, compared with usual care. Secondary outcomes include caregiver-reported depressive symptoms, quality of life, caregiver burden, caregiving self-efficacy, perceived coping skills and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. We also will explore potential mediators of the NeuroCARE effect on caregiver anxiety symptoms.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is funded by a Career Development Award from Conquer Cancer, the American Society of Clinical Oncology Foundation (award number 2019CDA-7743456038) and approved by the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Institutional Review Board (Protocol #19-250 V.10.1). The study will be reported in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement for non-pharmacological trials. Results will be presented at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04109209
Protocol for the YORKSURe prospective multistage study testing the feasibility for early detection of bladder cancer in populations with high disease-specific mortality risk
Authors: Catto James WF , North Bernard , Goff Megan , Carter Abigail , Sleeth Michelle , Mandrik Olena , Chilcott Jim , Sasieni Peter , Cumberbatch Marcus G K
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Around 25% of patients with bladder cancer (BCa) present with invasive disease. Non-randomised studies of population-based screening have suggested reductions in BCa-specific mortality are possible through earlier detection. The low prevalence of lethal disease in the general population means screening is not cost-effective and there is no consensus on the best strategy. Yorkshire has some of the highest mortality rates from BCa in England. We aim to test whether population screening in a region of high mortality risk will lead to a downward stage-migration of aggressive BCa, improved survival and is cost-effective.

Methods and analysis

YORKSURe is a tiered, randomised, multicohort study to test the feasibility of a large BCa screening randomised controlled trial. In three parallel cohorts, participants will self-test urine (at home) up to six times. Results are submitted via a mobile app or freephone. Those with a positive result will be invited for further investigation at community-based early detection clinics or within usual National Health Service (NHS) pathways. In Cohort 1, we will post self-testing kits to research engaged participants (n=2000) embedded within the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial. In Cohort 2, we will post self-testing kits to 3000 invitees. Cohort 2 participants will be randomised between haematuria and glycosuria testing using a reveal/conceal design. In Cohort 3, we will post self-testing kits to 500 patients within the NHS pathway for investigation of haematuria. Our primary outcomes are rates of recruitment and randomisation, rates of positive test and acceptability of the design. The study is currently recruiting and scheduled to finish in June 2023.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received the following approvals: London Riverside Research Ethics Committee (22/LO/0018) and Health Research Authority Confidentiality Advisory Group (20/CAG/0009). Results will be made available to providers and researchers via publicly accessible scientific journals.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN34273159.
Socioeconomic disparities in the management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Weight Nicholas , Moledina Saadiq , Volgman Annabelle Santos , Bagur Rodrigo , Wijeysundera Harindra C , Sun Louise Y , Chadi Alraies M , Rashid Muhammad , Kontopantelis Evangelos , Mamas Mamas A
Published: September 2023

Background

Patients from lower socioeconomic status areas have poorer outcomes following acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, how ethnicity modifies such socioeconomic disparities is unclear.

Methods

Using the UK Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) registry, we divided 370 064 patients with AMI into quintiles based on Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) score, comprising seven domains including income, health, employment and education. We compared white and ‘ethnic-minority’ patients, comprising Black, Asian and mixed ethnicity patients (as recorded in MINAP); further analyses compared the constituents of the ethnic-minority group. Logistic regression models examined the role of the IMD, ethnicity and their interaction on the odds of in-hospital mortality.

Results

More patients from the most deprived quintile (Q5) were from ethnic-minority backgrounds (Q5; 15% vs Q1; 4%). In-hospital mortality (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.19, p=0.025) and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.15, p=0.048) were more likely in Q5, and MACE was more likely in ethnic-minority patients (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.95, p=0.048) versus white (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.13, p=0.027) in Q5. In subgroup analyses, Black patients had the highest in-hospital mortality within the most affluent quintile (Q1) (Black: 0.079, 95% CI 0.046 to 0.112, p<0.001; White: 0.062, 95% CI 0.059 to 0.066, p<0.001), but not in Q5 (Black: 0.065, 95% CI 0.054 to 0.077, p<0.001; White: 0.065, 95% CI 0.061 to 0.069, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with a higher deprivation score were more often from an ethnic-minority background, more likely to suffer in-hospital mortality or MACE when compared with the most affluent quintile, and this relationship was stronger in ethnic minorities compared with White patients.
Long-term cardiac follow-up of athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2 after resumption of elite-level sports
Authors: van Hattum Juliette C , Daems Joëlle J N , Verwijs Sjoerd M , Wismans Leonoor V , van Diepen Maarten A , Groenink Maarten , Boekholdt S Matthijs , Planken R Nils , van Randen Adrienne , Hirsch Alexander , Moen Maarten H , Pinto Yigal M , Wilde Arthur A M , Jørstad Harald T
Published: September 2023

Objective

Longitudinal consequences and potential interactions of COVID-19 and elite-level sports and exercise are unclear. Therefore, we determined the long-term detrimental cardiac effects of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the highest level of sports and exercise.

Methods

This prospective controlled study included elite athletes from the Evaluation of Lifetime participation in Intensive Top-level sports and Exercise cohort. Athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2were offered structured, additional cardiovascular screenings, including cardiovascular MRI (CMR). We compared ventricular volumes and function, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T1 relaxation times, between infected and non-infected elite athletes, and collected follow-up data on cardiac adverse events, ventricular arrhythmia burden and the cessation of sports careers.

Results

We included 259 elite athletes (mean age 26±5 years; 40% women), of whom 123 were infected (9% cardiovascular symptoms) and 136 were controls. We found no differences in function and volumetric CMR parameters. Four infected athletes (3%) demonstrated LGE (one reversible), compared with none of the controls. During the 26.7 (±5.8) months follow-up, all four athletes resumed elite-level sports, without an increase in ventricular arrhythmias or adverse cardiac remodelling. None of the infected athletes reported new cardiac symptoms or events. The majority (n=118; 96%) still participated in elite-level sports; no sports careers were terminated due to SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions

This prospective study demonstrates the safety of resuming elite-level sports after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The medium-term risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and elite-level sports appear low, as the resumption of elite sports did not lead to detrimental cardiac effects or increases in clinical events, even in the four elite athletes with SARS-CoV-2 associated myocardial involvement.
Local blockade of tacrolimus promotes T-cell-mediated tumor regression in systemically immunosuppressed hosts
Authors: Veitch Margaret , Beaumont Kimberly , Pouwer Rebecca , Chew Hui Yi , Frazer Ian H , Soyer H Peter , Campbell Scott , Dymock Brian W , Harvey Andrew , Cock Terrie-Anne , Wells James W
Published: September 2023

Background

Immunosuppressive drugs such as tacrolimus have revolutionized our ability to transplant organs between individuals. Tacrolimus acts systemically to suppress the activity of T-cells within and around transplanted organs. However, tacrolimus also suppresses T-cell function in the skin, contributing to a high incidence of skin cancer and associated mortality and morbidity in solid organ transplant recipients. Here, we aimed to identify a compound capable of re-establishing antitumor T-cell control in the skin despite the presence of tacrolimus.

Methods

In this study, we performed time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer to identify molecules capable of antagonizing the interaction between tacrolimus and FKBP12. The capacity of these molecules to rescue mouse and human T-cell function in the presence of tacrolimus was determined in vitro, and the antitumor effect of the lead compound, Q-2361, was assessed in “regressor” models of skin cancer in immunosuppressed mice. Systemic CD8 T-cell depletion and analyses of intratumoral T-cell activation markers and effector molecule production were performed to determine the mechanism of tumor rejection. Pharmacokinetic studies of topically applied Q-2361 were performed to assess skin and systemic drug exposure.

Results

Q-2361 potently blocked the interaction between tacrolimus and FKBP12 and reversed the inhibition of the nuclear factor of activated T cells activation by tacrolimus following T-cell receptor engagement in human Jurkat cells. Q-2361 rescued T-cell function in the presence of tacrolimus, rapamycin, and everolimus. Intratumoral injection of Q-2361-induced tumor regression in mice systemically immune suppressed with tacrolimus. Mechanistically, Q-2361 treatment permitted T-cell activation, proliferation, and effector function within tumors. When CD8 T cells were depleted, Q-2361 could not induce tumor regression. A simple solution-based Q-2361 topical formulation achieved high and sustained residence in the skin with negligible drug in the blood.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that the local application of Q-2361 permits T-cells to become activated driving tumor rejection in the presence of tacrolimus. The data presented here suggests that topically applied Q-2361 has great potential for the reactivation of T-cells in the skin but not systemically, and therefore represents a promising strategy to prevent or treat skin malignancies in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients.
Heart failure virtual consultation: caters for frailer, multimorbid and remote patients
Authors: Wong Bethany , McCambridge Joseph , Barrett Matthew , Ledwidge Mark , McCudden Lisa , Fawsitt Ronan , Gallagher Joseph J , McDonald Kenneth
Published: September 2023

Background: The heart failure (HF) virtual consultation (VC) is an eHealth tool for delivery of peer-to-peer specialist advice to general practitioners (GPs) to discuss HF diagnosis/management. We aim to investigate the impact of the VC service on onward referral rate and quality of assessment by GPs, as well as assess VC patient characteristics; Clinical Frailty Score (CSF), age and morbidity.

Methods: This prospective observational study collected VC data on: demographics, comorbidity, frailty, referral indication, the impact of VC on clinical care and the GP response to the question ‘what would you have done without the VC service’. We compared patient characteristics to a control population of patients attending the HF unit (HFU) (n=118).

Reults: Between 2015 and 2021, 1681 VC cases were discussed. The majority of cases were discussed from remote areas (75%). Rediscussion cases increased from 0% to 34%. VC patients were older (76.2 (±11.3) vs 73.1 (±12.5) years, p<0.05), more frail (CSF=3.8 (±1.7) vs 3 (±1.6), p<0.01) and multimorbid (number of comorbidities=7.1 (±3.4) vs 3.8 (±1.9), p<0.001) compared with patients attending the HFU. Without the VC, 93% of cases would have been referred to face-to-face hospital services. Instead, VC resulted in only 9% of cases being referred to hospital services. The remainder of cases were managed by the VC service, in a shared GP-specialist approach. GP use of natriuretic peptide (NP) increased from 0% in 2015–2016 to 63% in 2021 and use of TTE increased from 0% in 2015–2016 to 69% by 2021.

Conclusions: The VC service provides a platform for case discussion in particular for older, frailer patients and reduces onward hospital referrals. This may facilitate early diagnosis and management of suspected HF in the current era of long outpatient waiting times. The quality of community HF assessment improved as indicated by increased use of NP/TTE by GPs.
Tithonian mafic intrusions in north-central Newfoundland: link to Atlantic rifting?
Authors: Peace Alexander L. , Sandeman Hamish A.I. , Welford J. Kim , Dunning Gregory R. , Camacho Alfredo
Published: September 2023

The small volume, Mesozoic alkali gabbro intrusions of the Budgell Harbour and Dildo Pond stocks and associated alkaline lamprophyre dykes in Notre Dame Bay in Newfoundland are an example of onshore magmatism that may be associated with North Atlantic Ocean opening. Chemical abrasion isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry U–Pb dating of zircon from Budgell Harbour Stock drill core samples yielded a weighted average 206Pb/238U age of 147.9 ± 0.5 Ma (95% confidence interval, mean square weighted deviation = 0.10). Five 40Ar/39Ar laser step-heating, single phlogopite grain analyses from the Budgell Harbour and Dildo Pond stocks, plus a lamprophyre dyke, yielded ages ranging from 146.3 ± 0.2 to 149.5 ± 0.5 Ma. The data demonstrate a ca. 148 Ma (Jurassic and Tithonian) alkaline magmatic event in Newfoundland, contemporaneous with rifting and offshore basin formation. These new age data and published determinations from magmatic rocks on conjugate margins and adjacent regions reveal long-lived episodic magmatism in the embryonic North Atlantic rift environment. We propose a new model whereby magmatism occurred in Notre Dame Bay at the convergence of older crustal-scale faults and localized Moho depth variations that may have triggered lithospheric mantle melting through isothermal, distal, and edge-driven upwelling related to regional extension.
Community Forests advance local wildfire governance and proactive management in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Dickson-Hoyle Sarah , Copes-Gerbitz Kelsey , Hagerman Shannon M. , Daniels Lori D.
Published: September 2023

As wildfires are increasingly causing negative impacts to communities and their livelihoods, many communities are demanding more proactive and locally driven approaches to address wildfire risk. This marks a shift away from centralized governance models where decision-making is concentrated in government agencies that prioritize reactive wildfire suppression. In British Columbia (BC), Canada, Community Forests—a long-term, area-based tenure granted to Indigenous and/or local communities—are emerging as local leaders facilitating proactive wildfire management. To explore the factors that are enabling local governance approaches to managing wildfire risk, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 Community Forest managers across BC. Managers highlighted financial and social capacity, especially trust and relationships with both community members and government agencies, as crucial factors influencing their ability to undertake proactive management. These factors enable Community Forests to address wildfire risk not only within their own tenure area, but also at household, community, and landscape scales, while balancing diverse community values, objectives for forest management, and legal and policy obligations. Despite ongoing challenges, Community Forests emphasized the importance of scaling up their efforts to address wildfire risk and are a critical form of local wildfire governance that can help advance proactive wildfire management across BC.
Nested warped geometry in a non-flat braneworld scenario
Authors: Bhaumik Arko , SenGupta Soumitra
Published: September 2023

We generalize nested multiply warped braneworld models by incorporating non-zero brane curvature caused by an effective cosmological constant $$\Omega $$
Ω
induced on the 3-branes. Starting with the doubly warped model, we first analyze the case where the maximally warped brane is identified as the visible brane. For $$\Omega <0$$

Ω
<
0

, resolution of the gauge hierarchy problem imposes a small upper bound on $$|\Omega |$$

|
Ω
|

, and can possibly lead to positivity of all the 3-brane tensions. For $$\Omega >0$$

Ω
>
0

, the latter is not possible but the tuning of the cosmological constant to its tiny observed value is linked to the tuning of the extra dimensional moduli close to the inverse Planck length, justifying the original flat brane approximation. In both regimes, we study the dependence of the scale-clustering of the pair of TeV-branes on the brane cosmological constant and hence its potential role in generating a fermion mass hierarchy between these branes. Identifying the near-maximally warped brane as the visible brane instead opens up regions in the parameter space that allow positive 3-brane tensions for both anti de Sitter and de Sitter branes, subject to non-trivial constraints on the warping parameters. We conclude by generalizing the key results to arbitrary n-fold nested warped braneworlds.
Scaling dimension of Cooper pair operator from the black hole interior
Authors: Choun Yoon-Seok , Sin Sang-Jin
Published: September 2023

We have shown that in holographic superconductivity theory for 3+1 dimensional system, the scaling dimension of Cooper pair operator can be obtained as a quantized value if we request that the the scalar function describing the order parameter is finite inside the black hole as well as outside. This should be contrasted to the usual situation where we set the mass squared of the scalar by hand. Our method can be applied to any order parameters.
Rational extensions of the Dunkl oscillator in the plane and exceptional orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Quesne C.
Published: September 2023

It is shown that rational extensions of the isotropic Dunkl oscillator in the plane can be obtained by adding some terms either to the radial equation or to the angular one obtained in the polar coordinates approach. In the former case, the isotropic harmonic oscillator is replaced by an isotropic anharmonic one, whose wave functions are expressed in terms of [Formula: see text]-Laguerre exceptional orthogonal polynomials. In the latter, it becomes an anisotropic potential, whose explicit form has been found in the simplest case associated with [Formula: see text]-Jacobi exceptional orthogonal polynomials.
Construction of Practical Teaching Mode of Law Course Based on Multi-Mode and Low-Resource Language Learning
Authors: Han Jing
Published: September 2023

China's legal profession is a new profession emerging in the process of China's rule of law. Its development and refinement are increasing in accordance with the rapid social, economic and political development. However, as a lawyer, people need to learn real kung fu. For complex and changeable legal practice problems, people should use the simplest and most effective way to solve them. Therefore, it is necessary to study the curriculum of law specialty to achieve its purpose. It is also necessary to reform the traditional education methods, introduce modern scientific and technological means, and improve their effectiveness, so as to construct a practical teaching mode of Professional Courses in Law (PCL). For practical legal courses, it can be conducted through multi-mode low-resource language learning method. This paper aimed to study how to study the ability of students to obtain information, process information and analyze and process information based on intelligent multi-image feature fusion. Based on the investigation of teaching objectives and teachers' teaching requirements, and the analysis and arrangement of the investigation results, a multi-task learning system model based on image intelligent features was established. In this experiment, 494 valid questionnaires were used to analyze the current situation of PCL practical teaching. Among them, 10.32% and 65.59% of the students were very satisfied with the results of PCL practical teaching, and 18.02% and 59.31% of the students liked PCL practical teaching very much. In the survey on the influencing factors of PCL practical teaching activities, 61.34% of the students thought that the students did not know enough and were not enthusiastic enough. On the whole, the students are satisfied with the practical teaching arrangement of PCL, but from the actual situation, the effect of practical teaching is not very good, and the expected goal has not been achieved.
Minimum+1 (
s, t
)-cuts and Dual-edge Sensitivity Oracle
Authors: Baswana Surender , Bhanja Koustav , Pandey Abhyuday
Published: September 2023

Let
G
be a directed multi-graph on
n
vertices and
m
edges with a designated source vertex
s
and a designated sink vertex
t
. We study the (
s,t
)-cuts of capacity minimum+1 and as an important application of them, we give a solution to the dual-edge sensitivity for (
s,t
)-mincuts—reporting an (
s,t
)-mincut upon failure or insertion of any pair of edges.

Picard and Queyranne [Mathematical Programming Studies, 13(1): 8–16 (1980)] showed that there exists a directed acyclic graph (DAG) that compactly stores all minimum (
s,t
)-cuts of
G
. This structure also acts as an oracle for the single-edge sensitivity of minimum (
s,t
)-cut. For undirected multi-graphs, Dinitz and Nutov [STOC, 509–518 (1995)] showed that there exists an 𝒪(
n
) size 2-level Cactus model that stores all global cuts of capacity minimum+1. However, for minimum+1 (
s,t
)-cuts, no such compact structure exists till date. We present the following structural and algorithmic results on minimum+1 (
s,t
)-cuts.

(1)

Structure:
There is an 𝒪(
m
) size 2-level DAG structure that stores all minimum+1
(s,t)
-cuts of
G
such that each minimum+1 (
s,t
)-cut appears as 3-transversal cut—it intersects any path in this structure at most thrice. We also show that there is an 𝒪(
mn
) size structure for storing and characterizing all minimum+1
(s,t)
-cuts in terms of 1-transversal cuts.

(2)

Data structure:
There exists an 𝒪(

n
2

) size data structure that, given a pair of vertices {u,v} that are not separated by an (
s,t
)-mincut, can determine in 𝒪(1) time if there exists a minimum+1 (
s,t
)-cut, say (
A,B
), such that
s,u ∊ A
and
v,t∊ B
; the corresponding cut can be reported in 𝒪(|
B
|) time.

(3)

Sensitivity oracle:
There exists an 𝒪(
n
2
) size data structure that solves the dual-edge sensitivity problem for
(s,t)
-mincuts. It takes 𝒪(1) time to report the capacity of a resulting
(s,t)
-mincut
(A,B)
and 𝒪(|
B
|) time to report the cut.

(4)

Lower bounds:
For the data structure problems addressed in results (2) and (3) above, we also provide a matching conditional lower bound. We establish a close relationship among three seemingly unrelated problems—all-pairs directed reachability problem, the dual-edge sensitivity problem for (
s,t
)-mincuts, and the problem of reporting the capacity of ({
x,y
}, {
u,v
})-mincut for any four vertices
x,y,u,v
in
G
. Assuming the Directed Reachability Hypothesis by Patrascu [SIAM J. Computing, 827–847 (2011)] and Goldstein et al. [WADS, 421–436 (2017)], this leads to

\(\tilde{\Omega }(n^2)\)

lower bounds on the space for the latter two problems.
Stacking of BERT and CNN Models for Arabic Word Sense Disambiguation
Authors: Saidi Rakia , Jarray Fethi
Published: September 2023

We propose a new approach for Arabic Word Sense Disambiguation (AWSD) by hybridization of single-layer Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with contextual representation (BERT). WSD is the task of automatically detecting the correct meaning of a word used in a given context. WSD can be performed as a classification task, and the context is generally a short sentence. Kim [
26
] proved that combining a CNN with an RNN (recurrent neural network) provides a good result for text classification. Here, we use a concatenation of BERT models as a word embedding to get simultaneously the target and context representation. Our approach improves the performance of WSD in Arabic languages. The experimental results show that our model outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches and improves the accuracy of 96.42% on the Arabic WordNet dataset.
Reg-Tune: A Regression-Focused Fine-Tuning Approach for Profiling Low Energy Consumption and Latency
Authors: Mazumder Arnab Neelim , Safavi Farshad , Rahnemoonfar Maryam , Mohsenin Tinoosh
Published: September 2023

Fine-tuning deep neural networks is pivotal for creating inference modules that can be suitably imported to edge or field-programmable gate array (FPGA) platforms. Traditionally, exploration of different parameters throughout the layers of deep neural networks has been done using grid search and other brute force techniques. Although these methods lead to the optimal choice of network parameters, the search process can be very time consuming and may not consider deployment constraints across different target platforms. This work addresses this problem by proposing Reg-Tune, a regression-based profiling approach to quickly determine the trend of different metrics in relation to hardware deployment of neural networks on tinyML platforms like FPGAs and edge devices. We start by training a handful of configurations belonging to different combinations of

\(\mathcal {NN}\scriptstyle \langle q (quantization),\,s (scaling)\rangle \displaystyle\)

or

\(\mathcal {NN}\scriptstyle \langle r (resolution),\,s\rangle \displaystyle\)

workloads to generate the accuracy values respectively for their corresponding application. Next, we deploy these configurations on the target device to generate energy/latency values. According to our hypothesis, the most energy-efficient configuration suitable for deployment on the target device is a function of the variables
q
,
r
, and
s
. Finally, these trained and deployed configurations and their related results are used as data points for polynomial regression with the variables
q
,
r
, and
s
to realize the trend for accuracy/energy/latency on the target device. Our setup allows us to choose the near-optimal energy-consuming or latency-driven configuration for the desired accuracy from the contour profiles of energy/latency across different tinyML device platforms. To this extent, we demonstrate the profiling process for three different case studies and across two platforms for energy and latency fine-tuning. Our approach results in at least 5.7

\(\times\)

better energy efficiency when compared to recent implementations for human activity recognition on FPGA and 74.6% reduction in latency for semantic segmentation of aerial imagery on edge devices compared to baseline deployments.
Blinder: End-to-end Privacy Protection in Sensing Systems via Personalized Federated Learning
Authors: Yang Xin , Ardakanian Omid
Published: September 2023

This article proposes a sensor data anonymization model that is trained on decentralized data and strikes a desirable trade-off between data utility and privacy, even in heterogeneous settings where the sensor data have different underlying distributions. Our anonymization model, dubbed Blinder, is based on a variational autoencoder and one or multiple discriminator networks trained in an adversarial fashion. We use the model-agnostic meta-learning framework to adapt the anonymization model trained via federated learning to each user’s data distribution. We evaluate Blinder under different settings and show that it provides end-to-end privacy protection on two IMU datasets at the cost of increasing privacy loss by up to 4.00% and decreasing data utility by up to 4.24%, compared to the state-of-the-art anonymization model trained on centralized data. We also showcase Blinder’s ability to anonymize the radio frequency sensing modality. Our experiments confirm that Blinder can obscure multiple private attributes at once, and has sufficiently low power consumption and computational overhead for it to be deployed on edge devices and smartphones to perform real-time anonymization of sensor data.
Using the Fossil Record to Understand Extinction Risk and Inform Marine Conservation in a Changing World
Authors: Finnegan Seth , Harnik Paul G. , Lockwood Rowan , Lotze Heike K. , McClenachan Loren , Kahanamoku Sara S.
Published: September 2023

Understanding the long-term effects of ongoing global environmental change on marine ecosystems requires a cross-disciplinary approach. Deep-time and recent fossil records can contribute by identifying traits and environmental conditions associated with elevated extinction risk during analogous events in the geologic past and by providing baseline data that can be used to assess historical change and set management and restoration targets and benchmarks. Here, we review the ecological and environmental information available in the marine fossil record and discuss how these archives can be used to inform current extinction risk assessments as well as marine conservation strategies and decision-making at global to local scales. As we consider future research directions in deep-time and conservationpaleobiology, we emphasize the need for coproduced research that unites researchers, conservation practitioners, and policymakers with the communities for whom the impacts of climate and global change are most imminent.
G Protein–Coupled Receptor Signaling: New Insights Define Cellular Nanodomains
Authors: Lohse Martin J. , Bock Andreas , Zaccolo Manuela
Published: September 2023

G protein–coupled receptors are the largest and pharmacologically most important receptor family and are involved in the regulation of most cell functions. Most of them reside exclusively at the cell surface, from where they signal via heterotrimeric G proteins to control the production of second messengers such as cAMP and IP3 as well as the activity of several ion channels. However, they may also internalize upon agonist stimulation or constitutively reside in various intracellular locations. Recent evidence indicates that their function differs depending on their precise cellular localization. This is because the signals they produce, notably cAMP and Ca2+, are mostly bound to cell proteins that significantly reduce their mobility, allowing the generation of steep concentration gradients. As a result, signals generated by the receptors remain confined to nanometer-sized domains. We propose that such nanometer-sized domains represent the basic signaling units in a cell and a new type of target for drug development.
Central sleep apnea treated by a constant low-dose CO2 supplied by a novel device
Authors: Luo Yuan-Ming , Chen Yong-Yi , Liang Shan-Feng , Wu Lu-Guang , Wellman Andrew , McEvoy R. Doug , Steier Joerg , Eckert Danny J. , Polkey Michael I.
Published: September 2023

A novel device using a special mask was developed and proved that CO2 therapy using the device could eliminate central sleep apnea (CSA) events and improve sleep quality including reducing arousal index in patients with heart failure. The device would become a useful clinical treatment for heart failure patients with CSA.
Ultrastructural characterization of alveolar microvascular damage in severe COVID-19 respiratory failure
Authors: Negri Elnara Marcia , Benchimol Marlene , Mauad Thais , Duarte-Neto Amaro Nunes , Gottardi Maiara , da Silva Luiz Fernando Ferraz , Saldiva Paulo Hilario Nascimento , Dolhnikoff Marisa , Souza Wanderley de , Garcia Caldini Elia
Published: September 2023

In this study, electron microscopy was used to explain the pathophysiology of respiratory failure in severe COVID-19. Before the advent of vaccination, as the virus entered the respiratory system, it rapidly progressed to the alveolar capillary network and, before causing exudative alveolar edema, it caused mainly thrombosis of the pulmonary microcirculation with preserved lung compliance explaining “happy hypoxia.” Timing of anticoagulation is of pivotal importance in this disease.
Effects of sex and menstrual cycle phase on celiac artery blood flow during dynamic moderate-intensity leg exercise in young individuals
Authors: Shiozawa Kana , Saito Mitsuru , Lee Jordan B. , Kashima Hideaki , Endo Masako Yamaoka , Ishida Koji , Millar Philip J. , Katayama Keisho
Published: September 2023

During dynamic exercise, splanchnic organ blood flow is reduced from resting values. Whether sex and menstrual cycle phase influence splanchnic blood flow responses during exercise remains unknown. We show that the decrease in celiac artery blood flow during dynamic leg exercise does not differ between young females and males or between menstrual cycle phases. In young individuals, sex and menstrual cycle have minimal influence on splanchnic artery hemodynamic responses during dynamic moderate-intensity leg exercise.
Heating the skin on the foot sole enhances cutaneous reflexes in the lower limb
Authors: Howe Erika E. , Sharma Tushar , Marrelli Laura C. , Nwebube Chioma , Bent Leah R.
Published: September 2023

Cutaneous input is a known modulator of muscle activity. Targeting skin to intentionally enhance motor output has received little attention. We explored local skin heating to enhance skin sensitivity and found a significant increase in the amplitude, coherence, and gain of cutaneous reflexes in the tibialis anterior. Our current findings provide the first support for the use of heat as a viable and easily integrated modality in rehabilitation technology to improve balance and postural control.
Numerical Study of High Spectral Efficiency and High-Temperature Energy Harvesting Metamaterial Emitter to Improve Thermophotovoltaic Performance
Authors: Tamiru Sifan , Tolessa Fekadu , Alemu Birke , Tiruneh Solomon , Belay Abebe , Alemu Gurmu , Gurumurthi T.
Published: September 2023

Design work was done on a broadband and wide-angle selective pyramid metamaterial emitter. COMSOL Multiphysics software was used to study the emitter, which was made of tungsten and aluminum nitride. The width of the unit cell and the tungsten ground thickness were fixed while other geometric parameters, such as the base length of the pyramid, the height of the pyramid, and the thickness of the dielectric, were tuned to produce the emitter’s desired broadband emission. A high average emissivity over 0.96 below the cutoff wavelength (0.1 μm-2.2 μm) was seen in the numerical simulation. The developed metamaterial emitter also had good emissivity across a broad range of incidence angles, from 0° to 60°, and was polarization independent. In addition, the planned emitter for the InGaAs cell has a better spectral efficiency than the blackbody other designed emitter. In general, the planned selective nanopyramid emitter was realized with 75% spectrum efficiency for InGaAs band gap energy (0.55 eV) at 1200 K, which was greater than blackbody and prior papers.
Lift Augmentation on a Tiltrotor Wing Using the Combination of Vortex Generators and Gurney’s Flap
Authors: Chen Hao , Du Siliang , Chen Zhong
Published: September 2023

Recently, flow control using vortex generators (VGs) and a Gurney flap (GF) has received considerable attention, but independently. The purpose of this study is to perform a numerical investigation into the lift augmentation effects of a tiltrotor wing with the combination of VGs and GF. The numerical results were obtained with the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, and the turbulence was solved by the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation turbulence model. The separate and joint performances of these two control devices at different angles of attack are determined. It is shown that the combined configuration can provide greater lift augmentation than either device individually. Compared with the baseline wing, the implementation of both devices increases the stall angle of attack from 10° to 22°, and the maximum lift coefficient is improved by 82.33%.
The Approximation of Generalized Log-Aesthetic Curves with

G

2

Cubic Trigonometric Bézier Function
Authors: Albayari Diya’ J. , Gobithaasan R. U. , Miura Kenjiro T.
Published: September 2023

One of the requirements of curves in computer-aided design (CAD) is a curve with monotonic curvature profiles. Generalized log-aesthetic curves (GLACs) comprise a family of aesthetic curves which possesses a monotonic curvature profile. However, we cannot directly implement GLAC in CAD systems since it is in the form of a transcendental form. In this paper, we used cubic trigonometric Bézier (T-Bézier) curves with two shape parameters to approximate GLAC with G2 continuity. The final approximation formula inherits the shape parameters of GLAC whereas T-Béziers’ shape parameters are utilized to satisfy G2 constraints. Numerical results indicate that the proposed algorithm is capable of approximating GLAC within the given tolerance in (at least) two iterations.
Hydraulic Fracturing Breakdown Pressure and Prediction of Maximum Horizontal In Situ Stress
Authors: Lakirouhani Ali , Jolfaei Somaie
Published: September 2023

Using the presented criteria for the breakdown pressure in which the breakdown pressure is related to the horizontal stress, the breakdown pressure in the hydraulic fracturing test is directly used in the estimation of the maximum horizontal in situ stress. However, the classical breakdown pressure criteria do not take into account the effects of near-wellbore stress field, so estimating the horizontal stress using them is accompanied by errors. A plane strain numerical model is presented to obtain the breakdown pressure, in which the effect of initial crack length are considered. In this model, it is assumed that the rock medium is impermeable and the breakdown occurs at the tip of two radially cracks. Thus, in this model, the effect of the initial crack length, which is not present in the classical models, is considered. The results obtained from the numerical model show the significant effect of the initial crack length on the breakdown pressure. Also, the comparison of the numerical model with the classical criteria shows that the condition of using the classical criteria to determine the breakdown pressure is that the ratio of the initial crack length to the borehole radius is very small. Using the numerical model, 1,456 datasets were prepared to train an artificial neural network to predict the maximum horizontal stress. Input parameters include breakdown pressure, minimum horizontal stress, initial crack length, and tensile strength. The evaluation of the results shows that the obtained neural network model has a good ability to predict the maximum horizontal stress.
Spatial Variations in Aquatic Insect Community Structure in the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya
Authors: Misiko Monicah Florence , Bere Taurai , Andika Darius O. , Okoth Patrick , Onyango Benson
Published: September 2023

Background. Aquatic insect community structure is dynamic due to threats by anthropogenic activities coupled with changing climatic conditions. The insect’s survival is dependent on the substrate, water quality, and environmental effects. The changes in water quality influence their distribution and abundance and are reflected in spatial and temporal trends. This study sought to document the effects of spatial variation on aquatic insects in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Materials and Methods. Systematic random design was used in sampling, and water quality parameters were assessed. Insects were sampled by profundal lake procedure, pooled, sorted, and identified based on the morphological approach and diversity indices analyzed. The relationship between insects and water quality was established. Results. Statistical homogeneity in water quality parameters was documented with the exception of nitrates, nitrites, soluble reactive phosphorus, ammonium, and silicates, which displayed significant variation at

p
<
0.05

. A total of 383 individual insects representing 19 species, 19 genera, 16 families, and six orders were obtained from Winam Gulf. Hemiptera, Ephemeroptera, and Diptera were the most predominant orders, respectively. Chironomus spp. and Ablebesmyia spp. were representatives of the Chironomidae family. Species distribution and water quality were determined using cluster analysis (CA) and conical correspondence analysis (CCA). Conclusion. The findings of this study demonstrated that spatial variations were associated with change in water quality and had a corresponding influence on insect community structure.
Targeting the RNA-Binding Protein HuR in Cancer
Authors: Finan Jennifer M. , Sutton Thomas L. , Dixon Dan A. , Brody Jonathan R.
Published: September 2023

The RNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) is a well-established regulator of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Its dysregulation has been implicated in various human diseases, particularly cancer. In cancer, HuR is considered “active” when it shows increased subcellular localization in the cytoplasm, in addition to its normal nuclear localization. Cytoplasmic HuR plays a crucial role in stabilizing and enhancing the translation of prosurvival mRNAs that are involved in stress responses relevant to cancer progression, such as hypoxia, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In general, due to HuR's abundance and function in cancer cells compared with normal cells, it is an appealing target for oncology research. Exploiting the principles underlying HuR's role in tumorigenesis and resistance to stressors, targeting HuR has the potential for synergy with existing and novel oncologic therapies. This review aims to explore HuR's role in homeostasis and cancer pathophysiology, as well as current targeting strategies, which include silencing HuR expression, preventing its translocation and dimerization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and inhibiting mRNA binding. Furthermore, this review will discuss recent studies investigating the potential synergy between HuR inhibition and traditional chemotherapeutics.