bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moving the Needle in Entrepreneurship Education and Bridging the Gaps
Authors: Högsdal Nils , Nardiello June , Kleeßen Piet
Published: May 2023

Several German states have implemented programs and funding to promote entrepreneurship education and culture within their universities. These programs and projects are typically awarded on a competitive basis to several colleges and universities in order to raise awareness and enthusiasm among students and to provide skills in the context of innovation and entrepreneurship. This chapter reflects upon the impacts of two of these projects on students’ motivations to start their own businesses, as well as which ideas they pursue. In the first project, several thousand students were exposed to entrepreneurship early in their studies. The other is a related program that—at a later stage—has helped more than 600 teams of student entrepreneurs to further validate their ideas. Findings from both studies are interpreted in the context of funnel logic to derive recommendations for overcoming the gaps and breaking points in students’ entrepreneurial journeys.
Asymmetries in extended dark sectors: a cogenesis scenario
Authors: Herrero-García Juan , Landini Giacomo , Vatsyayan Drona
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The observed dark matter relic abundance may be explained by different mechanisms, such as thermal freeze-out/freeze-in, with one or more symmetric/asymmetric components. In this work we investigate the role played by asymmetries in determining the yield and nature of dark matter in non-minimal scenarios with more than one dark matter particle. In particular, we show that the energy density of a particle may come from an asymmetry, even if the particle is asymptotically symmetric by nature. To illustrate the different effects of asymmetries, we adopt a model with two dark matter components. We embed it in a multi-component cogenesis scenario that is also able to reproduce neutrino masses and the baryon asymmetry. In some cases, the model predicts an interesting monochromatic neutrino line that may be searched for at neutrino telescopes.
New phases of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM at finite chemical potential
Authors: Dias Óscar J. C. , Mitra Prahar , Santos Jorge E.
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We do a systematic search of supergravity solutions that, via the AdS5/CFT4correspondence, are dual to thermal states in$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 4 SYM at finite chemical potential. These solutions dominate the microcanonical ensemble and are required to ultimately reproduce the microscopic entropy of AdS black holes. Using a mix of analytical and numerical methods, we construct and study static charged hairy solitonic and black hole solutions with global AdS5asymptotics. They are constructed in two distinct consistent truncations of five dimensional gauged supergravity (and can thus be uplifted to asymptotically AdS5×S5solutions of type IIB supergravity). In the “single charge” truncation which consists of one charged scalar field, hairy black holes exist above a critical charge and merge with the known Behrndt-Cvetič-Sabra (BCS) black holes along a curve determined by the onset of superradiance in the latter family. The lowest mass hairy black hole is a singular zero entropy soliton. In the “two charge” truncation which consists of a two equal charged scalar fields, hairy black holes exist for all charges and merge with the known BCS black holes along their superradiant onset curve. The lowest mass hairy black hole is a smooth supersymmetric zero entropy soliton. Together with the known phases of the truncation with three equal charges, our findings permit a good understanding of the full phase space of SYM thermal states with three arbitrary chemical potentials.
Excitations of Ising strings on a lattice
Authors: Athenodorou Andreas , Dubovsky Sergei , Luo Conghuan , Teper Michael
Published: May 2023

Abstract

The 3d Ising model in the low temperature (ferromagnetic) phase describes dynamics of two-dimensional surfaces — domain walls between clusters of parallel spins. The Kramers-Wannier duality maps these surfaces into worldsheets of confining strings in the Wegner’s ℤ2 gauge theory. We study the excitation spectrum of long Ising strings by simulating the ℤ2 gauge theory on a lattice. We observe a strong mixing between string excitations and the lightest glueball state and do not find indications for light massive resonances on the string worldsheet.
Constrained metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty: ever heard of a 50-year survival story?
Authors: Jasina Andrzej , Enz Andreas , Knoop Annalena , Jones Gareth , Ellenrieder Martin , Mittelmeier Wolfram , Lutter Christoph
Published: May 2023

Background

The history of total hip arthroplasty dates back to the first half of the twentieth century. Data on hip endoprostheses implanted during the 1960s and 1970s suggest widely varying survival rates of the prosthesis.

Case

A case of a patient who underwent total hip arthroplasty in 1972 using a Sivash prosthesis, developed in 1956 in the former Soviet Union, is presented in this article. The prosthesis has remained unrevised in the patient’s body for 50 years and he continues to be widely free of implant-related symptoms. Despite the constrained metal-on-metal design of the implant, which can lead to adverse reactions to metal debris, no elevated systemic metal ion levels were detected.

Conclusion

The likelihood of encountering patients with prosthesis survival beyond 50 years is still rare. Nevertheless, changing demographics and the steadily improving designs and materials of hip endoprostheses may likely result in such cases.
Ranks, copulas, and permutons
Authors: Grübel R.
Published: May 2023

We review a recent development at the interface between discrete mathematics on one hand and probability theory and statistics on the other, specifically the use of Markov chains and their boundary theory in connection with the asymptotics of randomly growing permutations. Permutations connect total orders on a finite set, which leads to the use of a pattern frequencies. This view is closely related to classical concepts of nonparametric statistics. We give several applications and discuss related topics and research areas, in particular the treatment of other combinatorial families, the cycle view of permutations, and an approach via exchangeability.
Older adults with slow sit to stand times show reduced temporal precision of audio–visual integration
Authors: O’Dowd A. , Hirst R. J. , Setti A. , Kenny R. A. , Newell F. N.
Published: May 2023

Sustained integration of sensory inputs over increased temporal delays is associated with reduced cognitive and physical functioning in older adults and adverse outcomes such as falls. Here, we explored the relationship between multisensory integration and a clinically relevant measure of balance/postural control; Sit-to-Stand Time, the efficiency with which an older adult can transition between a seated and a standing posture. We investigated whether temporal multisensory integration was associated with performance on the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) in a large sample of 2556 older adults (mean age = 63.62 years, SD = 7.50; 55% female) drawn from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). K-means clustering was applied to FTSST data, yielding three clusters characterised by fast (mean = 10.88 s; n = 1122), medium (mean = 14.34 s; n = 1133) and slow (mean = 18.97 s; n = 301) sit-to-stand times. At wave 3 of TILDA, older adults participated in the Sound Induced Flash Illusion (SIFI), a measure of the precision of temporal audio–visual integration, which included three audio–visual stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs): 70, 150 and 230 ms. Older adults with the slowest sit-to-stand times were more susceptible to the SIFI at the longest SOA (230 ms) compared to the shortest SOA (70 ms) relative to those with the fastest times (p = 0.02). Older adults who take longer to repeatedly transition from a seated to a standing posture exhibit an expanded temporal binding window for audio–visual events, supporting a link between multisensory perception and balance/postural control in ageing.
On the possibility of the existence of orienting hydrodynamic steering effects in the kinetics of receptor–ligand association
Authors: Antosiewicz Jan M.
Published: May 2023

In the vast majority of biologically relevant cases of receptor-ligand complex formation, the binding site of the receptor is a small part of its surface, and moreover, formation of a biologically active complex often requires a specific orientation of the ligand relative to the binding site. Before the formation of the initial form of the complex, only long-range, electrostatic and hydrodynamic interactions can act between the ligand approaching the binding site and the receptor. In this context, the question arises whether as a result of these interactions, there is a pre-orientation of the ligand towards the binding site, which to some extent would accelerate the formation of the complex. The role of electrostatic interactions in the orientation of the ligand relative to the binding site of the receptor is well documented. The analogous role of hydrodynamic interactions, although assessed as very significant by Brune and Kim (PNAS 91, 2930–2934, (1994)), is still debatable. In this article, I present the current state of knowledge on this subject and consider the possibilities of demonstrating the orienting effect of hydrodynamic interactions in the processes of receptor–ligand association, in an experimental way supported by computer simulations.
Occipital artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery bypass: a cadaveric feasibility study
Authors: Yuan Yong , Wang Xiaolong , Han Li , Tuo Yuanzhao , Wu Bomeng , Ding Xinmin
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To demonstrate that occipital artery (OA)-p1 posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) bypass can be an alternative for complex posterior circulation aneurysms.

Methods

A far-lateral approach to craniotomy was performed on 20 cadaveric specimens, and the OA was obtained 'in-line.' Its length, diameter, and the number of p1/p2 and p3 segmental perforators were determined, and the relationship between the caudal loop and cerebellar tonsil position was also assessed. The distance between the PICA’s origin and the cranial nerve XI (CN XI), the buffer length above the CN XI after dissection, the OA length required to complete the OA-p1/p3 PICA bypass, and the p1 and p3 segment diameters were all measured. A bypass training practical scale (TSIO) was used to evaluate the quality of the anastomosis.

Results

All specimens underwent OA-p1 PICA end-to-end bypass and had favorable results for the TSIO score, 15 sides underwent OA-p3 PICA end-to-side bypass, and the other bypass protocols were less common. The buffer length above the CN XI after dissection, the distance between the PICA’s origin and the CN XI, and the first perforator were all of sufficient length. The direct length of the OA needed to complete the OA-p1 PICA end-to-end bypass was significantly less than the available length and the OA-p3 PICA end-to-side bypass, with the OA matching the p1 segment diameter. The number of p1 perforators was less than that of p3, and the OA diameter was equal to that of the p1 segment.

Conclusion

OA-p1 PICA end-to-end bypass is a feasible alternative in cases in which p3 segment has high caudal loops or anatomic anomalies.
Current treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a clinician's perspective
Authors: Katarzyna Pawlak-Buś , Wiktor Schmidt , Ewa Dudziec , Piotr Leszczyński
Published: May 2023

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. Its variable course makes it difficult to standardize patient treatment. This article aims at a literature review on available drugs for treating SLE and on drugs that have shown therapeutic effects in this disease. The PubMed/MEDLINE electronic search engine was used to identify relevant studies. This review presents the current therapeutic options, new biological therapies, and combination therapies of biologics with standard immunosuppressive and immunomodulating drugs. We have also underlined the importance to implement the treat-to-target strategy aimed at reducing or discontinuing therapy with glucocorticosteroids (GCs). The awareness of the benefits and risks of using GCs helps in refining their dosage and thereby obtaining a better safety profile. The advent of biological targeted therapies, and more recently, low-molecular-weight compounds such as kinase inhibitors, initiated numerous clinical trials in SLE patients and led to the approval of two biological drugs, belimumab, and anifrolumab, for SLE treatment. Progress in the treatment of SLE was reflected in the 2019 and 2021 recommendations of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR). However, a mass of recent clinical research data requires continuous consolidation to optimize patient outcomes.
Valid and reliable diagnostic performance of dual-energy CT in anterior cruciate ligament rupture
Authors: Liu Di , Hu Ping , Cai Zi-Jun , Lu Wen-Hao , Pan Lin-Yuan , Liu Xu , Peng Xian-Jing , Li Yu-Sheng , Xiao Wen-Feng
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To determine whether dual-energy CT (DECT) can be used to accurately and reliably detect anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture.

Materials and methods

Participants with unilateral ACL rupture were prospectively enrolled, and the bilateral knees were scanned by DECT. A tissue-specific mapping algorithm was applied to improve the visualization of the ACLs. The 80-keV CT value, mixed-keV CT value, electron density (Rho), and effective atomic number (Zeff) were measured to quantitatively differentiate torn ACLs from normal ACLs. MRI and arthroscopy served as the reference standards.

Results

Fifty-one participants (mean age, 27.0 ± 8.7 years; 31 men) were enrolled. Intact and torn ACLs were explicitly differentiated on color-coded DECT images. The 80-keV CT value, mixed-keV CT value, and Rho were significantly lower for the torn ACLs than for the intact ACLs (p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff values were an 80-keV CT value of 61.8 HU, a mixed-keV CT value of 60.9 HU, and a Rho of 51.8 HU, with AUCs of 98.0% (95% CI: 97.0–98.9%), 99.2% (95% CI: 98.6–99.7%), and 99.8% (95% CI: 99.6–100.0%), respectively. Overall, DECT had almost perfect reliability and validity in detecting ACL integrity (sensitivity = 97.1% [95% CI: 88.1–99.8%]; specificity = 98.0% [95% CI: 89.5–99.9%]; PPV = 98.0% [95% CI: 93.0–99.8%]; NPV = 97.1% [95% CI: 91.7–99.4%]; accuracy = 97.5% [95% CI: 94.3–99.2%]). There was no evidence of a difference between MRI and DECT in the diagnostic performance (p > 0.99).

Conclusion

DECT has excellent diagnostic accuracy and reliability in qualitatively and quantitatively diagnosing ACL rupture.

Clinical relevance statement

DECT could validly and reliably diagnose ACL rupture using both qualitative and quantitative methods, which may become a promising substitute for MRI to evaluate the integrity of injured ACLs and the maturity of postoperative ACL autografts.

Key Points

• On color-coded DECT images, an uncolored ACL was a reliable sign for qualitatively diagnosing ACL rupture.

• The 80-keV CT value, mixed-keV CT value, and Rho were significantly lower for the torn ACLs than for the intact ACLs, which contributed to the quantitative diagnosis of ACL rupture.

• DECT had an almost perfect diagnostic performance for ACL rupture, and diagnostic capability was comparable between MRI and DECT.
Comparative analysis of toxicity in patients with anal cancer undergoing definitive simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) or sequential integrated boost (SeqB) radiotherapy
Authors: Rotondi Margherita , Facondo Giuseppe , Mossa Stefano , Vullo Gianluca , Angelicone Ilaria , Valeriani Maurizio , Osti Mattia Falchetto
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To compare toxicity of radiotherapy (RT) with concomitant chemotherapy (CHT) in patients (pts) with anal cancer treated with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) versus sequential boost (SeqB).

Methods

Sixty-six patients were treated from 2007 to 2021. Thirty patients underwent to SeqB concurrent to CHT and 37 to SIB-group. Toxicity assessment has been considered in acute and in late toxicities for gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU), cutaneous (CU) districts, according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Version 5.0. The Wexner scale among summary scoring systems has been used as a tool to measure fecal incontinence. The chi-square test for ordinal variables were used to evaluate the association between patient and treatment characteristics and acute or late severe toxicity. Univariable logistic regression models were fit to evaluate predictive factors associated with fecal incontinence.

Results

Median follow-up was 61.5 months (IQR, 27.1–121.7 months) for all patients. Severe acute toxicity (≥ G2) was observed in 49 patients (74.2%). Late toxicity (≥ G2) occurred in 13 cases (19.6%). In assessment of cutaneous toxicity, there was also a significant reduction in ≥ G1 in SIB group with 29 patients (80.5%) vs SeqB group with 29 patients (96.6%) (p-value = 0.046). Of both groups 11 patients (16.6%) developed fecal incontinence, 8 (22%) in the SIB group and 3 (10%) in the SeqB.

Conclusion

SIB for anal cancer treatment results in reduced acute and late cutaneous toxicity compared to SeqB. According to our results the rate of other acute and late toxicities are low and comparable between the two groups.
Insights into human kidney function from the study of Drosophila
Authors: Koehler Sybille , Huber Tobias B.
Published: May 2023

Biological and biomedical research using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism has gained recognition through several Nobel prizes within the last 100 years. Drosophila exhibits several advantages when compared to other in vivo models such as mice and rats, as its life cycle is very short, animal maintenance is easy and inexpensive and a huge variety of transgenic strains and tools are publicly available. Moreover, more than 70% of human disease-causing genes are highly conserved in the fruit fly. Here, we explain the use of Drosophila in nephrology research and describe two kidney tissues, Malpighian tubules and the nephrocytes. The latter are the homologous cells to mammalian glomerular podocytes and helped to provide insights into a variety of signaling pathways due to the high morphological similarities and the conserved molecular make-up between nephrocytes and podocytes. In recent years, nephrocytes have also been used to study inter-organ communication as links between nephrocytes and the heart, the immune system and the muscles have been described. In addition, other tissues such as the eye and the reproductive system can be used to study the functional role of proteins being part of the kidney filtration barrier.
Meowing dogs: can dogs recognize cats in a cross-modal violation of expectancy task (Canis familiaris)?
Authors: Lõoke Miina , Guérineau Cécile , Broseghini Anna , Marinelli Lieta , Mongillo Paolo
Published: May 2023

Dogs can recognize conspecifics in cross-modal audio–video presentations. In this paper, we aimed at exploring if such capability extends to the recognition of cats, and whether it is influenced by exposure to these animals. To reach our aim, we enrolled 64 pet dogs. Half of the dogs were currently living with cats, while the rest had never been living with cats, nor were at the time of the experiment. All dogs underwent a cross-modal violation of expectancy experiment, where they were presented with either a cat or a dog vocalization, followed by a video of either species on a blank background. The result revealed that dogs did not exhibit a surprise reaction towards the incoherent stimuli of a cat vocalization and a dog video or vice-versa, implying that they had not recognized the stimuli portraying cats. The pattern of results did not differ between dogs living or not with cats, implying that exposure to a limited number of cats, however, prolonged, is not sufficient to grant dogs with the ability to recognize them on audio–video presentations. We propose that the lack of recognition could be due to the small number of individual cats the dogs are regularly exposed to, or to the possible lack of early exposure to cats during the socialization phase.
Ramping down a clinical 3 T scanner: a journey into MRI and MRS at 0.75 T
Authors: Guenthner Christian , Peereboom Sophie Marie , Dillinger Hannes , McGrath Charles , Albannay Mohammed Masoud , Vishnevskiy Valery , Fuetterer Max , Luechinger Roger , Jenneskens Theo , Sturzenegger Urs , Overweg Johan , Koken Peter , Börnert Peter , Kozerke Sebastian
Published: May 2023

Object

Lower-field MR is reemerging as a viable, potentially cost-effective alternative to high-field MR, thanks to advances in hardware, sequence design, and reconstruction over the past decades. Evaluation of lower field strengths, however, is limited by the availability of lower-field systems on the market and their considerable procurement costs. In this work, we demonstrate a low-cost, temporary alternative to purchasing a dedicated lower-field MR system.

Materials and Methods

By ramping down an existing clinical 3 T MRI system to 0.75 T, proton signals can be acquired using repurposed 13C transmit/receive hardware and the multi-nuclei spectrometer interface. We describe the ramp-down procedure and necessary software and hardware changes to the system.

Results

Apart from presenting system characterization results, we show in vivo examples of cardiac cine imaging, abdominal two- and three-point Dixon-type water/fat separation, water/fat-separated MR Fingerprinting, and point-resolved spectroscopy. In addition, the ramp-down approach allows unique comparisons of, e.g., gradient fidelity of the same MR system operated at different field strengths using the same receive chain, gradient coils, and amplifiers.

Discussion

Ramping down an existing MR system may be seen as a viable alternative for lower-field MR research in groups that already own multi-nuclei hardware and can also serve as a testing platform for custom-made multi-nuclei transmit/receive coils.
Ultrasound measurement of umbilical venous flow volume at the intra-abdominal portion in normal fetuses
Authors: Ozawa Katsusuke , Kanazawa Seiji , Mikami Masashi , Muromoto Jin , Sugibayashi Rika , Wada Seiji , Sago Haruhiko
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Umbilical venous flow volume (UVFV) measured using ultrasound can be used to assess placental circulation in a fetus. UVFV measured at the intra-abdominal portion using half the maximum flow velocity of the umbilical vein (UV) has good reproducibility with low variance. However, reference values in previous reports were based on a small number of cases with a wide reference range. In the present study, we evaluated UVFV standard values measured at the intra-abdominal portion in normal Japanese fetuses.

Methods

Measurements were performed on normal pregnant women during routine ultrasound screening at around 20 or 30 weeks of gestation. The diameter and flow velocity of the UV were measured at the fetal abdomen point between the insertion of the UV and branches of the portal vein. UVFV (ml/min) was calculated as follows: (UV diameter [cm]/2)2 × maximum velocity [cm/s] × 0.5 × 3.14 × 60).

Results

A total of 278 pregnant women were included in the study. UVFV increased with gestational weeks, and UVFV per estimated fetal weight (EFW) slightly decreased with increasing gestational weeks. The 50th (10th–90th) percentiles of UVFV per EFW at 20, 25, and 30 weeks of gestation were 130 (105–165), 123 (94–147), and 104 (80–131) ml/min/kg, respectively.

Conclusion

New UVFV reference values measured at the intra-abdominal portion of fetuses using large-scale samples were established. Future studies should assess fetuses under pathologic conditions using UVFV reference values.
Heavy infection of the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) with Huffmanela japonica: morphological, ultrastructural identification, tissue reactions and immunological analysis
Authors: Attia Marwa M. , Ibrahim Mustafa M. , Mahmoud Mahmoud A.
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to determine the causative agent of black spots which observed in the mesentery, adipose tissue and peritoneum of orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. The parasitological examination using light and electron microscope confirmed infection with trichosomoidid parasite, genus Huffmanela, which identified as Huffmanela japonica (H. japonica). The examined eggs were present in two stages (stage 1, mature light brown eggs with larva; stage 2, advanced dark brown eggs with grown larva). The histopathological alteration of the infected tissues together with determination of immunological gene expression in different organs demonstrated prominent response of the host tissues against the studied parasite. Pathological examination of the infected fish revealed that the lesions were mainly in the mesenteric and diffuse pancreatic tissues which present in the abdominal fat. Granulomas containing eggs and mononuclear and eosinophilic granular cell infiltrations, together with fat necrosis of the pancreatic tissue, were the most common pathological findings. Migrating larvae and peritoneal adhesions with organised fibrosis were also observed. In the infected tissues as well as in the spleen, liver and kidney, interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 were upregulated than in control non-infected fish. Our results confirmed that H. japonica is infecting orange-spotted grouper caught from the Red Sea in Egypt with prominent tissue specificity in the mesentery, adipose tissue surrounding the intestine, and in the peritoneum.
Differentiating the effects of organic management, pesticide reduction, and landscape diversification for arthropod conservation in viticulture
Authors: Kaczmarek Marvin , Entling Martin H. , Hoffmann Christoph
Published: May 2023

Biodiversity loss is a main challenge for agricultural sustainability. Major drivers include local management and landscape simplification. Therefore, conservation measures aim to increase organic agriculture, reduce pesticide use, and increase the proportion of semi-natural habitats (SNH). Yet, it is important to understand the effects of such measures. We investigate how arthropod biomass, taxa richness, and community composition in Malaise trap samples are affected by organic management, pesticide use, and SNH in the landscape. The 32 studied vineyards were chosen in a crossed design of management (organic vs. conventional) and pesticide use (regular vs. reduced) along a gradient of landscape composition. Pesticide reduction by 55% was obtained by including half of the vineyards with fungus-resistant grape (FRG) varieties. Malaise trap samples were weighed and arthropods identified using metabarcoding. Surprisingly, biomass was almost one-third higher in conventionally managed vineyards compared to organic ones. Taxa richness increased by more than one third when the proportion of SNH in a radius of 1,000 m in the surrounding landscape increased from zero to 50%. Diptera richness tended to be 4% higher in conventionally managed vineyards and the richness of Hymenoptera was 9% higher in FRG varieties. Community composition changed with the proportion of SNH and differed between organic and conventional management. Overall, organic viticulture was not effective to enhance the arthropod community, which was dominated by flying insects in our study. Agricultural policies should therefore rather preserve and promote SNH in the surrounding in order to promote arthropod biodiversity in viticultural landscapes.
Changes in morphological traits, anatomical and molecular alterations caused by gamma-rays and zinc oxide nanoparticles in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) plant
Authors: Aly Amina A. , Safwat Gehan , Eliwa Noha E. , Eltawil Ahmed H. M. , Abd El-Aziz M. H.
Published: May 2023

Spinach seeds were irradiated with gamma-rays after that soaked in zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO–NPs) at 0.0, 50, 100 and 200 ppm for twenty-four hours at room temperature. Vegetative plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, and proline contents were investigated. Also, anatomical studies and the polymorphism by the SCoT technique were conducted. The present results revealed that the germination percentage was at the maximum values for the treatment of 100 ppm ZnO–NPs (92%), followed by 100 ppm ZnO–NPs + 60 Gy (90%). The application of ZnO–NPs resulted in an enhancement in the plant length. The maximum of chlorophylls and carotenoids content was recorded in the treatment, 100 ppm ZnO–NPs + 60 Gy. Meanwhile, the irradiation dose level (60 Gy) with all ZnO–NPs treatments increased proline content and reached its maximum increase to 1.069 mg/g FW for the treatment 60 Gy combined with 200 ppm ZnO–NPs. Also, the anatomical studies declared that there were variations between the treatments; un-irradiated and irradiated combined with ZnO–NPs plants which reveal that the leave epidermal tissue increased with 200 ppm ZnO–NPs in both the upper and lower epidermis. While irradiated plants with 60 Gy combined with 100 ppm ZnO–NPs gave more thickness of upper epidermis. As well as SCoT molecular marker technique effectively induced molecular alterations between the treatments. Where, SCoT primers targeted many new and missing amplicons that are expected to be associated with the lowly and highly expressed genes with 18.2 and 81.8%, respectively. Also, showed that the soaking in ZnO-NPs was helped for reducing molecular alteration rate, both spontaneous and induced by gamma irradiation. This nominates ZnO–NPs as potential nano-protective agents that can reduce irradiation-induced genetic damage.
Network Hyperexcitability in Early Alzheimer’s Disease: Is Functional Connectivity a Potential Biomarker?
Authors: Stam C. J. , van Nifterick A. M. , de Haan W. , Gouw A. A.
Published: May 2023

Network hyperexcitability (NH) is an important feature of the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Functional connectivity (FC) of brain networks has been proposed as a potential biomarker for NH. Here we use a whole brain computational model and resting-state MEG recordings to investigate the relation between hyperexcitability and FC. Oscillatory brain activity was simulated with a Stuart Landau model on a network of 78 interconnected brain regions. FC was quantified with amplitude envelope correlation (AEC) and phase coherence (PC). MEG was recorded in 18 subjects with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and 18 subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Functional connectivity was determined with the corrected AECc and phase lag index (PLI), in the 4–8 Hz and the 8–13 Hz bands. The excitation/inhibition balance in the model had a strong effect on both AEC and PC. This effect was different for AEC and PC, and was influenced by structural coupling strength and frequency band. Empirical FC matrices of SCD and MCI showed a good correlation with model FC for AEC, but less so for PC. For AEC the fit was best in the hyperexcitable range. We conclude that FC is sensitive to changes in E/I balance. The AEC was more sensitive than the PLI, and results were better for the thetaband than the alpha band. This conclusion was supported by fitting the model to empirical data. Our study justifies the use of functional connectivity measures as surrogate markers for E/I balance.
Laser-Induced Axotomy of Human iPSC-Derived and Murine Primary Neurons Decreases Somatic Tau and AT8 Tau Phosphorylation: A Single-Cell Approach to Study Effects of Acute Axonal Damage
Authors: Bell-Simons M. , Buchholz S. , Klimek J. , Zempel H.
Published: May 2023

The microtubule-associated protein Tau is highly enriched in axons of brain neurons where it regulates axonal outgrowth, plasticity, and transport. Efficient axonal Tau sorting is critical since somatodendritic Tau missorting is a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. However, the molecular mechanisms of axonal Tau sorting are still not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to unravel to which extent anterograde protein transport contributes to axonal Tau sorting. We developed a laser-based axotomy approach with single-cell resolution and combined it with spinning disk confocal microscopy enabling multi live-cell monitoring. We cultivated human iPSC-derived cortical neurons and mouse primary forebrain neurons in specialized chambers allowing reliable post-fixation identification and Tau analysis. Using this approach, we achieved high post-axotomy survival rates and observed axonal regrowth in a subset of neurons. When we assessed somatic missorting and phosphorylation levels of endogenous human or murine Tau at different time points after axotomy, we surprisingly did not observe somatic Tau accumulation or hyperphosphorylation, regardless of their regrowing activity, consistent for both models. These results indicate that impairment of anterograde transit of Tau protein and acute axonal damage may not play a role for the development of somatic Tau pathology. In sum, we developed a laser-based axotomy model suitable for studying the impact of different Tau sorting mechanisms in a highly controllable and reproducible setting, and we provide evidence that acute axon loss does not induce somatic Tau accumulation and AT8 Tau phosphorylation.

Graphical Abstract

UV laser-induced axotomy of human iPSC-derived and mouse primary neurons results in decreased somatic levels of endogenous Tau and AT8 Tau phosphorylation.
Adaptive query compilation in graph databases
Authors: Baumstark Alexander , Jibril Muhammad Attahir , Sattler Kai-Uwe
Published: May 2023

Compiling database queries into compact and efficient machine code has proven to be a great technique to improve query performance and exploit characteristics of modern hardware. Particularly for graph database queries, which often execute the exact instructions for processing, this technique can lead to an improvement. Furthermore, compilation frameworks like LLVM provide powerful optimization techniques and support different backends. However, the time for generating and optimizing machine code becomes an issue for short-running queries or queries which could produce early results quickly. In this work, we present an adaptive approach integrating graph query interpretation and compilation. While query compilation and code generation are running in the background, the query execution starts using the interpreter. When the code generation is finished, the execution switches to the compiled code. Our evaluation of the approach using short-running and complex queries show that autonomously switching execution modes helps to improve the runtime of all types of queries and additionally to hide compilation times and the additional latencies of the underlying storage.
‘Lessons from Blur’
Authors: Martina Giulia
Published: May 2023

This paper is a contribution to the philosophical debate on visual blur from a relationalist perspective. At the same time, it offers a methodological reflection on the adequacy of explanations of phenomenal similarities and differences among perceptual experiences. The debate on seeing blurrily has been shaped by two implicit assumptions concerning our explanations of differences and similarities between experiences of seeing blurrily and other experiences. I call those assumptions into question, and argue that we do not need to provide a unified explanation of the character of blurry experiences for our account to be adequate. The diversity of blurry experiences supports a different, pluralist approach to explanations of how things appear to subjects.
Comparison of durum with ancient tetraploid wheats from an agronomical, chemical, nutritional, and genetic standpoints: a review
Authors: Cabas-Lühmann Patricia , Arriagada Osvin , Matus Iván , Marcotuli Ilaria , Gadaleta Agata , Schwember Andrés R.
Published: May 2023

Under intense breeding, modern wheats, such as durum (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum), are believed to have lost nutritional quality and protein content while increasing productivity. Emmer (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccum Thell) and wild emmer (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) are alternative resources for breeding programs by offering favorable alleles to be introgressed into modern materials and thus broadening their genetic diversity. Studies conducted so far have shown that durum wheat has better performance in agronomical qualities and protein quality than T. dicoccum and T. dicoccoides. However, its grain protein content (GPC) and Fe/Zn concentrations are lower. Several QTL for yield, GPC, and nutrient content in T. dicoccoides have been described, demonstrating its potential for transfer of important genes such as Gpc-B1 into modern cultivars. The Gpc-B1 gene increased the grain protein and Fe and Zn contents, but the agronomic performance of some of the modern recipients was reduced. Understanding the correlations and relationships between agronomic, chemical, and nutritional qualities would simplify selection through breeding for a single trait. Combining this knowledge with conventional breeding, MAS, and new breeding techniques would facilitate the QTL studies in these ancestral wheats and the development of new durum cultivars while retaining the agronomic qualities. In this review, we compare some grain parameters of T. durum, T. dicoccum, and T. dicoccoides wheats, including Fe and Zn content and their genetic aspects, and the existing information is analyzed and integrated for the future prospects of durum wheat improvement.
The Lorentz Transformation in a Fishbowl: A Comment on Cheng and Read’s “Why Not a Sound Postulate?”
Authors: Shanahan Daniel
Published: May 2023

In support of their contention that it is the absence of a subsisting medium that imbues the speed of light with fundamentality, Bryan Cheng and James Read discuss certain “fishbowl universes” in which physical influences evolve, not at the speed of light, but that of sound. The Lorentz transformation simulated in these sonic universes, which the authors cite from the literature of analogue gravity, is not that of Einstein, for whom an aether was “superfluous”, but that of the earlier relativity of Lorentz and Poincaré, which did suppose such a medium. The authors’ intention is not to argue analogically, but simply to contrast the situation of light with that of sound. However, I argue that these universes are too successful as analogues to support the authors’ case. By reducing Lorentzian relativity to its bare essentials, they provide a compelling demonstration of the viability and explanatory strengths of the earlier theory. They show how a thoroughly wave-theoretic treatment of the elementary particles would explain why all aspects of matter transform in like manner, thereby avoiding a difficulty that was a significant reason for the demise of Lorentzian relativity after 1905. Importantly, these sonic universes suggest a unifying explanation, not only of the Lorentz transformation and de Broglie wave, but of the principle of relativity, which was merely postulated, rather than explained, by Einstein in 1905.
Development of reproductive barriers in sympatry
Authors: Jezkova Ivana , Montero-Pau Javier , Ortells Raquel , Serra Manuel
Published: May 2023

Freshwater zooplankter Brachionus plicatilis is able to inhabit different habitats and locally adapt to their environmental conditions. It also shows a high degree of population structuring in small geographical regions. Here we try to shed light on the evolution of reproductive isolation in populations of B. plicatilis with presumptive gene flow among locally adapted populations. We have conducted laboratory experiments on admixed pairwise populations that differ in predictability of the water regime. We have assessed the potential for within-population reproductive preferences as a deviation of genotypes from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in diapausing eggs, a product of sexual reproduction. We expected heterozygote deficit to increase with environmental distance. We have found signs for incipient reproductive isolation in one third of our admixed populations, however no correlation with environmental distance was found, nor with genetic or geographic predictor variables. The overall inbreeding coefficient showed a tendency for within-population crosses preferences to decrease over time.
Camptothecin Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Sorafenib- Induced Ferroptosis Via Suppression of Nrf2
Authors: Elkateb Ahmed S. , Nofal Shahira , Ali Sahar A. , Atya Hanaa B.
Published: May 2023

Sorafenib is a potent inducer of ferroptosis used to manage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The ferroptosis induced by sorafenib activates the p62–Keap1–Nrf2 pathway. Abnormal activation of Nrf2 reduces sorafenib’s efficiency and ferroptosis action and induces sorafenib’s resistance. Consequently, our study tried to study the effect of a novel combination of sorafenib and Camptothecin (CPT, Nrf2 inhibitor) to improve sorafenib’s ferroptosis action and reduce sorafenib resistance in the treatment of HCC. We evaluated the efficacy of sorafenib and/or CPT using HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines. MTT assay evaluated the anti-proliferation effects. The combination index (CI) and dose reduction index (DRI) were calculated using Isobologram analysis. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), iron concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GPX4), and glutathione reductase (GR) activity assays were used to determine the ferroptosis action of drugs. Western blot was used to investigate the expression of the implicated proteins. Bioinformatics tools were used to determine the correlation between these proteins. Finally, the HPLC technique is used to measure cellular drug uptake. Our results revealed a strong synergism between sorafenib and CPT. The synergetic combination significantly increases lipid peroxidation and iron concentration, decreases TAC, GPX4 and GR activity, and reduces the expression of both Nrf2 and SLC7A11. The downregulation of Nrf2 expression has a vital role in the reduction of resistance mediators to sorafenib against HCC cells like (p62, MT1G, and ABCG2) and improves the cellular uptake of sorafenib. The current study provided evidence that Nrf2 inhibition by CPT improves sorafenib’s sensitivity and reduces sorafenib’s resistance via the augmentation of sorafenib’s ferroptosis action.
Gambling-like Features in fan Tokens
Authors: Lopez-Gonzalez Hibai , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: May 2023

Fan tokens are a form of cryptocurrency that allow owners to participate in various fan-related experiences such as voting on the music to be played during half-time breaks in sporting events. Since 2020, many elite sport teams have issued fan tokens, allegedly as a way to engage with fans and hear their voice. However, fan tokens also raise some concerns. They are largely gamified digital items that intend to keep fans within the providers’ app. Also, they can be traded in exchange platforms, which arguably transform them into collectibles, whose value can vary over time. Here, we explore fan tokens through a case study from a football (soccer) club (i.e., an F.C. Barcelona fan token). Drawing on literature from situational and structural characteristics of gambling, we analyse the gambling-like features that fan tokens include in their product design. Such features are discussed from a public health perspective, comparing what they mean in gambling contexts and how potentially harmful they could be for fan token holders.
Improvement of Optical Properties of Functionalized Polyvinyl Alcohol-Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanocomposites for Wide UV Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Abd-Elnaiem Alaa M. , Rashad M. , Hanafy T. A. , Shaalan N. M.
Published: May 2023

The functionalized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based nanocomposites thick films of 80 μm containing 1–3 wt% zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy were utilized for studying the structural parameters and formed chemical bonds of the synthesized PVA-ZnO films. In addition, extensive characterization has been done on their linear and nonlinear optical properties. The structural analysis of the PVA-ZnO nanocomposites revealed the formation of a wurtzite hexagonal ZnO phase embedded inside the monoclinic PVA phase. The interaction between Zn–O, and functional groups of the PVA as well as the molecular vibration exhibited in the PVA-ZnO nanocomposites were confirmed by the Raman and FTIR spectroscopy and revealed that the PVA-ZnO is a hybrid nanocomposite. The incorporated ZnO NPs ratios slightly affect the PVA films' structure, meanwhile, exhibited a detectable change in the linear/nonlinear optical properties of PVA. For example, as ZnO concentration increased from 1 wt% to 3 wt%, the direct/indirect optical band gap of PVA slightly decreased from 5.1/4.93 eV to 4.45/4.89 eV, respectively. Other optical characteristics, such as optical conductivity, dielectric constants, absorption coefficient, refractive index, etc., were evaluated. All observed optical properties versus energy/wavelength display a distinct pulse at 1.4 eV/850 nm which corresponds to the difference between the direct and indirect optical band gaps. It is expected that PVA-ZnO hybrid nanocomposites have become appropriate for implementation in numerous electronic applications due to their improved optical characteristics.
Non-conforming Interface Conditions for the Second-Order Wave Equation
Authors: Eriksson Gustav
Published: May 2023

Imposition methods of interface conditions for the second-order wave equation with non-conforming grids is considered. The spatial discretization is based on high order finite differences with summation-by-parts properties. Previously presented solution methods for this problem, based on the simultaneous approximation term (SAT) method, have shown to introduce significant stiffness. This can lead to highly inefficient schemes. Here, two new methods of imposing the interface conditions to avoid the stiffness problems are presented: (1) a projection method and (2) a hybrid between the projection method and the SAT method. Numerical experiments are performed using traditional and order-preserving interpolation operators. Both of the novel methods retain the accuracy and convergence behavior of the previously developed SAT method but are significantly less stiff.