bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atrophy of specific amygdala subfields in subjects converting to mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Padulo Caterina , Sestieri Carlo , Punzi Miriam , Picerni Eleonora , Chiacchiaretta Piero , Tullo Maria Giulia , Granzotto Alberto , Baldassarre Antonello , Onofrj Marco , Ferretti Antonio , Delli Pizzi Stefano , Sensi Stefano L. ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Iniziative
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Accumulating evidence indicates that the amygdala exhibits early signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, it is still unknown whether the atrophy of distinct subfields of the amygdala also participates in the transition from healthy cognition to mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

Our sample was derived from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative 3 and consisted of 97 cognitively healthy (HC) individuals, sorted into two groups based on their clinical follow‐up: 75 who remained stable (s‐HC) and 22 who converted to MCI within 48 months (c‐HC). Anatomical magnetic resonance (MR) images were analyzed using a semi‐automatic approach that combines probabilistic methods and a priori information from ex vivo MR images and histology to segment and obtain quantitative structural metrics for different amygdala subfields in each participant. Spearman's correlations were performed between MR measures and baseline and longitudinal neuropsychological measures. We also included anatomical measurements of the whole amygdala, the hippocampus, a key target of AD‐related pathology, and the whole cortical thickness as a test of spatial specificity.

Results

Compared with s‐HC individuals, c‐HC subjects showed a reduced right amygdala volume, whereas no significant difference was observed for hippocampal volumes or changes in cortical thickness. In the amygdala subfields, we observed selected atrophy patterns in the basolateral nuclear complex, anterior amygdala area, and transitional area. Macro‐structural alterations in these subfields correlated with variations of global indices of cognitive performance (measured at baseline and the 48‐month follow‐up), suggesting that amygdala changes shape the cognitive progression to MCI.

Discussion

Our results provide anatomical evidence for the early involvement of the amygdala in the preclinical stages of AD.

Highlights

Amygdala's atrophy marks elderly progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Amygdala's was observed within the basolateral and amygdaloid complexes.

Macro‐structural alterations were associated with cognitive decline.

No atrophy was found in the hippocampus and cortex.
The senescent mesothelial matrix accentuates colonization by ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Thapa Bharat Vivan , Banerjee Mallar , Glimm Tilmann , Saini Deepak K. , Bhat Ramray
Published: December 2023

Ovarian cancer is amongst the most morbid of gynecological malignancies due to its diagnosis at an advanced stage, a transcoelomic mode of metastasis, and rapid transition to chemotherapeutic resistance. Like all other malignancies, the progression of ovarian cancer may be interpreted as an emergent outcome of the conflict between metastasizing cancer cells and the natural defense mounted by microenvironmental barriers to such migration. Here, we asked whether senescence in coelom-lining mesothelia, brought about by drug exposure, affects their interaction with disseminated ovarian cancer cells. We observed that cancer cells adhered faster on senescent human and murine mesothelial monolayers than on non-senescent controls. Time-lapse epifluorescence microscopy showed that mesothelial cells were cleared by a host of cancer cells that surrounded the former, even under sub-confluent conditions. A multiscale computational model predicted that such colocalized mesothelial clearance under sub-confluence requires greater adhesion between cancer cells and senescent mesothelia. Consistent with the prediction, we observed that senescent mesothelia expressed an extracellular matrix with higher levels of fibronectin, laminins and hyaluronan than non-senescent controls. On senescent matrix, cancer cells adhered more efficiently, spread better, and moved faster and persistently, aiding the spread of cancer. Inhibition assays using RGD cyclopeptides suggested the adhesion was predominantly contributed by fibronectin and laminin. These findings led us to propose that the senescence-associated matrisomal phenotype of peritoneal barriers enhances the colonization of invading ovarian cancer cells contributing to the metastatic burden associated with the disease.
Nesting Statistics in the O(n) Loop Model on Random Planar Maps
Authors: Borot Gaëtan , Bouttier Jérémie , Duplantier Bertrand
Published: December 2023

In the O(n) loop model on random planar maps, we study the depth—in terms of the number of levels of nesting—of the loop configuration, by means of analytic combinatorics. We focus on the ‘refined’ generating series of pointed disks or cylinders, which keep track of the number of loops separating the marked point from the boundary (for disks), or the two boundaries (for cylinders). For the general O(n) loop model, we show that these generating series satisfy functional relations obtained by a modification of those satisfied by the unrefined generating series. In a more specific O(n) model where loops cross only triangles and have a bending energy, we explicitly compute the refined generating series. We analyse their non generic critical behavior in the dense and dilute phases, and obtain the large deviations function of the nesting distribution, which is expected to be universal. Using the framework of Liouville quantum gravity (LQG), we show that a rigorous functional KPZ relation can be applied to the multifractal spectrum of extreme nesting in the conformal loop ensemble ($$\textrm{CLE}_{\kappa }$$

CLE
κ

) in the Euclidean unit disk, as obtained by Miller et al. (Ann Probab 44(2):1013–1052, 2016, arXiv:1401.0217), or to its natural generalisation to the Riemann sphere. It allows us to recover the large deviations results obtained for the critical O(n) random planar map models. This offers, at the refined level of large deviations theory, a rigorous check of the fundamental fact that the universal scaling limits of random planar map models as weighted by partition functions of critical statistical models are given by LQG random surfaces decorated by independent CLEs.
Ein Rückblick auf Persönlichkeiten der Wiener Ophthalmologischen Schule
Authors: Drobec P. , Heilig P.
Published: December 2023

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der historischen Entwicklung der Wiener Ophthalmologischen Schule und greift berühmte Persönlichkeiten heraus.
Nonlinear macromodeling of multistory RC buildings with masonry infill walls
Authors: El-Kholy Ahmed M. , Sayed Sayed M. , El-Assaly Mohamed M.
Published: December 2023

The structural behavior prediction of the multistory reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with masonry infill walls (MIWs) during earthquakes is challenging. This paper presents a nonlinear macromodeling strategy seeking a simple, reliable, and low-cost computational analysis of the multistory RC buildings that comprise MIWs, and that use frames or shear walls (SWs) for resisting the lateral load. The strategy employed four plastic hinge (PH) models for tracking the deformations (flexural, shear, and torsion) of the frame elements and joints, a multilinear plastic link for modeling the MIW, and a nonlinear multilayer shell element for modeling the SW. A flexural PH model characterized by discretization into fibers, a recommended position, and an iterative estimating for the PH length using a distinct formula for each loading level was proposed. This strategy was validated through eleven macromodels investigating four bare frames, four MIWs frames, and a SW where the average ultimate lateral load error was 9.2%, 3.6%, and 0.4%, respectively. Finally, the structural behavior of real ten-story buildings with/without MIWs was investigated. The results showed that the MIWs increased the shear capacity and the lateral stiffness with an average of 44.3% and 118.6%, respectively. Also, both the frames buildings with MIWs and the bare SWs buildings showed approximately equal lateral load capacities. Local damages in the RC vertical elements and yielding of the MIWs were recorded simultaneously. However, the MIWs yielding (and also failure) occurred earlier for the frames buildings compared with the SWs buildings in which the stress was relaxed in their MIWs.
Termination of triangular polynomial loops
Authors: Hark Marcel , Frohn Florian , Giesl Jürgen
Published: December 2023

We consider the problem of proving termination for triangular weakly non-linear loops (twn-loops) over some ring $$\mathcal {S}$$
S
like $$\mathbb {Z}$$
Z
, $$\mathbb {Q}$$
Q
, or $$\mathbb {R}$$
R
. The guard of such a loop is an arbitrary quantifier-free Boolean formula over (possibly non-linear) polynomial inequations, and the body is a single assignment of the form $$\begin{bmatrix} x_1\\ \ldots \\ x_d \end{bmatrix} \leftarrow \begin{bmatrix} c_1 \cdot x_1 + p_1\\ \ldots \\ c_d \cdot x_d + p_d \end{bmatrix}$$

x
1

…

x
d

←

c
1

·

x
1

+

p
1

…

c
d

·

x
d

+

p
d

where each $$x_i$$

x
i

is a variable, $$c_i \in \mathcal {S}$$

c
i

∈
S

, and each $$p_i$$

p
i

is a (possibly non-linear) polynomial over $$\mathcal {S}$$
S
and the variables $$x_{i+1},\ldots ,x_{d}$$

x

i
+
1

,
…
,

x
d

.

We show that the question of termination can be reduced to the existential fragment of the first-order theory of $$\mathcal {S}$$
S
. For loops over $$\mathbb {R}$$
R
, our reduction implies decidability of termination. For loops over $$\mathbb {Z}$$
Z
and $$\mathbb {Q}$$
Q
, it proves semi-decidability of non-termination.

Furthermore, we present a transformation to convert certain non-twn-loops into twn-form. Then the original loop terminates iff the transformed loop terminates over a specific subset of $$\mathbb {R}$$
R
, which can also be checked via our reduction. Moreover, we formalize a technique to linearize (the updates of) twn-loops in our setting and analyze its complexity. Based on these results, we prove complexity bounds for the termination problem of twn-loops as well as tight bounds for two important classes of loops which can always be transformed into twn-loops.

Finally, we show that there is an important class of linear loops. where our decision procedure results in an efficient procedure for termination analysis, i.e., where the parameterized complexity of deciding termination is polynomial.
Climate policy and optimal public debt
Authors: Kellner Maximilian , Runkel Marco
Published: December 2023

Employing a two-period model with an environmental externality, this paper investigates the relation between emission taxation and the optimal level of public debt. The central insight is that the effect of emission taxation on optimal borrowing is ambiguous and may lead to lower or higher optimal debt. In the context of climate change, we even show that the counterintuitive result of a higher optimal debt level is likely in the short-run and possibly also in the long-run, a result that provides a novel rationale for public borrowing. Our basic arguments turn out to be robust against several generalization.
Geometry Parameter Estimation for Sparse X-Ray Log Imaging
Authors: Senchukova Angelina , Suuronen Jarkko , Heikkinen Jere , Roininen Lassi
Published: December 2023

We consider geometry parameter estimation in industrial sawmill fan-beam X-ray tomography. In such industrial settings, scanners do not always allow identification of the location of the source–detector pair, which creates the issue of unknown geometry. This work considers an approach for geometry estimation based on the calibration object. We parametrise the geometry using a set of 5 parameters. To estimate the geometry parameters, we calculate the maximum cross-correlation between a known-sized calibration object image and its filtered backprojection reconstruction and use differential evolution as an optimiser. The approach allows estimating geometry parameters from full-angle measurements as well as from sparse measurements. We show numerically that different sets of parameters can be used for artefact-free reconstruction. We deploy Bayesian inversion with first-order isotropic Cauchy difference priors for reconstruction of synthetic and real sawmill data with a very low number of measurements.
Uniform strain high-pressure torsion (US-HPT): an approach to reduce strain gradients
Authors: Hohenwarter A. , Wurster S.
Published: December 2023

Based on the pioneering work of Erbel, we propose a simple modification of classical high-pressure torsion anvils that allows a strong reduction or even elimination of the inherent strain gradient in disk-shaped samples deformed by high-pressure torsion. This is realized by using an adapted anvil design, which entails a linearly varying depth of the anvil’s depression with the radius. In order to compare results of using the modified anvil design with classical flat anvils, a comparative study using high purity nickel was performed. The possible change in the strain gradient is assessed with hardness and microstructural investigations. The results prove that the strain gradient can be considerably reduced or even eliminated. The technical features of this technique, in the following termed as uniform strain high-pressure torsion (US-HPT), are presented with this feasibility study and practical limitations are discussed.

Graphical abstract
Phase transformation and heterojunction nanostructures of bismuth iron oxide
Authors: Xu Chunxin , Wang Yufei , Wang Qin , Li Jian , Yan Long
Published: December 2023

The construction of an efficient bismuth iron oxide shows great potential in excellent crystal structure properties and visible light photocatalysis. However, it is challenging to synthesize nanostructures with the desired morphologies. For the first time, the bismuth iron oxide is fabricated using sol–gel synthesis method, exhibiting the desired crystallite size and tuning the types of heterojunction nanostructures by regulating the concentration of Fe3+ and calcination temperature. As a result, the feeding ratios of bismuth ferrite materials Bi2Fe4O9, BiFeO3/Bi2Fe4O9, BiFeO3, BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40, and Bi25FeO40 are 2:1, 1.5:1, 1:1, 0.75:1, 0.5:1, and 0.04:1, respectively. Besides, the calcination temperature not only influences the granularity of bismuth iron oxide but also promotes the phase transformation from BiFeO3 to Bi2Fe4O9. Moreover, BiFeO3/Bi2Fe4O9 and BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 heterojunction nanostructures display strong interactions between BiFeO3–Bi2Fe4O9 and Bi25FeO40. Besides, BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 heterojunction nanostructures exhibit obvious grain boundary with the smallest bandgap. This study presents far-reaching implications and provides pathways to prepare BiFeO3/Bi2Fe4O9 and BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 heterojunction nanostructures.
Deep Learning-based Diagnosis and Localization of Pneumothorax on Portable Supine Chest X-ray in Intensive and Emergency Medicine: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Wang Chih-Hung , Lin Tzuching , Chen Guanru , Lee Meng-Rui , Tay Joyce , Wu Cheng-Yi , Wu Meng-Che , Roth Holger R. , Yang Dong , Zhao Can , Wang Weichung , Huang Chien-Hua
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To develop two deep learning-based systems for diagnosing and localizing pneumothorax on portable supine chest X-rays (SCXRs).

Methods

For this retrospective study, images meeting the following inclusion criteria were included: (1) patient age ≥ 20 years; (2) portable SCXR; (3) imaging obtained in the emergency department or intensive care unit. Included images were temporally split into training (1571 images, between January 2015 and December 2019) and testing (1071 images, between January 2020 to December 2020) datasets. All images were annotated using pixel-level labels. Object detection and image segmentation were adopted to develop separate systems. For the detection-based system, EfficientNet-B2, DneseNet-121, and Inception-v3 were the architecture for the classification model; Deformable DETR, TOOD, and VFNet were the architecture for the localization model. Both classification and localization models of the segmentation-based system shared the UNet architecture.

Results

In diagnosing pneumothorax, performance was excellent for both detection-based (Area under receiver operating characteristics curve [AUC]: 0.940, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.907–0.967) and segmentation-based (AUC: 0.979, 95% CI: 0.963–0.991) systems. For images with both predicted and ground-truth pneumothorax, lesion localization was highly accurate (detection-based Dice coefficient: 0.758, 95% CI: 0.707–0.806; segmentation-based Dice coefficient: 0.681, 95% CI: 0.642–0.721). The performance of the two deep learning-based systems declined as pneumothorax size diminished. Nonetheless, both systems were similar or better than human readers in diagnosis or localization performance across all sizes of pneumothorax.

Conclusions

Both deep learning-based systems excelled when tested in a temporally different dataset with differing patient or image characteristics, showing favourable potential for external generalizability.
Incorporating history and deviations in forward–backward splitting
Authors: Sadeghi Hamed , Banert Sebastian , Giselsson Pontus
Published: December 2023

We propose a variation of the forward–backward splitting method for solving structured monotone inclusions. Our method integrates past iterates and two deviation vectors into the update equations. These deviation vectors bring flexibility to the algorithm and can be chosen arbitrarily as long as they together satisfy a norm condition. We present special cases where the deviation vectors, selected as predetermined linear combinations of previous iterates, always meet the norm condition. Notably, we introduce an algorithm employing a scalar parameter to interpolate between the conventional forward–backward splitting scheme and an accelerated $$\mathcal {O}\left( \frac{1}{n^2}\right) $$

O

1

n
2

-convergent forward–backward method that encompasses both the accelerated proximal point method and the Halpern iteration as special cases. The existing methods correspond to the two extremes of the allowed scalar parameter range. By choosing the interpolation scalar near the midpoint of the permissible range, our algorithm significantly outperforms these previously known methods when addressing a basic monotone inclusion problem stemming from minimax optimization.
Earnings quality and board meeting frequency
Authors: Vafeas Nikos , Vlittis Adamos
Published: December 2023

We propose that corporate directors are in greater need of soft information about the firm when the quality of hard accounting information is low. We further propose that board meetings constitute a key opportunity for corporate directors to gather soft information about the firm, and empirically investigate the relationship between financial reporting quality and the board's soft information gathering, as revealed by board meeting frequency. Consistent with expectations, we find that boards meet more frequently when accruals quality is low. We further find that the proportion of outside directors, insider ownership, and SOX regulation moderate this relationship. The evidence is reinforced by analysis of management earnings forecasts, financial restatements, and internal control weaknesses and is robust to several alternative earnings quality specifications. Additional empirical tests suggest that our results are incremental to the alternative explanation of increased meeting frequency to address problems in the reporting process per se. We conclude that corporate directors seek more frequent board meetings as an alternative information source to low earnings quality.
Disrupted topological organization of functional brain networks in traumatic axonal injury
Authors: Li Jian , Shu Yongqiang , Chen Liting , Wang Bo , Chen Linglong , Zhan Jie , Kuang Hongmei , Xia Guojin , Zhou Fuqing , Gong Honghan , Zeng Xianjun
Published: December 2023

Traumatic axonal injury (TAI) may result in the disruption of brain functional networks and is strongly associated with cognitive impairment. However, the neural mechanisms affecting the neurocognitive function after TAI remain to be elucidated. We collected the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 28 patients with TAI and 28 matched healthy controls. An automated anatomical labeling atlas was used to construct a functional brain connectome. We utilized a graph theoretical approach to investigate the alterations in global and regional network topologies, and network-based statistics analysis was utilized to localize the connected networks more precisely. The current study revealed that patients with TAI and healthy controls both showed a typical small-world topology of the functional brain networks. However, patients with TAI exhibited a significantly lower local efficiency compared to healthy controls, whereas no significant difference emerged in other small-world properties (Cp, Lp, γ, λ, and σ) and global efficiency. Moreover, patients with TAI exhibited aberrant nodal centralities in some regions, including the frontal lobes, parietal lobes, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum bilaterally, and right olfactory cortex. The network-based statistics results showed alterations in the long-distance functional connections in the subnetwork in patients with TAI, involving these brain regions with significantly altered nodal centralities. These alterations suggest that brain networks of individuals with TAI present aberrant topological attributes that are associated with cognitive impairment, which could be potential biomarkers for predicting cognitive dysfunction and help understanding the neuropathological mechanisms in patients with TAI.
SIRT1 Inhibition-Induced Mitochondrial Damage Promotes GSDME-Dependent Pyroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Liu Di , Liu Junhao , Liu Kejun , Hu Yanchao , Feng Jinming , Bu Yang , Wang Qi
Published: December 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor that affects the liver and poses a significant threat to human health. Further investigation is necessary to fully understand the role of SIRT1, a protein linked to tumorigenesis, in HCC development. To investigate the effect of SIRT1 on HCC and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Eight pairs of HCC and paracancerous normal tissue specimens were collected. The levels of SIRT1 and GSDME in tissue samples were assessed using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. SIRT1 levels were determined in HCC (Huh7, HepG2, SNU-423, SNU-398, and HCCLM3) and L-02 cells using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. SNU-423 and HCCLM3 cells were transfected with si-SIRT1 and/or si-GSDME to knock down SIRT1 or GSDME expression. RT-qPCR and western blotting were performed to measure the expression of SIRT1, pro-casp-3, cl-casp-3, GSDME, GSDME-N, PGC-1α, Bax, and cytochrome c (Cyto C). Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing assay, Transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was evaluated using an LDH kit. SIRT1 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells, and a negative correlation was observed between SIRT1 and GSDME-N. SIRT1 silencing suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells while also promoting apoptosis and inducing mitochondrial damage. Additionally, the silencing of SIRT1 resulted in the formation of large bubbles on the plasma membrane of HCC cells, leading to cellular swelling and aggravated GSDME-dependent pyroptosis, resulting in an increase in LDH release. Inhibition of GSDME reduced SIRT1 silencing-induced cell swelling, decreased LDH release rate, and promoted apoptosis. SIRT1 silencing promotes GSDME-dependent pyroptosis in HCC cells by damaging mitochondria.
Do Robots Have Sex? A Prolegomenon
Authors: Sparrow Robert , Horn Eliana , Eyssel Friederike
Published: December 2023

Research in Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) suggests that people attribute gender to (some) robots. In this paper we outline a program of research on the gendering of robots and on the ethical issues raised by such gendering. Understanding which robots are gendered, when, and why, will require careful research in HRI, drawing on anthropology and social psychology, informed by state-of-the-art research in gender studies and critical theory. Design features of robots that might influence the attribution of gender include: appearance; tone of voice; speech repertoire; range and style of movement; behaviour; and, intended function. Robots may be gendered differently depending on: the age, class, sex, ethnicity, and sexuality of the person doing the attributing; local cultural histories; social cues from the designers, the physical and institutional environment, and other users; and the role of the robot. An adequate account of the gender of robots will also need to pay attention to the limits of a sex/gender distinction, which has historically been maintained by reference to a “sex” located in a biological body, when it comes to theorising the gender of robots. We argue that, on some accounts of what it is to be sexed, robots might “have” sex: they might be male and female in just the same way as (most) human beings are. Addressing the ethical issues raised by the gendering of robots will require further progress in “robot media ethics”, as well as an account of the responsibilities of both designers and users in a broader social context.
Research on the mechanism of the two-dimensional ultrasonic surface burnishing process to enhance the wear resistance for aluminum alloy
Authors: Zhou Zhen-Yu , Zheng Qiu-Yang , Li Yu , Ding Cong , Peng Guang-Jian , Piao Zhong-Yu
Published: December 2023

The gradient nanostructure is machined on the aluminum (Al) alloy by the two-dimensional ultrasonic surface burnishing process (2D-USBP). The mechanism of why the gradient nanostructure enhances wear resistance is investigated. The mechanical properties and microstructure characterization for the gradient nanostructure are performed by operating a nanoindenter, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). Dry wear tests are performed on the samples before and after machining to evaluate the wear resistance and mechanisms. The effect of the gradient nanostructure on the wear resistance is explored by developing the crystal plasticity (CP) finite element and molecular dynamics (MD) models. The characterization results show that the 2D-USBP sample prepared a gradient structure of ∼600 µm thick on the aluminum surface, increasing the surface hardness from 1.13 to 1.71 GPa and reducing the elastic modulus from 78.84 to 70.14 GPa. The optimization of the surface microstructure and the increase of the mechanical properties effectively enhance the wear resistance of the sample, with 41.20%, 39.07%, and 54.58% of the wear scar areas for the 2D-USBP treated samples to the original samples under 5, 10, and 15 N loads, respectively. The gradient nanostructure hinders the slip of dislocations inside the sample during the wear process and reduces the size and scope of plastic deformation; meanwhile, the resistance to deformation, adhesion, and crack initiation and propagation of the sample surface is improved, resulting in enhanced wear resistance.
Railway Safety Assessment Model Solving by Decision Tree and PSO Algorithm
Authors: Jun Liu , Wanqi Wang , Ping Li , Xiaoning Ma , Yanhua Wu , Wenya Xu
Published: December 2023

Safety assessment and safety warning in intelligent railway play an important role in safety management. This paper utilizes the PSO algorithm with bounds and time-varying attractor to obtain some parameters in the safety assessment model. Firstly, the safety assessment model is provided to evaluate the safety status on the existing problem, railway equipment and railway worker. Secondly, one objective function and three constraint conditions on training the safety assessment model are introduced to minimize the square error between the output and the safety classification level. Thirdly, it is important to discuss the convergence behavior and spectral radius on transfer matrix in the PSO algorithm with bounds and time-varying attractor. Finally, in order to show and demonstrate the effectiveness of the PSO algorithm, it is important to analyze the objective fitness, the swarm velocity, the time-varying attractor, the parameters in the safety assessment model and the computational time during the evolutionary process. And the PSO algorithm with bounds and time-varying attractor can solve parameter optimization problem on the railway safety assessment and warning.
Reactive Power Output Modeling of Synchronous Condenser in UHVDC Converter Station Based on Interlaced Superposition CNN-BiLSTM
Authors: Wang Lin , Wang Honghua , Lu Tianhang , Wang Chengliang
Published: December 2023

To guarantee stable power system operation, a synchronous condenser (SC) is configured in an ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) converter station to provide dynamic reactive power support to the power system. The research on the reactive power output modelling of a SC in an UHVDC converter station has important theoretical significance and practical value for the reactive power control of a SC in an UHVDC converter station. Focusing on the reactive power regulation system of the SC with strong coupling, multivariable, and nonlinear features, it is difficult for the universal analytic method to build the SC reactive power output model. A novel reactive power output model of the SC in the UHVDC converter station based on interlaced superposition convolutional neural network-bidirectional long short-term memory (CNN-BiLSTM) is proposed, in which a novel interlaced superposition CNN composed of convolution units with two different structures is built to increase the depth of the network and avoid over-fitting. Particularly the branch channels of convolution units with two different structures are connected by a convolution layer and a skip connection respectively. The interlaced superposition CNN-BiLSTM model is that the combination of the interlaced superposition CNN model and BiLSTM model for improving the model accuracy and generic capability. The Bayesian optimization method is used to optimize its hyperparameters. The application of interlaced Superposition CNN-BiLSTM in SC reactive power output modelling is a new technology. The excitation voltage and excitation current of the SC are used as inputs for the training and testing sampled data, and the reactive power of the SC is used as outputs for the training and testing sampled data. Therefore, the reactive power output model of a SC in an UHVDC converter station based on interlaced superposition CNN-BiLSTM is obtained, and it attains a low root mean square error (RMSE = 0.126750) and a high determination coefficient (R2 = 0.999999).
An RBF-FD Method for Numerical Solutions of 2D Diffusion-Wave and Diffusion Equations of Distributed Fractional Order
Authors: Taghipour Fatemeh , Shirzadi Ahmad , Safarpoor Mansour
Published: December 2023

The subject of this paper is to propose a numerical algorithm for solving 2D diffusion and diffusion-wave equations of distributed order fractional derivatives. Such equations arise in modelling complex systems and have many important applications. Existence of integral term over the order of fractional derivative causes the high complexity of these equations and so their numerical solutions needs special cares. Using Gauss quadrature approach for discretizing the integral term of fractional derivative converts the distributed equation into a multi-term fractional differential equation. Then, the time variable is discretized with a suitable finite difference approach. The resultant semi-discretized equations are fully discretized by a radial basis function-generated finite difference based method. Convergence of the method are studied numerically. Various kind of test problems are considered for a comprehensive numerical study and the results confirm the efficiency of the method.
Properties of flyash based wood geopolymer composite
Authors: Mamatha B. S. , Sujatha D. , Uday D. N. , Kiran M. C.
Published: December 2023

Geopolymers are inorganic adhesive synthesized from industrial waste such as fly ash thus the development of wood geopolymer composite would be a low carbon footprint material. Geopolymers, being a non-formaldehyde adhesive can be used as an alternative binder for wood based composites where environmentally friendly and sustainability of product is important. In this study flyash as precursor is been used in the development of wood geopolymer composite product. Flyash is activated with a combination of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solutions at a weight ratio of 1:2.5 for geopolymer formation. The study investigated the properties of wood geopolymer composite made with ratios of wood particle to flyash percentage (23/77), (37/62), (44/55), (50/50) and (57/43). Geopolymer formation was observed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Influence of wood particles in wood geopolymer composite were observed by Scanning electron microscope. The study shows that the water absorption and thickness selling properties of all the formulations of wood geopolymer composites are comparable with the medium density particle board and cement-bonded particleboard according to the IS:3087–2005 standard and IS: 12406: respectively. Highest mechanical properties and good bond strength was obtained by the composite containing 23% wood particle ratio with 77% percent flyash. However, still improvement in mechanical properties is needed to achieve the mechanical properties comparable to cement bonded particle board.
Association of vancomycin-induced acute kidney injury with trough versus AUC monitoring in patients receiving extended durations of therapy
Authors: Tyler Pitcock C. , Schadler Aric , Burgess David S. , Burgess Donna R. , Cotner Sarah E. , Van Hoose Jeremy , Gregory Eric R. , Wallace Katie L.
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Vancomycin therapy is associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Previous studies suggest that area under the curve (AUC) monitoring reduces the risk of AKI, but literature is lacking to support this in patients receiving longer durations of vancomycin therapy.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Method:

Patients ≥18 years old, admitted between August 2015 and July 2017 or October 2017 and September 2019, and received at least 14 days of intravenous (IV) vancomycin therapy were included in the study. Our primary outcome was the incidence of AKI between trough monitoring and AUC monitoring groups using Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Secondary outcomes included inpatient mortality, median inpatient length of stay, and median intensive care unit length of stay.

Results:

Overall, 582 patients were included in the study, with 318 patients included in the trough monitoring group and 264 included in the AUC monitoring group. The median duration of vancomycin therapy was 23 days (interquartile range, 16–39). Patients within the trough monitoring group had a higher incidence of AKI compared to the AUC monitoring group (45.6% vs 28.4%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that AUC monitoring was associated with a 54% lower incidence of AKI (OR 0.46, 95% CI [0.31–0.69]). All-cause inpatient mortality was numerically higher in the trough monitoring group (12.9% vs 8.3%, p = 0.078).

Conclusions:

In patients who received at least 14 days of IV vancomycin therapy, AUC monitoring was associated with a lower incidence of AKI.
Contesting the Lonely Queen
Authors: Hanna Monica
Published: December 2023

The bust of Nefertiti symbolizes the transformation of the Egyptian heritage where the West has become the rightful heir of Ancient Egypt through a system of knowledge production that controls the Egyptian cultural heritage in Western Museum collections. This article explores the intricacies of the entanglement of cultural property with heritage politics projected on the famous bust. It is the best example to discuss decolonization and its ethical implications on museum practice in the twenty-first century and Egyptology as an area study. The article discusses the legal and ethical framework of the bust of Nefertiti’s discovery, export, and current exhibition and its complex receptions in Germany and Egypt.
Analysis of a SARIMA-XGBoost model for hand, foot, and mouth disease in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Man Haojie , Huang Hanting , Qin Zhuangyan , Li Zhiming
Published: December 2023

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood infectious disease. The incidence of HFMD has a pronounced seasonal tendency and is closely related to meteorological factors such as temperature, rainfall, and wind speed. In this paper, we propose a combined SARIMA-XGBoost model to improve the prediction accuracy of HFMD in 15 regions of Xinjiang, China. The SARIMA model is used for seasonal trends, and the XGBoost algorithm is applied for the nonlinear effects of meteorological factors. The geographical and temporal weighted regression model is designed to analyze the influence of meteorological factors from temporal and spatial perspectives. The analysis results show that the HFMD exhibits seasonal characteristics, peaking from May to August each year, and the HFMD incidence has significant spatial heterogeneity. The meteorological factors affecting the spread of HFMD vary among regions. Temperature and daylight significantly impact the transmission of the disease in most areas. Based on the verification experiment of forecasting, the proposed SARIMA-XGBoost model is superior to other models in accuracy, especially in regions with a high incidence of HFMD.
Contextual dilution in French gender inclusive writing: An experimental investigation
Authors: Pozniak Céline , Corbeau Emma , Burnett Heather
Published: December 2023

Gender inclusive writing, a term that refers to a wide range of feminist linguistic practices aimed at reducing linguistic androcentrism, has been the topic of heated debates in France. Recent experimental studies have investigated its interpretation and showed that inclusive forms with the point médian (“étudiant·e·s”) and repetition (“étudiants et étudiantes”) feminize participants’ mental representations compared to the generic masculine (“étudiants”). In this article, we bring novel results from three experiments investigating the interpretation of these two inclusive forms in a more detailed context (university brochures). We find that the point médian is subject to “context dilution” effects: its meaning disappears in rich contexts, while repetition consistently changes readers’ mental representations, provided it is used systematically. We argue that our results show the necessity of looking at more ecological contexts in experimental (socio)linguistics for understanding the interpretation and processing of socially important linguistic variants.
The Poona Pact, Indian National Congress and the descriptive and substantive representation of Dalits in colonial India
Authors: Biswas Sujay
Published: December 2023

Within the prevailing historiographical tradition of modern India, critics see the Poona Pact as having “disenfranchised” Dalits, which they attribute to the fact that, due to the numerical superiority of caste Hindus, the implementation of joint electorates resulted in the consolidation of power within the Indian National Congress: the party that, critics allege, protected the interests of the caste Hindu community. Critics further argue that Dalit candidates who successfully ran for office under the Congress party’s banner, garnering support mostly from caste Hindu voters, failed to speak for the interests of the Dalit community effectively. This article examines the returns of the provincial assembly elections held in 1936–1937 and 1945–1946, as well as the functioning of the Congress ministries in the provinces of British India between 1937 and 1939 and 1946 and 1947 to challenge the criticisms mentioned above and to argue that the inclusion of reserved seats, primary elections, and cumulative voting mechanisms had a significant role in enhancing the potential of the Poona Pact to ensure genuine descriptive representation of Dalits. The article also finds that the affiliation of Dalit legislators with the Congress party had a beneficial impact on their substantive representation in the provincial legislatures where the Congress formed ministries because Dalit interests and the ideological and programmatic dynamics of the Congress party were congruent. In this context, Gandhi, a member of the caste Hindu community, played the role of a “critical actor” who encouraged the Congress party to undertake measures to advance the interests of the Dalit community. Moreover, a powerful and autonomous anti-untouchability movement led by the Harijan Sevak Sangh played a crucial role in enhancing the institutional capabilities of the Congress governments, enabling them to effectively address the concerns and challenges faced by the Dalit community, which further bolstered the substantive representation of Dalits.
Strongly Nonlinear Effects on Determining Internal Solitary Wave Parameters From Surface Signatures With Potential for Remote Sensing Applications
Authors: Xu Tao , Chen Xu , Li Qun , He Xiao , Wang Jing , Meng Jing
Published: December 2023

The inversion of remote sensing signatures of internal solitary waves (ISWs) can retrieve dynamic characteristics in the ocean interior. However, the presence of ubiquitous large‐amplitude ISWs poses challenges to the commonly used weakly nonlinear methods for parameter retrieval. Through laboratory experiments, we establish a relationship between surface features and internal characteristics of ISWs by the remote sensing imaging mechanism. The results demonstrate that strong nonlinearity significantly influences the retrieval of ISWs, primarily manifested in the calculation of wave‐induced velocities and the applicability of ISW solutions. A fully nonlinear model Dubreil–Jacotin–Long equation is used in the retrieval and has been tested under different conditions. Mooring observations indicate that the determination of ISW parameters from satellite images is affected by the complexity of in situ stratification, but additional remote sensing information such as surface velocities enables us to perform retrievals even if the real‐time measurement of pycnocline depth is not available.
Activation of prefrontal parvalbumin interneurons ameliorates working memory deficit even under clinically comparable antipsychotic treatment in a mouse model of schizophrenia
Authors: Arime Yosefu , Saitoh Yoshito , Ishikawa Mikiko , Kamiyoshihara Chikako , Uchida Yasuo , Fujii Kazuki , Takao Keizo , Akiyama Kazufumi , Ohkawa Noriaki
Published: December 2023

One of the critical unmet medical needs in schizophrenia is the treatment for cognitive deficits. However, the neural circuit mechanisms of them remain unresolved. Previous studies utilizing animal models of schizophrenia did not consider the fact that patients with schizophrenia generally cannot discontinue antipsychotic medication due to the high risk of relapse. Here, we used multi-dimensional approaches, including histological analysis of the prelimbic cortex (PL), LC-MS/MS-based in vivo dopamine D2 receptor occupancy analysis for antipsychotics, in vivo calcium imaging, and behavioral analyses of mice using chemogenetics to investigate neural mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies for working memory deficit in a chronic phencyclidine (PCP) mouse model of schizophrenia. Chronic PCP administration led to alterations in excitatory and inhibitory synapses, specifically in dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons, vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) positive terminals, and parvalbumin (PV) positive GABAergic interneurons located in layer 2–3 of the PL. Continuous administration of olanzapine, which achieved a sustained therapeutic window of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy (60–80%) in the striatum, did not ameliorate these synaptic abnormalities and working memory deficit in the chronic PCP-treated mice. We demonstrated that chemogenetic activation of PV neurons in the PL, as confirmed by in vivo calcium imaging, ameliorated working memory deficit in this model even under clinically comparable olanzapine treatment which by itself inhibited only PCP-induced psychomotor hyperactivity. Our study suggests that targeting prefrontal PV neurons could be a promising therapeutic intervention for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia in combination with antipsychotic medication.
Characterisation of FLT3 alterations in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Gutierrez-Camino Angela , Richer Chantal , Ouimet Manon , Fuchs Claire , Langlois Sylvie , Khater Fida , Caron Maxime , Beaulieu Patrick , St-Onge Pascal , Bataille Alain R. , Sinnett Daniel
Published: December 2023

Background

Alterations of FLT3 are among the most common driver events in acute leukaemia with important clinical implications, since it allows patient classification into prognostic groups and the possibility of personalising therapy thanks to the availability of FLT3 inhibitors. Most of the knowledge on FLT3 implications comes from the study of acute myeloid leukaemia and so far, few studies have been performed in other leukaemias.

Methods

A comprehensive genomic (DNA-seq in 267 patients) and transcriptomic (RNA-seq in 160 patients) analysis of FLT3 in 342 childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) patients was performed. Mutations were functionally characterised by in vitro experiments.

Results

Point mutations (PM) and internal tandem duplications (ITD) were detected in 4.3% and 2.7% of the patients, respectively. A new activating mutation of the TKD, G846D, conferred oncogenic properties and sorafenib resistance. Moreover, a novel alteration involving the circularisation of read-through transcripts (rt-circRNAs) was observed in 10% of the cases. Patients presenting FLT3 alterations exhibited higher levels of the receptor. In addition, patients with ZNF384- and MLL/KMT2A-rearranged ALL, as well as hyperdiploid subtype, overexpressed FLT3.

Discussion

Our results suggest that specific ALL subgroups may also benefit from a deeper understanding of the biology of FLT3 alterations and their clinical implications.
Identification of PCPE-2 as the endogenous specific inhibitor of human BMP-1/tolloid-like proteinases
Authors: Vadon-Le Goff Sandrine , Tessier Agnès , Napoli Manon , Dieryckx Cindy , Bauer Julien , Dussoyer Mélissa , Lagoutte Priscillia , Peyronnel Célian , Essayan Lucie , Kleiser Svenja , Tueni Nicole , Bettler Emmanuel , Mariano Natacha , Errazuriz-Cerda Elisabeth , Fruchart Gaillard Carole , Ruggiero Florence , Becker-Pauly Christoph , Allain Jean-Marc , Bruckner-Tuderman Leena , Nyström Alexander , Moali Catherine
Published: December 2023

BMP-1/tolloid-like proteinases (BTPs) are major players in tissue morphogenesis, growth and repair. They act by promoting the deposition of structural extracellular matrix proteins and by controlling the activity of matricellular proteins and TGF-β superfamily growth factors. They have also been implicated in several pathological conditions such as fibrosis, cancer, metabolic disorders and bone diseases. Despite this broad range of pathophysiological functions, the putative existence of a specific endogenous inhibitor capable of controlling their activities could never be confirmed. Here, we show that procollagen C-proteinase enhancer-2 (PCPE-2), a protein previously reported to bind fibrillar collagens and to promote their BTP-dependent maturation, is primarily a potent and specific inhibitor of BTPs which can counteract their proteolytic activities through direct binding. PCPE-2 therefore differs from the cognate PCPE-1 protein and extends the possibilities to fine-tune BTP activities, both in physiological conditions and in therapeutic settings.