bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review on the Applicability of Luminescent Phosphors and Effective Positioning in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells for Enhanced Performance and Stability
Authors: Muthu Senthilkumar , Gandhi Mano Balaji , Meenakshisundaram Sai Prasanna , Gandhi Saravana Kumar , Sridharan Moorthy Babu , Park Hui Joon
Published: September 2023

The narrow range of solar light absorption facilitated by the photoactive organic dyes has been restricting the significant development, and large‐scale applications of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The major problem that limits the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSC is the limitations of the organic dyes (light absorbers in DSSC) to absorb beyond the visible region of solar spectrum that resulting in lower PCE (≈13%) as compared with the commercialized technologies. Hence, the focus on developing efficient strategies to harvest the ultraviolet and infrared light regions of the solar spectrum and effective conversion into the absorption limit of dyes and thereby increasing the device performance and stability is the emerging technological development in DSSCs. Rare earth ion‐doped upconversion (UC) and downconversion (DC) phosphors are the most promising solutions for the prevalent issues of the liquid junction solar cells. This review will focus on the emerging strategies for the PCE enhancement of DSSC with UC and DC materials. An exclusive review on the facile approach of simultaneous usage of both the UC and DC phosphors and the effective positioning of these spectral conversion phosphors, to achieve highly stable DSSCs with superior PCE is provided.
Security‐based code smell definition, detection, and impact quantification in Android
Authors: Zhong Yi , Shi Mengyu , He Jiawei , Fang Chunrong , Chen Zhenyu
Published: September 2023

Android's high market share and extensive functionality make its security a significant concern. Research reveals that many security issues are caused by insecure coding practices. As a poor design indicator, code smell threatens the safety and quality assurance of Android applications (apps). Although previous works revealed specific problems associated with code smells, the field still lacks research reflecting Android features. Moreover, the cost and time limit developers to repairing numerous smells timely. We conducted a study, includingDefinition,Detection, andImpactQuantification for Android code smell (DefDIQ): (1) define 15 novel code smells in Android from a security programming perspective and provide suggestions on how to eliminate or mitigate them; (2) implement DACS (Detect Android Code Smell) to automatically detect the custom code smells based on ASTs; (3) investigate the correlation between individual smells with DACS detection results, select suitable code smells to construct fault counting models, then quantify their impact on quality, and thereby generating code smell repair priorities. We conducted experiments on 4575 open‐source apps, and the findings are: (i) Lin's CCC between DACS and manual detection results reaches 0.9994, verifying the validity; (ii) the fault counting model constructed by zero‐inflated negative binomial is superior to negative binomial (AIC = 517.32, BIC = 522.12); some smells do indicate fault‐proneness, and we identify such avoidable poor designs; (iii) different code smells have different levels of importance and the repair priorities constructed provide a practical guideline for researchers and inexperienced developers.
Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Common Buckwheat Starch in Response to Different Fertilization Levels
Authors: Lei Xinhui , Wan Chenxi , Tao Jincai , Wu Yixin , Wang Jiale , Yang Qinghua , Feng Baili , Gao Jinfeng
Published: September 2023

Buckwheat is a typical medicinal and edible crop with high nutritional value, and the application of appropriate fertilizer can improve the quality of buckwheat starch. The changes of internal structure and physicochemical characteristics of common buckwheat grain starch under low, medium, and high fertilization levels are investigated. With increasing fertilizer amount, the volume proportion is increased, while the granule size distribution is reduced significantly. All of the common buckwheat starch samples show a typical A‐type pattern in X‐ray diffraction detection. Furthermore, with the increase of fertilization level, the amylose content, retrogradation, and the ratio of 1045/1022 cm−1 reduce and then raise, but the relative crystallinity, the ratio of 1022/995 cm−1, light transmittance, solubility, and swelling power increase and then decrease. In comparison to other fertilization levels, common buckwheat starch at the medium level has greater pasting temperatures and gelatinization enthalpy but lower pasting viscosities. These results indicate the medium fertilization level of 180 (N), 115.2 (P), and 84.6 (K) kg h−1 m−2 is more suitable for buckwheat starch quality, which can give information for buckwheat cultivation.
The role of forensic science in the generation of intelligence to address environmental water contamination problems
Authors: Estoppey Nicolas , Pfeiffer Fabienne , Glanzmann Vick , Reymond Naomi , Tascon Ines , Huisman Sofie , Lacour William , Ribaux Olivier , Weyermann Céline
Published: September 2023

Water contamination is a growing concern in society. New environmental laws are being enacted to define intolerable human activities, and their enforcement is increasingly supported by forensic science. However, water contamination is a broader security issue that is not only caused by illegal human behavior. Risk‐based approaches are needed to prevent (re)occurrence of incidents and minimize their negative consequences. This can be achieved through the formalization of a monitoring process producing intelligence (i.e., actionable knowledge), crucial to detect recurring incidents, and guiding decision‐makers in their choice of preventive and responsive actions. In this perspective, forensic science has a key role to play in integrating vestiges from water‐contaminating activities (i.e., traces) in such a problem‐solving process. Information conveyed by traces allows detecting similarities among contamination events (i.e., patterns), inferring common causes, and better understanding of mechanisms and consequences of water contamination. The different stages of the process will be described and illustrated through a real case example. Current barriers to the implementation of such a process are then discussed, showing how systemic issues and complexity may prevent the establishment of links across contamination events, thus negatively impacting the generation of intelligence. To overcome these obstacles, we underline the importance to initiate local and size‐limited approaches by implementing relatively simple and flexible systems. New knowledge can be used to improve local situations and help stakeholders to understand the benefits of such a process; then, by a bottom‐up iterative learning process, the approach can be given a greater ambition at a larger scale.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Special Situations and Investigations

Crime Scene Investigation > From Traces to Intelligence and Evidence

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Forensic Food and Environment Analysis
Bismuth trihalide based coordination polymers with the N‐donor cyanopyridine as source for charge transfer based luminescence
Authors: Borysova Kateryna V. , Sorg Jens R. , Mikhalyova Elena A. , Oberst Katharina , Würtele Christian , Müller‐Buschbaum Klaus
Published: September 2023

Two one‐dimensional bismuth trihalide coordination polymers (CPs)
[BiCl3(4‐cypy)2]n and
BiBr3(4‐cypy)2]n were obtained by the solvent free melt approach in molten 4‐cyanopyridine under inert conditions and reduced pressure. The bismuth ions are surrounded by four halide atoms and two nitrogen atoms of the pyridyl ring of 4‐cypy in trans‐mode. The polymeric linkage of both CPs is achieved by halide‐bismuth interactions while the 4‐cyanopyridine ligands show π‐stacking interactions of their aromatic backbone. Both of compounds possess sufficiently intensive luminescence in the blue‐green region of the visible spectra upon cooling to 77 K following the trend of halide anion influence on the position of the emission band. Emission of these CPs arises from the contribution of two energy transfer mechanisms, MLCT from Bi3+ to ligand and LMCT from ligand to Bi3+, respectively.
Theoretical Aspects in Penalty Hyperparameters Optimization
Authors: Esposito Flavia , Selicato Laura , Sportelli Caterina
Published: September 2023

Learning processes play an important role in enhancing understanding and analyzing real phenomena. Most of these methodologies revolve around solving penalized optimization problems. A significant challenge arises in the choice of the penalty hyperparameter, which is typically user-specified or determined through Grid search approaches. There is a lack of automated tuning procedures for the estimation of these hyperparameters, particularly in unsupervised learning scenarios. In this paper, we focus on the unsupervised context and propose a bi-level strategy to address the issue of tuning the penalty hyperparameter. We establish suitable conditions for the existence of a minimizer in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, along with presenting some theoretical considerations. These results can be applied in situations where obtaining an exact minimizer is unfeasible. Working on the estimation of the hyperparameter with the gradient-based method, we also introduce a modified version of Ekeland’s principle as a stopping criterion for these methods. Our approach distinguishes from conventional techniques by reducing reliance on random or black-box strategies, resulting in stronger mathematical generalization.
Functions of the RIP kinase family members in the skin
Authors: Urwyler-Rösselet Corinne , Tanghe Giel , Devos Michael , Hulpiau Paco , Saeys Yvan , Declercq Wim
Published: September 2023

The receptor interacting protein kinases (RIPK) are a family of serine/threonine kinases that are involved in the integration of various stress signals. In response to several extracellular and/or intracellular stimuli, RIP kinases engage signaling cascades leading to the activation of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases, cell death, inflammation, differentiation and Wnt signaling and can have kinase-dependent and kinase-independent functions. Although it was previously suggested that seven RIPKs are part of the RIPK family, phylogenetic analysis indicates that there are only five genuine RIPKs. RIPK1 and RIPK3 are mainly involved in controlling and executing necroptosis in keratinocytes, while RIPK4 controls proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes and thereby can act as a tumor suppressor in skin. Therefore, in this review we summarize and discuss the functions of RIPKs in skin homeostasis as well as the signaling pathways involved.
TGFβ signaling links early life endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure to suppression of nucleotide excision repair in rat myometrial stem cells
Authors: Bariani Maria Victoria , Cui Yan-Hong , Ali Mohamed , Bai Tao , Grimm Sandra L. , Coarfa Cristian , Walker Cheryl L. , He Yu-Ying , Yang Qiwei , Al-Hendy Ayman
Published: September 2023

Environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is linked to the development of uterine fibroids (UFs) in women. UFs, non-cancerous tumors, are thought to originate from abnormal myometrial stem cells (MMSCs). Defective DNA repair capacity may contribute to the emergence of mutations that promote tumor growth. The multifunctional cytokine TGFβ1 is associated with UF progression and DNA damage repair pathways. To investigate the impact of EDC exposure on TGFβ1 and nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways, we isolated MMSCs from 5-month-old Eker rats exposed neonatally to diethylstilbestrol (DES), an EDC, or to vehicle (VEH). EDC-MMSCs exhibited overactivated TGFβ1 signaling and reduced mRNA and protein levels of NER pathway components compared to VEH-MMSCs. EDC-MMSCs also demonstrated impaired NER capacity. Exposing VEH-MMSCs to TGFβ1 decreased NER capacity while inhibiting TGFβ signaling in EDC-MMSCs restored it. RNA-seq analysis and further validation revealed decreased expression of Uvrag, a tumor suppressor gene involved in DNA damage recognition, in VEH-MMSCs treated with TGFβ1, but increased expression in EDC-MMSCs after TGFβ signaling inhibition. Overall, we demonstrated that the overactivation of the TGFβ pathway links early life exposure to EDCs with impaired NER capacity, which would lead to increased genetic instability, arise of mutations, and fibroid tumorigenesis. We demonstrated that the overactivation of the TGFβ pathway links early life exposure to EDCs with impaired NER capacity, which would lead to increased fibroid incidence.
Identification of sodium channel toxins from marine cone snails of the subgenera Textilia and Afonsoconus
Authors: McMahon Kirsten L. , O’Brien Henrik , Schroeder Christina I. , Deuis Jennifer R. , Venkatachalam Dhananjeyan , Huang Di , Green Brad R. , Bandyopadhyay Pradip K. , Li Qing , Yandell Mark , Safavi-Hemami Helena , Olivera Baldomero M. , Vetter Irina , Robinson Samuel D.
Published: September 2023

Voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels are transmembrane proteins that play a critical role in electrical signaling in the nervous system and other excitable tissues. µ-Conotoxins are peptide toxins from the venoms of marine cone snails (genus Conus) that block NaV channels with nanomolar potency. Most species of the subgenera Textilia and Afonsoconus are difficult to acquire; therefore, their venoms have yet to be comprehensively interrogated for µ-conotoxins. The goal of this study was to find new µ-conotoxins from species of the subgenera Textilia and Afonsoconus and investigate their selectivity at human NaV channels. Using RNA-seq of the venom gland of Conus (Textilia) bullatus, we identified 12 µ-conotoxin (or µ-conotoxin-like) sequences. Based on these sequences we designed primers which we used to identify additional µ-conotoxin sequences from DNA extracted from historical specimens of species from Textilia and Afonsoconus. We synthesized six of these µ-conotoxins and tested their activity on human NaV1.1–NaV1.8. Five of the six synthetic peptides were potent blockers of human NaV channels. Of these, two peptides (BuIIIB and BuIIIE) were potent blockers of hNaV1.3. Three of the peptides (BuIIIB, BuIIIE and AdIIIA) had submicromolar activity at hNaV1.7. This study serves as an example of the identification of new peptide toxins from historical DNA and provides new insights into structure–activity relationships of µ-conotoxins with activity at hNaV1.3 and hNaV1.7.
Classes of Kernels and Continuity Properties of the Double Layer Potential in Hölder Spaces
Authors: Lanza de Cristoforis Massimo
Published: September 2023

We prove the validity of regularizing properties of the boundary integral operator corresponding to the double layer potential associated to the fundamental solution of anonhomogeneoussecond order elliptic differential operator with constant coefficients in Hölder spaces by exploiting an estimate on the maximal function of the tangential gradient with respect to the first variable of the kernel of the double layer potential and by exploiting specific imbedding and multiplication properties in certain classes of kernels of integral operators and a generalization of a result for integral operators on differentiable manifolds.
Synthesis, in silico, and evaluation of AChE inhibitory activity of N-phthaloylphenylglycine derivatives as potential anti-Alzheimer’s agents
Authors: Andrade-Jorge Erik , Reyes-Vallejo Natalia , Contreras-Cruz David A. , Rivera-Sánchez Fernando , Rodríguez Jessica E. , Lagos-Cruz Jesús A. , Villalobos-Molina Rafael , Gallardo-Ortíz Itzell A. , Reyes-Ramírez Adelfo
Published: September 2023

Mental illnesses are one of the most relevant health problems today, among which Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stands out. This is a severe disease that entails different alterations such as chronic cognitive impairment. Commercial therapy drugs have not had the expected success due to their notable and rapid pharmacological efficacy reduction, therefore, we aimed to find new compounds capable of stopping the progression of this disease by cholinesterase inhibition. We synthesized and evaluated nine new racemic compounds (two precursors and their corresponding pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-ones with different substituents) derived from phenylglycine as potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Three of them (rac-4, rac-5, and rac-6) showed good enzyme inhibition (Ki 117.5, 90.62, and 77.30 µM, respectively), with a pattern of competitive inhibition type supported by in silico and in vitro experiments, being the rac-6 derivative the best inhibitor. The structural analysis showed that the presence of the ethyl ester group in the structure favors inhibition, likewise, the presence of double bonds increases the affinity of the inhibitor for the enzyme, so these new pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-ones derivatives might be helpful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Bergman projection and BMO in hyperbolic metric: improvement of classical result
Authors: Peláez José Ángel , Rättyä Jouni
Published: September 2023

The Bergman projection $$P_\alpha $$

P
α

, induced by a standard radial weight, is bounded and onto from $$L^\infty $$

L
∞

to the Bloch space $$\mathcal {B}$$
B
. However, $$P_\alpha : L^\infty \rightarrow \mathcal {B}$$

P
α

:

L
∞

→
B

is not a projection. This fact can be emended via the boundedness of the operator $$P_\alpha :\textrm{BMO}_2(\Delta )\rightarrow \mathcal {B}$$

P
α

:

BMO
2

(
Δ
)

→
B

, where $$\textrm{BMO}_2(\Delta )$$

BMO
2

(
Δ
)

is the space of functions of bounded mean oscillation in the Bergman metric. We consider the Bergman projection $$P_\omega $$

P
ω

and the space $$\textrm{BMO}_{\omega ,p}(\Delta )$$

BMO

ω
,
p

(
Δ
)

of functions of bounded mean oscillation induced by $$1<p<\infty $$

1
<
p
<
∞

and a radial weight $$\omega \in \mathcal {M}$$

ω
∈
M

. Here $$\mathcal {M}$$
M
is a wide class of radial weights defined by means of moments of the weight, and it contains the standard and the exponential-type weights. We describe the weights such that $$P_\omega :\textrm{BMO}_{\omega ,p}(\Delta )\rightarrow \mathcal {B}$$

P
ω

:

BMO

ω
,
p

(
Δ
)

→
B

is bounded. They coincide with the weights for which $$P_\omega : L^\infty \rightarrow \mathcal {B}$$

P
ω

:

L
∞

→
B

is bounded and onto. This result seems to be new even for the standard radial weights when $$p\ne 2$$

p
≠
2

.
Implementation of a Smartphone‐Based Platform for Operative Feedback at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Bidwell Serena S. , Gates Rebecca , Mwachiro Michael M. , Parker Andrea S. , Sylvester Kimutai , Sandhu Gurjit , George Brian C. , Kim Grace J. , Parker Robert K.
Published: September 2023

Background

The SIMPL operative feedback tool is used in many U.S. surgical residency programs. However, the challenges of implementation and benefits of the web‐based platform in low‐ and middle‐income countries are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate implementation of SIMPL in a general surgery residency training program in Kenya.

Methods

SIMPL was pilot tested at Tenwek Hospital from January through December 2021. Participant perspectives of SIMPL were elicited through a survey and semi‐structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data. Inductive qualitative content analysis of interview responses was performed by two independent researchers.

Results

Fourteen residents and six faculty (100% response rate) were included in the study and completed over 600 operative assessments. All respondents reported numerical evaluations and dictated feedback were useful. Respondents felt that SIMPL was easy to use, improved quality and frequency of feedback, helped refine surgical skills, and increased resident autonomy. Barriers to use included participants forgetting to complete evaluations, junior residents not submitting evaluations when minimally involved in cases, and technological challenges. Suggestions for improvement included expansion of SIMPL to surgical subspecialties and allowing senior residents to provide feedback to juniors. All respondents wanted to continue using SIMPL, and 90% recommended use at other programs.

Conclusion

Residents and faculty at Tenwek Hospital believed SIMPL were a positive addition to their training program. There were a few barriers to use and suggestions for improvement specific to the training environment in Kenya, but this study demonstrates it is feasible to use SIMPL in settings outside the U.S. with the appropriate resources.
CCDC50, an essential driver involved in tumorigenesis, is a potential severity marker of diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Authors: Gong Yuqi , Tong Hongyan , Yu Fang , Liu Qi , Huang Xianbo , Ren Guoping , Fan Zhongqin , Wang Zhe , Zhao Jing , Mao Zhengrong , Zhang Jing , Zhou Ren
Published: September 2023

Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of blood cancer. Among the subtypes, the activated B-cell (ABC) subtype is typically more aggressive and associated with worse outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we performed microarray analysis to identify potential ABC-DLBCL-associated genes. We employed Kaplan–Meier methods and cox univariate analysis to explore the prognostic value of the identified candidate gene Coiled-coil domain containing 50 (CCDC50). Additionally, we used DLBCL cell lines and mouse models to explore the functions and mechanisms of CCDC50. Finally, we isolated CCDC50-bearing exosomes from clinical patients to study the correlation between these exosomes and disease severity. Our results demonstrated that CCDC50 not only showed significantly positive correlations with ABC subtype, tumor stage and number of extranodal sites, but also suggested poor outcomes in DLBCL patients. We further found that CCDC50 promoted ABC-DLBCL proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CCDC50 inhibited ubiquitination-mediated c-Myc degradation by stimulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway. Moreover, CCDC50 expression was positively correlated with c-Myc at protein levels in DLBCL patients. Additionally, in two clinical cohorts, the plasma CCDC50-positive exosomes differentiated DLBCL subtypes robustly (AUC > 0.80) and predicted disease severity effectively (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that CCDC50 likely drives disease progression in ABC-DLBCL patients, and the CCDC50-bearing exosome holds great potential as a non-invasive biomarker for subtype diagnosis and prognosis prediction of DLBCL patients.
Low-dose liver CT: image quality and diagnostic accuracy of deep learning image reconstruction algorithm
Authors: Caruso Damiano , De Santis Domenico , Del Gaudio Antonella , Guido Gisella , Zerunian Marta , Polici Michela , Valanzuolo Daniela , Pugliese Dominga , Persechino Raffaello , Cremona Antonio , Barbato Luca , Caloisi Andrea , Iannicelli Elsa , Laghi Andrea
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To perform a comprehensive within-subject image quality analysis of abdominal CT examinations reconstructed with DLIR and to evaluate diagnostic accuracy compared to the routinely applied adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR-V) algorithm.

Materials and methods

Oncologic patients were prospectively enrolled and underwent contrast-enhanced CT. Images were reconstructed with DLIR with three intensity levels of reconstruction (high, medium, and low) and ASiR-V at strength levels from 10 to 100% with a 10% interval. Three radiologists characterized the lesions and two readers assessed diagnostic accuracy and calculated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), figure of merit (FOM), and subjective image quality, the latter with a 5-point Likert scale.

Results

Fifty patients (mean age: 70 ± 10 years, 23 men) were enrolled and 130 liver lesions (105 benign lesions, 25 metastases) were identified. DLIR_H achieved the highest SNR and CNR, comparable to ASiR-V 100% (p ≥ .051). DLIR_M returned the highest subjective image quality (score: 5; IQR: 4–5; p ≤ .001) and significant median increase (29%) in FOM (p < .001). Differences in detection were identified only for lesions ≤ 0.5 cm: 32/33 lesions were detected with DLIR_M and 26 lesions were detected with ASiR-V 50% (p = .031). Lesion accuracy of was 93.8% (95% CI: 88.1, 97.3; 122 of 130 lesions) for DLIR and 87.7% (95% CI: 80.8, 92.8; 114 of 130 lesions) for ASiR-V 50%.

Conclusions

DLIR yields superior image quality and provides higher diagnostic accuracy compared to ASiR-V in the assessment of hypovascular liver lesions, in particular for lesions ≤ 0.5 cm.

Clinical relevance statement

Deep learning image reconstruction algorithm demonstrates higher diagnostic accuracy compared to iterative reconstruction in the identification of hypovascular liver lesions, especially for lesions ≤ 0.5 cm.

Key Points

• Iterative reconstruction algorithm impacts image texture, with negative effects on diagnostic capabilities.

• Medium-strength deep learning image reconstruction algorithm outperforms iterative reconstruction in the diagnostic accuracy of ≤ 0.5 cm hypovascular liver lesions (93.9% vs 78.8%), also granting higher objective and subjective image quality.

• Deep learning image reconstruction algorithm can be safely implemented in routine abdominal CT protocols in place of iterative reconstruction.
Ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate elevates cardiac output through peripheral vasorelaxation and enhanced cardiac contractility
Authors: Homilius Casper , Seefeldt Jacob Marthinsen , Axelsen Julie Sørensen , Pedersen Tina Myhre , Sørensen Trine Monberg , Nielsen Roni , Wiggers Henrik , Hansen Jakob , Matchkov Vladimir V. , Bøtker Hans Erik , Boedtkjer Ebbe
Published: September 2023

The ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) increases cardiac output and myocardial perfusion without affecting blood pressure in humans, but the cardiovascular sites of action remain obscure. Here, we test the hypothesis in rats that 3-OHB acts directly on the heart to increase cardiac contractility and directly on blood vessels to lower systemic vascular resistance. We investigate effects of 3-OHB on (a) in vivo hemodynamics using echocardiography and invasive blood pressure measurements, (b) isolated perfused hearts in Langendorff systems, and (c) isolated arteries and veins in isometric myographs. We compare Na-3-OHB to equimolar NaCl added to physiological buffers or injection solutions. At plasma concentrations of 2–4 mM in vivo, 3-OHB increases cardiac output (by 28.3±7.8%), stroke volume (by 22.4±6.0%), left ventricular ejection fraction (by 13.3±4.6%), and arterial dP/dtmax (by 31.9±11.2%) and lowers systemic vascular resistance (by 30.6±11.2%) without substantially affecting heart rate or blood pressure. Applied to isolated perfused hearts at 3–10 mM, 3-OHB increases left ventricular developed pressure by up to 26.3±7.4 mmHg and coronary perfusion by up to 20.2±9.5%. Beginning at 1–3 mM, 3-OHB relaxes isolated coronary (EC50=12.4 mM), cerebral, femoral, mesenteric, and renal arteries as well as brachial, femoral, and mesenteric veins by up to 60% of pre-contraction within the pathophysiological concentration range. Of the two enantiomers that constitute racemic 3-OHB, D-3-OHB dominates endogenously; but tested separately, the enantiomers induce similar vasorelaxation. We conclude that increased cardiac contractility and generalized systemic vasorelaxation can explain the elevated cardiac output during 3-OHB administration. These actions strengthen the therapeutic rationale for 3-OHB in heart failure management.
Association between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and offspring’s outcomes at 9 to 15 years of age
Authors: Lichtwald Alexander , Weiss Cathérine , Lange Anja , Ittermann Till , Allenberg Heike , Grabe Hans J. , Heckmann Matthias
Published: September 2023

Objective

Maternal pre-pregnancy underweight, overweight and obesity might increase the risk for worse short- and long-term outcome in the offspring. There is a need for further study into the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the combined outcome of physical development, state of health and social behavior in children. Question: Is maternal pre-pregnancy BMI associated with the child outcome in terms of physical development, state of health and social behavior (school and leisure time behavior) at the age of 9 to 15 years?

Methods

In the population-based birth cohort study Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNIP) children at the age 9–15 years and their families were re-examined by questionnaire-based follow-up. 5725 mother–child pairs were invited to SNiP-follow-up. This analysis is based on the recall fraction of 24.1% (n = 1379). Based on the maternal pre-pregnancy BMI (ppBMI), 4 groups were formed: underweight (ppBMI < 19 kg/m2, n = 117), normal weight (ppBMI 19–24.99 kg/m2, n = 913, reference), overweight (ppBMI 25–30 kg). /m2, n = 237) and obesity (ppBMI > 30 kg/m2, n = 109).

Results

In the multiple regression model, the BMI-z-score for children of mothers in the underweight group was −0.50 lower, and 0.50/1.07 higher in the overweight/obese group (p < 0.001) compared to reference at median age of 12 years. No differences were found in children of underweight mothers with regard to social behavior (interaction with friends and family), school and sports performance (coded from “very good” to “poor”), other leisure activities (watching television, using mobile phones, gaming), and health (occurrence of illnesses) compared to children of normal weight mothers. In contrast, maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity were associated with lower school and sports performance, and higher screen time (smart phone, gaming, television) compared to children of normal weight mothers.

Conclusion

Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity but not underweight was negatively associated with school performance and leisure time behavior in the offspring at 9–15 years of age.
Intrinsic neural network dynamics underlying the ability to down-regulate emotions in male perpetrators of intimate partner violence against women
Authors: Amaoui Sofia , Marín-Morales Agar , Martín-Pérez Cristina , Pérez-García Miguel , Verdejo-Román Juan , Morawetz Carmen
Published: September 2023

Research has pointed to difficulties in emotion regulation as a risk factor for perpetrating intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW). While efforts have been made to understand the brain mechanisms underlying emotion regulation strategies such as reappraisal, little is known about the intrinsic neural dynamics supporting this strategy in male perpetrators. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to characterise the network dynamics underlying reappraisal. Spectral dynamic causal modelling was performed to examine the effective connectivity (EC) within a predefined reappraisal-related brain network. 26 men convicted for an IPVAW crime [male perpetrators] were compared to 29 men convicted of other crimes [other offenders] and 29 men with no criminal records [non-offenders]. The ability to down-regulate emotions in response to IPVAW stimuli was used as a covariate to explore its association with male perpetrators' EC. The analysis revealed that (1) compared to non-offenders, both convicted groups exhibited increased EC within prefrontal areas, enhanced EC from prefrontal to temporoparietal regions and decreased EC in the opposite direction; (2) male perpetrators compared to other offenders showed increased EC from temporoparietal to prefrontal regions and, increased EC from the supplementary motor area to frontal areas; (3) connections involving dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were found to be potential predictors of the ability to down-regulate emotions. The study provides a deeper characterisation of the brain architecture of the processes that underlie IPVAW. This knowledge could inform the work of adaptive emotion regulation strategies in intervention programmes for male perpetrators in order to reduce the high recidivism rates.
Maximum Matchings in Geometric Intersection Graphs
Authors: Bonnet Édouard , Cabello Sergio , Mulzer Wolfgang
Published: September 2023

LetGbe an intersection graph ofngeometric objects in the plane. We show that a maximum matching inGcan be found in$$O\hspace{0.33325pt}(\rho ^{3\omega /2}n^{\omega /2})$$O(ρ3ω/2nω/2)time with high probability, where$$\rho $$ρis the density of the geometric objects and$$\omega >2$$ω>2is a constant such that$$n\times n$$n×nmatrices can be multiplied in$$O(n^\omega )$$O(nω)time. The same result holds for any subgraph of G, as long as a geometric representation is at hand. For this, we combine algebraic methods, namely computing the rank of a matrix via Gaussian elimination, with the fact that geometric intersection graphs have small separators. We also show that in many interesting cases, the maximum matching problem in a general geometric intersection graph can be reduced to the case of bounded density. In particular, a maximum matching in the intersection graph of any family of translates of a convex object in the plane can be found in$$O(n^{\omega /2})$$O(nω/2)time with high probability, and a maximum matching in the intersection graph of a family of planar disks with radii in$$[1, \Psi ]$$[1,Ψ]can be found in$$O\hspace{0.33325pt}(\Psi ^6\log ^{11}\hspace{-0.55542pt}n + \Psi ^{12 \omega } n^{\omega /2})$$O(Ψ6log11n+Ψ12ωnω/2)time with high probability.
Analyzing cultural relationships visual cues through deep learning models in a cross-dataset setting
Authors: Stacchio Lorenzo , Angeli Alessia , Lisanti Giuseppe , Marfia Gustavo
Published: September 2023

To study the evolution of specific cultures and times different kinds of pictures could be adopted. Family album photos may reveal socio-historical insights regarding those specific cultures and times. Along this path, this work addresses the problem of automatically dating an image by resorting to the analysis of an analog family album photo dataset. In particular, the IMAGO collection, which contains Italian photos shot in the 20th century, was considered. Thanks to the IMAGO dataset, it was possible to apply different deep learning-based architectures to date images belonging to photo albums without needing any other sources of information. In addition, we carried out cross-dataset experiments, which also involved models trained on American datasets, observing temporal shifts which may be due to known intercultural influences. We further explore such a possibility by qualitatively analyzing the cross-dataset interpretation of the trained deep-learning models with the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) algorithm. In conclusion, deep learning models revealed their potential in terms of possible applications to intercultural research, from different points of view.
IoT-based intelligent waste management system
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed M. , Hassanien Ehab , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: September 2023

Recently, the population density in cities has increased at a higher pace, so waste generation is on the rise in most societies due to population growth. Given this concern, it would be highly important to manage waste generation. Intelligent city planning is necessary to improve the quality of city life and make cities more livable. This paper presents an intelligent waste management system (IWMS) in smart cities based on Internet of Things components like sensors, detectors, and actuators. IWMS contains three main phases. The first phase of the system is to adapt the low energy adaptive clustering hierarchy approach as an optimization process to better balance the energy consumption of smart waste bins (SBs), thus leading to extending the life of the smart waste network. The second phase is handling the missing values which are retrieved from SBs using an improved version of the k-nearest neighbor algorithm based on artificial hummingbird optimization (AHA), while the third phase presents an optimal energy-efficient route process for the routing of waste trucks that improves fuel efficiency and reduces the time to get an appropriate SB. According to the experimental results, the proposed system has achieved energy savings of 34% for the smart waste bin network. Moreover, compared to other systems, it has a lower mean error rate when generating missing values, and the results related to convergence and running time validate its superiority compared with other metaheuristic algorithms.
Approaching the Ultimate Limit in Measurement Precision with RASER NMR
Authors: Fleischer Simon , Lehmkuhl Sören , Lohmann Lars , Appelt Stephan
Published: September 2023

Radio-frequency Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (RASER) is a promising tool to study nonlinear phenomena or measure NMR parameters with unprecedented precision. Magnetic fields, J-couplings, and chemical shifts can be recorded over long periods of time without the need for radiofrequency excitation and signal averaging. One key feature of RASER NMR spectroscopy is the improvement in precision, which grows with the measurement time $$T_{{\text{m}}}^{3/2}$$

T

m

3
/
2

, unlike conventional NMR spectroscopy, where the precision increases with $$T_{{\text{m}}}^{1/2}$$

T

m

1
/
2

. However, when detecting NMR signals over minutes to hours, using available NMR magnets (ppb homogeneity), the achieved frequency resolution will eventually be limited by magnetic field fluctuations. Here, we demonstrate that full compensation is possible even for open low-field electromagnets, where magnetic field fluctuations are intrinsically present (in the ppm regime). A prerequisite for compensation is that the spectrum contains at least one isolated RASER line to be used as a reference, and the sample experiences exclusively common magnetic field fluctuations, that is, ones that are equal over the entire sample volume. We discuss the current limits of precision for RASER NMR measurements for two different cases: The single-compartment RASER involving J-coupled modes, and the two-compartment RASER involving chemically shifted species. In the first case, the limit of measurable difference approaches the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB), achieving a measurement precision $${\sigma }_{f}<{10}^{-4}$$

σ
f

<

10

-
4

Hz. In the second case, the measured chemical shift separation is plagued by independently fluctuating distant dipolar fields (DDF). The measured independent field fluctuation between the two chambers is in the order of tens of mHz. In both cases, new limits of precision are achieved, which paves the way for sub-mHz detection of NMR parameters, rotational rates, and non-linear phenomena such as chaos and synchrony.
Assessing the potential of low-transmissivity aquifers for aquifer thermal energy storage systems: a case study in Flanders (Belgium)
Authors: Tas Luka , Simpson David , Hermans Thomas
Published: September 2023

The Member States of the European Union pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80–95% by 2050. Shallow geothermal systems might substantially contribute by providing heating and cooling in a sustainable way through seasonally storing heat and cold in the shallow ground (<200 m). When the minimum yield associated with the installation of a cost-effective aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system cannot be met, borehole thermal energy storage, relying mostly on the thermal conductivity of the ground, is proposed. However, for large-scale applications, this requires the installation of hundreds of boreholes, which entails a large cost and high disturbance of the underground. In such cases, ATES systems can nevertheless become interesting. This paper presents a case study performed on a Ghent University campus (Belgium), where the feasibility of ATES in an area with a low transmissivity was determined. The maximum yield of the aquifer was estimated at 5 m3/h through pumping tests. Although this low yield was attributed to the fine grain size of the aquifer, membrane filtering index tests and long-term injection tests revealed that the clogging risk was limited. A groundwater model was used to optimize the well placement. It was shown that a well arrangement in a checkerboard pattern was most effective to optimize the hydraulic efficiency while maintaining the thermal recovery efficiency of the ATES system. Hence, for large-scale projects, efficient thermal energy storage can also be achieved using a (more cost-effective) ATES system even in low-permeability sediments.
Physiological responses to the virtual reality-based Trier social stress test in patients with psychosis
Authors: Lee Bo Mi , Kang Chae Yeong , Li Ling , Rami Fatima Zahra , Chung Young-Chul
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The Trier social stress test (TSST) is one of the most reliable and widely used laboratory tests for evaluating the physiological stress response. We developed a virtual reality-based TSST (VR-TSST) and investigated the physiological responses to this test in patients with psychosis and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods

The participants comprised 60 patients with psychosis and 66 HCs. The VR-TSST consisted of three scenarios: a resting phase (baseline; 2 min), a job interview (5 min), and a mental arithmetic task (5 min). Blood cortisol levels were measured at baseline, during the test, and at 5–10 min and 30 min after the test. The skin conductance level, heart rate, and RR intervals were measured at baseline, during the job interview, and during the arithmetic task.

Results

The VR-TSST produced no discernible cortisol response in patients with psychosis compared to the HCs. However, a higher skin conductance level and heart rate and shorter RR intervals were found in the patients than in the HCs at baseline, during the job interview, and during the arithmetic task.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the current version of the VR-TSST induces stronger autonomic and cardiovascular, but not endocrine, responses in patients with psychosis than in HCs. The VR-TSST could be a valuable tool to evaluate or train the stress response in patients with psychosis.
Impact of sustainable tax revenue and expenditure on the achievement of sustainable development goals in some selected African countries
Authors: Ajeigbe Kola Benson , Ganda Fortune , Enowkenwa Rawlings Obenembot
Published: September 2023

The study examined the impact of Sustainable Tax Revenue and Expenditure on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in African countries using secondary data. The dataset was extracted from the World Development Indicators database. The large gap between developed and developing countries when comparing the probability of them achieving the SDGs was the main motivation behind this study. Data retrieved from 45 countries comprised of both African and developed countries for the period 2010–2020 was analyzed using the Generalized Method of Moments technique. The results revealed that the coefficients of grants received, various forms of taxes, and other revenue have a positive effect on economic growth but a negative effect on poverty and unemployment for African and developed countries. This finding suggests that improvements in tax revenue generation, grants and other revenue accumulation across different sources boost economic performance and the welfare of individuals in the analyzed countries. The outcome is an indication that accumulating more grants from different sources will help to achieve sustainable development, improve financial stability, contributes to the economic growth and development in these countries. This study can guide policymakers, governments, international institutions, revenue bodies such as SARS and other stakeholders in their various planning and other decision-making endeavors. Governments and other policymakers must ensure the efficient generation and sustainable utilization of revenue generated from taxes and other revenues to spur the growth and development of their countries. They should have Growth-Sustainability-Oriented Fiscal Adjustment Programs and Sustainable Government Expenditure that can help push and redirect governments to achieve the SDGs in Africa.
A thermosensitive gel matrix for bioreactor-assisted in-cell NMR of nucleic acids and proteins
Authors: Dzurov Matej , Pospíšilová Šárka , Krafčíková Michaela , Trantírek Lukáš , Vojtová Lucy , Ryneš Jan
Published: September 2023

Introducing the flow through the bioreactor has revolutionized in-cell NMR spectroscopy by prolonging the measurement time available to acquire spectral information about biomacromolecules in metabolically active cells. Bioreactor technology relies on immobilizer matrices, which secure cells in the active volume of the NMR coil and enable uniform perfusion of the growth medium, supplying fresh nutrients to the cells while removing toxic byproducts of their metabolism. The main drawbacks of commonly used matrices include the inability to recover intact cells post-measurement for additional analyses and/or requirements for specific operating temperatures. Here, we report on the development and characterization of a set of thermosensitive and nontoxic triblock copolymers based on poly(D,L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA-PEG-PLA). Here, we show for the first time that these copolymers are suitable as immobilizer matrices for the acquisition of in-cell NMR spectra of nucleic acids and proteins over a commonly used sample temperature range of 15–40 °C and, importantly, allow recovery of cells after completion of in-cell NMR spectra acquisition. We compared the performances of currently used matrices in terms of cell viability (dye exclusion assays), cellular metabolism (1D 31P NMR), and quality of in-cell NMR spectra of two model biomacromolecules (hybrid double-stranded/i-motif DNA and ubiquitin). Our results demonstrate the suitability and advantages of PLA-PEG-PLA copolymers for application in bioreactor-assisted in-cell NMR.
Coproducing Wellbeing Policy: A Theory of Thriving in Financial Hardship
Authors: Fabian Mark , Alexandrova Anna , Nair Yamini Cinamon
Published: September 2023

We describe a replicable process for coproducing a theory of ‘thriving’, or more broadly ‘wellbeing’, in partnership with stakeholders to inform an area of policy. Coproduction promotes effectiveness, practicality, and legitimacy of wellbeing policies by combining insights from people with lived experience of that policy, the practitioners who implement it, and technical experts with relevant area specific knowledge. We illustrate our methodology using a case study of a coproduction exercise between wellbeing researchers and practitioners and users of Turn2us, a UK-based anti-poverty charity. We report both the process developed for this collaboration and the bespoke theory and measures of thriving in financial hardship that emerged from it. We emphasise the interplay between different types of inputs: quantitative and qualitative data, academic theories of wellbeing and lived experience, and formal and informal insights. Our experience demonstrates the value of contextualising wellbeing for practical contexts, serving as an important complement to top-down approaches relying on standardised theories and metrics.