bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bulevirtide in Chronic Hepatitis D Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation Results From a French Multicentric Retrospective Study
Authors: Meszaros Magdalena , Hilleret Marie‐Noëlle , Dumortier Jérôme , D'Alteroche Louis , Abergel Armand , Latournerie Marianne , Antonini Teresa , Conti Filomena , Borentain Patrick , Dharancy Sébastien , Pageaux Georges‐Philippe
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims

The impact of bulevirtide in patients awaiting liver transplantation (LT) for decompensated liver disease and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. We assessed clinical, virological, and biochemical responses to bulevirtide in patients with chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) awaiting LT and compared outcomes with a cohort of similar untreated patients.

Methods

Consecutive HDV‐infected patients waiting for LT since bulevirtide approval were included. Patients receiving 2 mg of bulevirtide daily had clinical, biological, and virological data collected at baseline, Week 24, Week 48, at LT, and post‐LT. Patients not receiving bulevirtide had data collected at baseline, LT, and post‐LT for comparison.

Results

Forty‐one patients from nine LT centers were included. In the bulevirtide group (20 patients; mean age 52.8 ± 9.98 years; 75% male), 65%, 10% and 25% were Child‐Pugh A, B and C, respectively. Fifteen completed 48 weeks of therapy. At 48 weeks, median HDV RNA decreased by 2.56 log IU/mL (p = 0.004). Virological and biochemical responses were obtained in 73.3% and 66.6% of patients. Twelve patients (60%) underwent LT. No serious adverse events occurred. Bulevirtide improved liver function, enabling one (7.1%) HCC patient to undergo chemoembolization while on the WL and leading to delisting of three (15%) other patients. In untreated patients (mean age 42.9 ± 7.9 years; 76.2% Child‐Pugh C), none were delisted. Three‐month transplant‐free survival was 76.9% in the bulevirtide group versus 36.7% (p = 0.007) in the control group.

Conclusions

Bulevirtide demonstrates safety and efficacy in HDV‐infected patients listed on the LT waiting list and may potentially improve pre‐transplant outcomes.
Weight gain, obesity, and the impact of lifestyle factors among people living with HIV: A systematic review
Authors: Gilberti Giulia , Tiecco Giorgio , Marconi Silvia , Marullo Monica , Zanini Barbara , Quiros‐Roldan Eugenia
Published: February 2025

HIV remains a significant health concern, but the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed it into a manageable chronic condition. However, weight gain and obesity pose a substantial challenge for people living with HIV (PLWH). Moreover, the role of lifestyle has not yet been comprehensively investigated. This review aims to provide an updated perspective on the role of lifestyle factors in weight gain and obesity among PLWH. A systematic search was conducted on Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov according to PRISMA guidelines. Overall, 378 articles were identified, of which 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. No article comprehensively addressed all lifestyle factors, and only 8 (36.4%) evaluated 3 or more factors. Addictions (72.7%), food (34.4%), and physical activity (31.8%) were the most analyzed aspects. An absence of concordance was identified among the articles concerning the timing of assessments, methodologies employed in surveys, and the operational definitions utilized for “weight gain,” “overweight,” and “obesity.” Weight gain in PLWH represents a complex phenomenon necessitating a holistic approach to promote well‐being in this vulnerable population.
Wittgenstein and Waismann's open texture
Authors: Ben‐Yami Hanoch
Published: February 2025

I track the origin in Wittgenstein's work of Waismann's concept of open texture and compare their related ideas. Although Waismann published his work on open texture before the publication of Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations, he had access to drafts of that work and to other writings of Wittgenstein and heard him present related ideas. A key example of his is closely derived from Wittgenstein's work. We shall see advantages of Wittgenstein's ideas over Waismann's. Waismann does not satisfactorily distinguish semantic from epistemic points; he seems to think that drawing boundaries is done only by definitions; he unjustly sees open texture as the possibility of vagueness, which he problematically conceives as a fluctuating use of a word, and more. In all these respects, Wittgenstein is more precise in his characterisation of the idea. Accordingly, we better follow Wittgenstein in our use of the concept of open texture.
GOUTERMAN – A module for simulations of tetrapyrrole optical spectra
Authors: Du Hai , Taniguchi Masahiko , Diers James R. , Kirmaier Christine , Bocian David F. , Lindsey Jonathan S. , Holten Dewey
Published: February 2025

Tetrapyrrole macrocycles comprise the pigments of life (heme, chlorophylls, etc.) and together with synthetic analogues also find wide use in materials chemistry and the life sciences. The distinct colors of the various macrocycles are essential features. A time‐honored approach for understanding the electronic spectra entails analyzing the impact of molecular composition on the relative energies of the four frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) of these 18‐π annulenes. While first introduced by Prof. Martin Gouterman in 1959, use of the four‐orbital model has been largely conceptual. Here, a computational module (GOUTERMAN) is introduced that takes as input the energies of the four MOs, provides user control over key parameters (configuration‐interaction energies, dipole strengths, spectral widths), and outputs simulated absorption spectra. The energies of the MOs can be calculated independently (e.g., from density functional theory) or drawn from a small database that is provided. The MO energies and key parameters can be toggled and spectral changes viewed. The GOUTERMAN module is available in PhotochemCAD as a tool for both specialists and non‐specialists to visualize, via hands‐on experience, the connections between the structural and spectral properties of the tetrapyrrole chromophores found ubiquitously in Nature and used widely in research.
Tracking acetylcholinesterase inhibitor pesticides in the environment using the rapid transient of chlorophyll fluorescence
Authors: López Valiño Ivana , Dieguez Gaviola Gonzalo , Diz Virginia Emilse , González Graciela Alicia , Lagorio María Gabriela , Cordon Gabriela Beatriz
Published: February 2025

Several home pesticides are organophosphorus compounds. These compounds inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, causing harmful effects on the health of biota. Through this research, the usefulness of Glycine max (soybean) and Cichorium intybus (chicory) plants as sentinels of organophosphorus compounds in the environment was successfully tested. Different concentrations of the insecticide chlorpyrifos were tried out. Damage to plants at the photosynthetic apparatus level was evaluated by measuring the high temporal resolution variable chlorophyll fluorescence (OJIP test). Several parameters derived from this test indicated a high level of damage in both species even at the mean dose recommended for use in the field. However, a few parameters did not consistently reflect damage in leaves. A drop in the values of the maximum fluorescence (FM), the quantum yield of electron transport flux, transport between quinones A and B (ET0/ABS) and the maximal quantum yield of PSII (TR0/ABS) could alert us about the presence of organophosphates in the environment. An increase in the dissipated energy flux per reaction center (DI0/RC) values was also observed. The species showed different sensitivities, with soybean plants being the most sensitive. The OJIP transient thus becomes a valuable rapid, non‐destructive tool for biomonitoring this class of pesticides in the environment.
State of knowledge on the effectiveness of management interventions to restore degraded eucalypt woodlands
Authors: Franklin Michael J. M. , Gorrod Emma J. , White Laura A. , Oliver Ian , Rymer Paul D. , Nielsen Uffe N.
Published: February 2025

To support the persistence of Australian eucalypt woodlands, conservation of remnant vegetation must be augmented with ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems. Certainty about the effectiveness of restoration interventions is urgently required to consistently transition degraded woodlands to reference states. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to quantify the effectiveness of restoration interventions to improve plant and edaphic attributes in degraded temperate and semiarid woodlands of Australia. Our structured literature search retrieved 35 studies that were suitable for analysis, which enabled assessment of six types of restoration interventions and 11 ecosystem response metrics. Effectiveness was quantified using estimates of the probability and magnitude of responses generated from Bayesian multi‐level models. We found consistent increases with varying average levels for carbon (via sugar) addition (43%) and burning (27%) on native plants, burning on cryptogams (91%), and woody debris addition on soil moisture (35%) and carbon (21%). Native plants had a low probability of benefitting from slashing (0.33) or herbicide application (0.09). Slashing had a high probability of increasing introduced plants (0.83). Planting almost always failed to achieve reference levels for native plant communities, introduced plants, or soil phosphorus. A very high level of uncertainty was evident for the outcomes of herbicide and sugar addition on introduced plants. Overall, we found a paucity of adequate studies, including insufficient quantitative information on combinations of interventions, and a lack of effectiveness in common interventions. Our results indicate an urgent need for experiments to be embedded in restoration programs to improve certainty in restoration effectiveness.
The Gender Agenda's Agenda: How “Tabloid Media Sensationalist Scumbag[s]” Mobilize Affect to Promote Transphobia
Authors: Desjardins Bridgette , Hepburn Taryn
Published: February 2025

In 2023, Australia's 7NEWS Spotlight released The Gender Agenda, a documentary that purportedly, “[uncovers] the irreparable damage being visited on a generation of confused kids wrongly diagnosed as transgender.” Using critical discourse analysis and affect theory, we analyze the documentary's argumentative strategies. We conclude that in the absence of compelling factual evidence, Spotlight uses emotion to convince audiences to distrust gender transition, sowing fear to orient cisgender audiences away from trans populations. Spotlight mobilizes hostile affects when condemning Australia's affirmative healthcare model, implicitly encouraging audiences to orient themselves away from trans‐inclusive policies and contest the affirmative care model. By analyzing how The Gender Agenda produces fear, we demonstrate how anti‐trans sentiment is created and disseminated. Additionally, we link transphobic activism in Australia to the broader conservative turn sweeping the West.
Determining properties of human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes using spatially resolved electromechanical metrics
Authors: Jæger Karoline Horgmo , Charwat Verena , Healy Kevin E. , Wall Samuel , Tveito Aslak
Published: February 2025

Human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) are increasingly important in preclinical drug assessments, particularly for identifying potential cardiotoxicity. In this study, we utilize data from microphysiological systems of hiPSC‐CMs to evaluate cellular characteristics, such as action potential duration, beat rate, conduction velocity and mechanical displacement. Based on these data, high‐fidelity mathematical models facilitate precise assessments of critical biophysical parameters of the cells, including membrane ion channel conductances, cross‐bridge cycle transition rates and cell‐to‐cell conductance. We emphasize the distinction between synchronized transients and travelling waves, highlighting their implications for deducing the biophysical properties of hiPSC‐CMs. In this study, we analyse the effects of the drug compounds flecainide, quinidine, nifedipine, verapamil, blebbistatin and omecamtiv. Our findings show that for drug‐induced changes in parameters describing membrane currents and contractile machinery close to ranges reported in the literature, the computed biomarkers align well with measured biomarkers. This study is the first to apply spatially resolved, cell‐based models to identify drug effects through measurements of transmembrane potential and mechanical displacement, marking a significant step forward in using computational models for evaluating drug safety and offering a new approach to early identification of adverse drug reactions.

image

Key points

Optical measurements of human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) present significant opportunities to advance understanding of how human heart cells function and interact.

Although direct optical measurements yield valuable biomarkers, they fall short of revealing underlying biophysical properties, for example, how novel drug compounds perturb the ion channels.

Drug properties are best understood through computational models that capture cell dynamics based on physical laws.

Traditionally, data and models have been averaged over all cells in cell collections, thus overlooking spatiotemporal waves.

Here, we use recently developed cell‐based models, representing spatial dynamics including cell‐to‐cell electrical and mechanical coupling, to determine biophysical properties of collections of hiPSC‐CMs.
Study on the safety performance parameters of lithium-ion batteries under unconventional extrusion conditions
Authors: Zheng Suzhen , Du Jianhua , Ou Yingjie , Xiong Leji , Wang Jiabin , He Xingfeng , Wei Senrong , Wang Canxiong , Hao Xin , Tu Ran
Published: February 2025

The safety issues of lithium-ion batteries under mechanical abuse conditions have earned widespread attention due to their high uncertainty and risk. In this paper, extrusion tests were conducted on 10Ah pouch cells, with different indenter shapes, loading locations, and state of charge (SOC). The voltage changes, temperature changes during the loading process, and microscopic structural changes of the cell electrodes after extrusion tests were analyzed to investigate the impact of different test conditions on the safety performance parameters of the cells. The tests included various random and unconventional locations that cannot be achieved under standard experimental conditions for lithium-ion batteries, better simulating the random collisions that lithium-ion batteries may experience in real-world scenarios. The results show that a sharp indenter induces earlier internal short circuits in the cells compared to a blunt indenter, leading to more severe thermal runaway reactions. Higher SOC are associated with faster average temperature rise rates, increased risk of thermal runaway, and more pronounced voltage drops at the moment of internal short circuits. The research results provide theoretical insights into the failure mechanisms of cells under mechanical abuse and offer valuable guidance for improving cell safety design.
Analysis of Friction and Wear Behavior of Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) for Application in Subsea Valves
Authors: Ahmadli Mehman , Gjersvik Tor Berge , Sangesland Sigbjorn , Ratnayake R.M. Chandima
Published: February 2025

The subsea valve system is a key part of the subsea control system (SCS), which maintains the reliability of the subsea production system (SPS). With its current state, subsea valve systems cannot cope with the requirements to transition to the all-electric system (AES) and application of the SPS to deep- and ultra-deep-water locations. The primary reason is related to the limitations of the currently used coating material of subsea valve internals, tungsten carbide (WC), in terms of high operating pressures, sand production, and efficiency. With its expected low friction and high wear resistance, polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) material is offered to replace WC as a top contact material in subsea valves. For this objective, PDC material's friction and wear behavior are investigated experimentally. The experimental section of the research involves tests with a reciprocating pin-on-flat tribometer, surface roughness measurements, and microscopical analysis of wear. Alongside PDC material, WC material is exposed to the same test process and conditions throughout the research for comparative analysis. The results show that comparing WC material in dry conditions, PDC material offers 61% friction reduction and 99.5% wear reduction; in lubricated conditions, it offers 40% friction reduction and 58% wear reduction. The findings highlight the potential impacts of this study on minimizing power usage for hydraulic and electric subsea actuators which consequently contributes to the reliability of the SCS and fills the existing research gap.
Model tests on stability of interlocking L-shaped caisson quay wall on sand
Authors: Chen Shuli , Guo Wei , Ren Yuxiao , Chen Wei
Published: February 2025

An interlocking L-shaped caisson (ILC) quay wall was proposed to improve the integrity of the caisson units by modifying the cross-sectional of the conventional L-shaped caisson (CLC) with two walls at its edge, shaped like a half hexagonal prism. A series of model tests were constructed to investigate the lateral stabilities of the proposed ILC quay wall by comparing to those of CLC quay wall. Compared to the CLC quay wall, it was found that the critical bearing capacities of the ILC quay wall pinned by concrete blocks increased by 13% under strip load. The ILC quay wall demonstrates better structural integrity and load-bearing capacity. The plane strain method used in CLC quay wall design under concentrated loads overestimate the critical bearing capacity of the quay wall by approximately 47%. The lateral earth pressure on caisson sidewall calculated using a modified Beton's method aligns closely with the average measured data. However, it underestimates the estimated value at a depth of 0.6 times the caisson height under concentrated loading.
Wear reliability assessment of piston ring and cylinder liner components based on probability mapping
Authors: Guo Peijian , Xu Jiujun , Yan Zhijun , Huang Ruoxuan
Published: February 2025

The wear reliability assessment plays a critical role in evaluating product quality for piston ring-cylinder liner (PRCL) components. In practice, the wear data of components is discrete and sparse, which makes it difficult to evaluate the wear reliability of PRCL components. However, the sample's wear data can effectively compensate for the shortcomings of the component's wear data. A pressing issue in engineering applications is how to effectively assess the wear reliability of PRCL components by making the most of the wear data of samples and components and quantifying the links between samples and components. Hence, this paper proposes an approach to wear reliability assessment for PRCL components based on probability mapping. First, a wear reliability model for PRCL samples and components is created using the improved Rhee wear model, acceleration model, and wear distribution characteristics. The issue of inadequate wear data is resolved by estimating model parameters using the Bayesian approach. The component's wear reliability model is then optimized after the degree to which temperature, load, and time affect the quantity of wear is examined using the sensitivity analysis approach. Second, a probability mapping approach is proposed to consider three mapping relationships. The ratio of the characteristic values (mean and standard deviation) of the wear reliability model parameters of the samples and components represents the mapping connection between PRCL samples and components. Lastly, the sample wear reliability model and mapping relationship are used to forecast the components' wear depth, wear life, and wear reliability, which are then compared to the experimental findings. Compared to mean mapping and no mapping, mean and standard deviation mapping predicted a decrease in the percentage error of mean wear life for piston ring components by 5.57% and 14.78%, and cylinder liner components by 4.81% and 9.13%, respectively. The wear reliability of PRCL components under the average wear amount is 0.51, which is closest to the true value of 0.5. Under the assessment test conditions, the predicted wear reliability of PRCL components based on mean and standard deviation mapping at 832.55h are 0.8986 and 0.8224, respectively, which are closer to the test result of 0.8333. The research results indicate that this approach can forecast PRCL components' wear depth, wear life, and wear reliability with rapidity, precision, and effectiveness. This approach can serve as a guide for routine maintenance and quality evaluation of piston ring cylinder liner components.
Dry sliding wear behavior of AZ31-ZrO2 nano-composites
Authors: Roy Goswami Arindam , Poria Suswagata , Sahoo Prasanta
Published: February 2025

The present research investigates the influence of ZrO2 nanoparticles on the microstructural, mechanical, and tribological behavior of magnesium matrix composites fabricated through ultrasonic-assisted stir-casting process. Microscopic characterization reveals the successful inclusion of ZrO2 nano-particles through several characterization methods like energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The effect of varying ZrO2 content (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt%) on the tribological behaviour is explored using a pin-on-disk wear tester. Wear experiments have been conducted under dry sliding conditions at different operating loads (10, 20, 30, and 40 N) and sliding velocities (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 m/s) at room temperature. The incorporation of ZrO2 nano-particles improves the micro-hardness of the cast base alloy and significantly enhances wear resistance. Additionally, an attempt has been made to identify the dominant wear mechanisms by analyzing the worn surfaces.
Atypical presentation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis withSOD1-H47R mutation
Authors: Aryapadi Vaishnavi , Trivedi Jaya
Published: February 2025

Traditionally, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is recognised as a fatal neurodegenerative disease that typically emerges in the later decades of life, with a life expectancy of 2–5 years after symptom onset. We now understand that ALS exhibits a wide phenotypic clinical spectrum, significantly influenced by genetic factors. Here, we describe a patient with familial ALS carrying a heterozygous pathogenic H47R mutation of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene. His clinical presentation is atypical, with a slow progressive course, lower extremity weakness, and sparing of bulbar and respiratory function, consistent with the flail leg variant of ALS. The objective of this report is to increase awareness of atypical presentations of ALS and the diagnostic challenges they pose to clinicians. In addition to a description of the clinical case, we briefly discuss the new role of gene therapy in the treatment of familial ALS withSOD1mutations.
The ethics of using virtual assistants to help people in vulnerable positions access care
Authors: Kraaijeveld Steven R , van Heijster Hanneke , Bol Nadine , Bevelander Kirsten E
Published: February 2025

People in vulnerable positions who need support in their daily lives often face challenges in receiving timely access to care; for instance, due to disabilities or individual and situational vulnerabilities. There has been an increasing turn to technology-mediated ways to improve access to care, which has raised ethical questions about the appropriateness and inclusiveness of digitalising care requests. Specifically, for people in vulnerable positions, digitalisation is meant to facilitate requests for access to healthcare resources and to simplify the process of navigating the healthcare system. In a multidisciplinary research project, we examined the use and value of a ‘sensitive’ virtual assistant that can accommodate different needs of target groups through inclusive design, adaptive technology and artificial intelligence. This paper presents empirical findings from focus groups with care recipients and caregivers about the sensitive virtual assistant and relates the findings to five larger ethical issues associated with the use of virtual assistants in healthcare settings and care practices more generally. It highlights the risk that, even with the inclusion of target groups in the design of digitalised care assistants, some people may benefit significantly less than others.
Serum creatine kinase: requesting and interpreting results
Authors: Walters Jon , Gailani Gaafar
Published: February 2025

Creatine kinase is an intracellular enzyme found abundantly in skeletal muscle, myocardium and brain. It is well known as a biomarker that increases following skeletal muscle damage and doctors instinctively associate it with myopathies. Serum creatine kinase is undoubtedly often raised in many myopathies and the extent of increase may provide a clue to the myopathic culprit. However, in other myopathies, it may be normal or only marginally raised, and rarely it is normal when the underlying pathology suggests that it should be very raised. Creatine kinase can also be raised in neurogenic disorders, and it can help in the investigation of some neurological disorders that are unrelated to neuromuscular disease. Finally, it may be discovered to be mysteriously elevated without a clear clinical correlate. Here, we examine each of these conundrums, beginning with the clinical problem at hand.
Modeling and Analysis of Cellular Neural Networks Based on Memcapacitor
Authors: Wang Xuan , Mou Jun , Cao Yinghong , Jahanshahi Hadi
Published: February 2025

Introducing the memcapacitor into the Cellular Neural Network (CNN), the Memcapacitor-Cellular Neural Network (MC-CNN) model with infinitely many equilibrium points is constructed. A series of dynamical behaviors of the MC-CNN are investigated by various nonlinear system analysis means. It is shown that the system has a large maximum Lyapunov exponent in a specific parameter range. And with the variation of parameters, the system is able to produce many different phase trajectories of the attractor. Multistability is also found in the system. The pseudo-randomness of the MC-CNN is calculated by Spectral Entropy (SE) complexity algorithm. The final hardware results proves the physical realizability of the system. The MC-CNN model is intended to provide guidance for neural networks and cryptographic strategies based on the memcapacitor.
IoT-Cloud-Centric Smart Healthcare Monitoring System for Heart Disease Prediction Using a Gated-Controlled Deep Unfolding Network with Crayfish Optimization
Authors: Kumar Harish , Taluja Anuradha , Prasad R. Giri , Muniyandy Elangovan
Published: February 2025

The rising incidence of heart disease requires effective and robust prediction algorithms, especially in Internet of Things (IoT)-cloud-based smart healthcare frameworks. This study presents a novel method for forecasting cardiovascular disease using superior data preprocessing, feature selection, and deep learning techniques. First, preprocessing is done using the Z-score min–max normalization technique to ensure consistent data scaling and standardize the dataset. After preprocessing, an innovative hybrid feature selection technique that combines Black Widow Optimization (BWO) and Influencer Buddy Optimization (IBO) is utilized. By achieving equilibrium between invention and execution, the BWO-IBO technique enhances feature selection and extracts the most pertinent information for heart disease prediction. The Gates-Controlled Deep Unfolding Network (GCDUN), which is based on the Crayfish Optimization Algorithm (COA), is an innovative framework for prediction. Through the use of a gates-controlled mechanism and a COA component that speeds up network parameter tuning based on crayfish behavior, GCDUN-COA increases feature representation and enhances the decision plane. The fusion of the IoT and a cloud-based framework takes the present data collection, processing, and remote monitoring a notch higher, thus making the system highly scalable and efficient for clinical use. When predicting cardiac disease, the method recommended shows improved F1-score, specificity, accuracy, recall, and precision continuously achieving above 99% across all performance metrics. By providing prompt diagnosis and intervention via an intelligent, adaptive prediction system, an IoT-driven cloud-based medical technology has the potential to revolutionize cardiac care.
Dual Deep Autoencoder Split Generative Adversarial Networks with Gooseneck Barnacle Optimization-Based Prediction of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Facial Images
Authors: Goddu Jyothi , Anuradha S. , Srinivas Yarramalle
Published: February 2025

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that poses significant challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Individuals with ASD have unique ways of interacting and communicating, and early prediction is crucial for timely therapy. Researchers are focusing on predicting ASD using image-processing techniques due to its neurological nature. The proposed novel Hybrid Convolutional Bilateral filter-based Deep Dual Swin Axial Generator Attention with Gooseneck Barnacle Optimization (FCB-DDSATGA-GBO) accurately predicts ASD. The facial image dataset is the input data source. The Hybrid Fast Convolutional Bilateral Filter (HFCBF) is used to pre-process the data. Dual Deep Autoencoder and Split Generative Adversarial Network (DDASGAN) is used to extract static features. Additionally, Swin-Gated Axial Attention Transformer (SGAAT) is used to segment the image. To forecast ASD, DDASGAN is used and optimized with Gooseneck Barnacle Optimization (GBO). The performance of the suggested methodology can be assessed using measures such as accuracy, recall, precision, sensitivity, f-score, and error, and compared to existing methods. The suggested FCB-DDSATGA-GBO model outperforms the current techniques, offering an enhanced f1-score of 99.66%, recall of 99.66%, accuracy of 99.67%, specificity of 99.67%, and precision of 99.66% when utilizing facial images.
Informing the Design of Individualized Self-Management Regimens from the Human, Data, and Machine Learning Perspectives
Authors: Pichon Adrienne , Urteaga Iñigo , Mamykina Lena , Elhadad Noémie
Published: February 2025

Intelligent systems for self-management can help patients and improve quality of life. However, designing AI-based systems is challenging because designers need to account not only for user needs, but also for capabilities and practical constraints of underlying algorithms. We propose and implement a human-centered AI framework to align human and technological requirements and constraints that can guide design of intelligent systems for personal health. We use concepts from a machine learning technique, reinforcement learning, to elicit user needs, through directed content analysis of user interviews, and uncover practical data constraints, through analysis of “in the wild” user engagement logs from a self-monitoring app. We gather and triangulate human-machine-data requirements for a self-management tool for individuals with endometriosis — a poorly understood, complex chronic condition with no reliable treatment. We present recommendations for developing a system that aligns with needs, capabilities, and constraints from human user, data, and machine learning perspectives.
Balancing Embedding Spectrum for Recommendation
Authors: Peng Shaowen , Sugiyama Kazunari , Liu Xin , Mine Tsunenori
Published: February 2025

Modern recommender systems heavily rely on high-quality representations learned from high-dimensional sparse data. While significant efforts have been invested in designing powerful algorithms for extracting user preferences, the factors contributing to good representations have remained relatively unexplored. In this work, we shed light on an issue in the existing pair-wise learning paradigm (
i.e.,
embedding collapse), that the representations tend to span a subspace of the whole embedding space, leading to a suboptimal solution and reducing the model capacity. Specifically, we show that alignment of positive pairs is equivalent to a low pass filter causing users/items to collapse to a constant vector. While negative sampling can partially mitigate this issue by acting as a high pass filter to balance the spectrum, leading to an incomplete collapse.

To tackle this issue, we present a novel learning paradigm DirectSpec, which directly optimizes the spectrum distribution to ensure that users/items effectively span the entire embedding space. We demonstrate that many self-supervised learning algorithms without explicit negative sampling can be considered as special cases of DirectSpec. Furthermore, we show that optimizing the spectrum inappropriately could also be poisonous to data representation, where the key lies in a dynamic balance between alignment of positive pairs and spectrum balancing. Finally, we propose an enhanced and practical implementation DirectSpec
+
to balance the embedding spectrum more adaptively and effectively. We implement DirectSpec
+
on two popular recommender models: MF and LightGCN. Our experimental results demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency over competitive baselines.
Exploring a Modification to the Readiness Assurance Process in Team-Based Learning
Authors: Farmer Tadd , Johnson Michael C , Larsen Jorin D , Davidson Lance Eric
Published: February 2025

Team-based learning (TBL) is an active learning instructional strategy shown to improve student learning in large enrollment courses. While early implementations of TBL proved generally effective in an undergraduate exercise physiology course that delivered an online individual readiness assurance test (iRAT) prior to class, the instructor reported student dissatisfaction with the use of identical questions in the team readiness assurance test (tRAT) in class. This study sought to improve the student experience in this course by including different but related question sets for the online iRAT and in-class tRAT. Two sections of an upper-level undergraduate exercise physiology course received both the traditional and modified tRAT, alternating approaches with each course unit. This crossover research design exposed more students to the proposed modification and provided more student perspectives than would be collected through other research designs. An independent samples t-test indicated that the modified TBL format made no difference on performance on course unit exams (p > .05). However, student survey qualitative data revealed that 69% of students preferred the modified tRAT method to the traditional form. Student responses on the benefits of the modification, represented hereafter as major themes in the analysis, included better content interaction, use of higher-order thinking, and more effective social experience with teams. While this study showed that different sets of questions for the individual and team quizzes improved the experience but not performance for the majority of students, some students suggested changes to the modification that could further improve the student experience with TBL.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Syed Abu Mohammad , Karius Alexander K. , Ma Jin , Wang Ping-yuan , Hwang Paul M.
Published: February 2025

ME/CFS is a debilitating multisystem disorder of unclear etiology that affects many individuals worldwide. One of its hallmark symptoms is prolonged fatigue following exertion, a feature also observed in long COVID, suggesting an underlying dysfunction in energy production in both conditions. Here, mitochondrial dysfunction and its potential pathogenetic role in these disorders are reviewed.
Enhancing Face Recognition Model Performance Through HyperStyle‐Driven Data Augmentation
Authors: Chaidir Muhammad , Abidin Taufik F. , Sofyan Hizir , Muchtar Kahlil
Published: February 2025

Face recognition is a reliable biometric technology that utilizes artificial intelligence and computer vision to identify and verify an individual’s identity based on facial features. Its rapid development has enabled integration into diverse applications, including security systems, access control, forensics, and mobile devices. However, challenges such as recognizing faces across different ages persist, presenting opportunities for further research. Developing robust face recognition models requires substantial training datasets, but manually labeling large collections of facial images is both time‐intensive and costly. Our previous study demonstrated that a ResNet‐50 model trained on a dataset of 44,000 facial images, combining the original FaceScrub dataset with HyperStyle age and smile augmentations, achieved an F1‐score of 79%, significantly outperforming the model trained solely on the authentic FaceScrub dataset (F1‐score: 63%). Building upon these findings, this study explores a broader range of augmentation styles, including pose and domain adaptation, e.g., Pixar, Toonify, Sketch, and Disney, using the HyperStyle scheme. Models trained with domain adaptation showed reduced performance (F1‐score: 64%) due to the domain gap introduced by cartoon‐like styles. In contrast, models trained with pose augmentation achieved an F1‐score of 75%, demonstrating the importance of augmentations resembling real‐world variations. When training incorporated all augmentation styles, e.g., age, smile, pose, and domain adaptation, the F1‐score reached 78%, slightly lower than the model trained with age and smile augmentations only (F1‐score: 79%). To further evaluate the impact of age and smile augmentations, additional experiments were conducted using various CNN models, including VGGNet‐16, MobileNetV3Small, SEResNet‐18, and ResNet‐50, under different hyperparameter configurations. Among these, ResNet‐50 achieved the highest F1‐score (82%), surpassing VGGNet‐16 (60%), MobileNetV3Small (65%), and SEResNet‐18 (81%). The study also introduced modifications to the HyperStyle scheme in both the preprocessing and postprocessing stages, which further enhanced model performance. The ResNet‐50 model trained with the modified HyperStyle scheme, and the original FaceScrub dataset achieved the highest F1‐score of 83%, demonstrating the effectiveness of these modifications in improving face recognition performance.
Expression of Resuscitation‐Promoting Factor C Stimulates the Growth of Mycobacterium bovis BCG and Delays DevR Regulon Activation in Hypoxia
Authors: Reyes-González Luz Virginia , Hernández de la Cruz Olga N. , Castañón-Arreola Mauricio
Published: February 2025

Latent tuberculosis is characterized by the presence of dormant, nonreplicating (DNR) bacilli for years without causing clinical signs and symptoms, remaining as a major reservoir for active tuberculosis. The mechanism through which M. tuberculosis transits from DNR to active bacilli remains unclear. However, resuscitation‐promoting factors (Rpfs) could participate in the reactivation. Using recombinant M. bovis BCG that expresses rpfC (M. bovis BCG‐pMV261::rpfC), we evaluated the role of RpfC in the growth of bacilli and the expression of 11 hypoxia‐regulated genes in comparison with M. bovis BCG‐pMV261. The strains were grown in normoxic (21% O2), hypoxic (5% O2), and anoxic (< 0.1% O2) conditions. In normoxic culture, M. bovis BCG‐pMV261::rpfC displays a lower expression of sigB and fdxA. In anoxic culture, we did not observe drastic changes in the gene expression, except for those involved in electron transport during anaerobic respiration (pdxA, pfkB, and nark2), whose expression was significantly lower in M. bovis BCG‐pMV261. When the strains were cultured in hypoxia, significantly higher culturability was observed in M. bovis BCG‐pMV261::rpfC compared to M. bovis BCG‐pMV261. This response was accompanied by a higher sigB and sigE expression. In both strains, we observed a higher dosT, devR, fdxA, and fpkB expression in response to hypoxia. Interestingly, except for fdxA, the expression of these genes was lower in M. bovis BCG‐pMV261::rpfC. The protein profiles of M. bovis BCG‐pMV261::rpfC reflected the maintenance of an active replicative state (similar to that of the strain grown in normoxic conditions). In anoxic cultures, no significant changes were observed in the expression of hypoxia‐response genes. These findings suggest that rpfC may have a significant physiological role in inducing the growth of M. bovis BCG‐pMV261::rpfC, which results in the delayed activation of genes related to the transition to anaerobic metabolism.
Supplementary Figure 1 from Chromatin Helicase CHD6 Establishes Proinflammatory Enhancers and Is a Synthetic Lethal Target in FH-Deficient Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Jin Juan , Luo Jun , Jin Xiaodong , Lim Kiat Shenq , He Yang , Ding Jiawei , Shen Yan , Hou Yuchen , Liu Hanqing , Zhu Xiaoyu , Zhao Jing , Zhou Wenjie , Huang Hai , Gao Yi , Xiao Jun , He Hongchao , Li Qunyi , Liu Lianxin , Chen Li , He Qiang , Zhang Chuanjie
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Figure 1. Library and cells used for in vivo epigenetic CRISPR screen, related to Figure 1. A. Schematic diagram of FH mutations and related distributions in the indicated protein domains. B. Intracellular fumarate levels were measured in a panel of indicated RCC cell lines. C. Lorenz curve showing the distribution of sgRNAs in the epigenetic-focused library. D. Workflow showing the generation of the UOK- or ACHN-clones without Cas9 for evaluating the distribution of guides that persist upon tumour formation from the tumour initiating cells (TICs), and the UOK- or ACHN-clones with Cas9 were used for further in vivo screens. E. Western blot showing superior Cas9 expressions in UOK-Cas9-Clone 5 and ACHN-Clone 4. F. Cell viability of UOK-Cas9-Clone 5 and ACHN-Cas9-Clone 4 transfected with sgRNAs targeting the essential gene CCND1. G. Representative tumor graph and growth curve of sgRNA library transduced UOK-Cas9-Clone 5 & ACHN-Cas9-Clone 4 subcutaneously injected into BABL/c nude mice. H. Percentage of maintained sgRNAs in mice injected with UOK-Clone 5 library (without Cas9) and ACHN-clone 4 library (without Cas9) cells. I. Volcano plot revealing the targets with altered sgRNA frequencies with a cutoff of p < 0.01 and log2 fold change (log2FC) > 2. J. MTT analysis showing the effects of siRNA KD of 9 CHD family genes on FH-deficient cells, respectively. The quantitative results shown are representative of 5 experiments. P values were calculated using a two-tailed unpaired t-test (F, J). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001.
Supplementary Data from Adenosine Uptake through the Nucleoside Transporter ENT1 Suppresses Antitumor Immunity and T-cell Pyrimidine Synthesis
Authors: Allard David , Cormery Jeanne , Bricha Salma , Fuselier Camille , Abbas Aghababazadeh Farnoosh , Giraud Lucie , Skora Emma , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Stagg John
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Fig. S1-S7 and supplementary Tables S1-S5
Supplementary Dataset 2 from Energy Stress–Induced circEPB41(2) Promotes Lipogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Yang , Luo Jingjing , Wang Zhongyu , Liu Kaiyue , Feng Keyi , Wang Fang , Mei Yide
Published: February 2025

Untargeted lipidomics analysis in Control and circEPB41(2) knockdown cells
Supplementary Table S6 from PTBP1 Lactylation Promotes Glioma Stem Cell Maintenance through PFKFB4-Driven Glycolysis
Authors: Zhou Zijian , Yin Xianyong , Sun Hao , Lu Jiaze , Li Yuming , Fan Yang , Lv Peiwen , Han Min , Wu Jing , Li Shengjie , Liu Zihao , Zhao Hongbo , Sun Haohan , Fan Hao , Wang Shan , Xin Tao
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Table S6. Downregulated genes by PTBP1 knockdown (Top 200)
Supplementary Table S3 from PTBP1 Lactylation Promotes Glioma Stem Cell Maintenance through PFKFB4-Driven Glycolysis
Authors: Zhou Zijian , Yin Xianyong , Sun Hao , Lu Jiaze , Li Yuming , Fan Yang , Lv Peiwen , Han Min , Wu Jing , Li Shengjie , Liu Zihao , Zhao Hongbo , Sun Haohan , Fan Hao , Wang Shan , Xin Tao
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Table S3. Sequences of shRNAs or siRNAs used in this study
Supplementary Table S2 from Targeting the PREX2/RAC1/PI3Kβ Signaling Axis Confers Sensitivity to Clinically Relevant Therapeutic Approaches in Melanoma
Authors: Ford Catriona A. , Koludrovic Dana , Centeno Patricia P. , Foth Mona , Tsonou Elpida , Vlahov Nikola , Sphyris Nathalie , Gilroy Kathryn , Bull Courtney , Nixon Colin , Serrels Bryan , Munro Alison F. , Dawson John C. , Carragher Neil O. , Pavet Valeria , Hornigold David C. , Dunne Philip D. , Downward Julian , Welch Heidi C.E. , Barry Simon T. , Sansom Owen J. , Campbell Andrew D.
Published: February 2025

Cancer subtypes abbreviations
Supplementary Table S1 from Targeting the PREX2/RAC1/PI3Kβ Signaling Axis Confers Sensitivity to Clinically Relevant Therapeutic Approaches in Melanoma
Authors: Ford Catriona A. , Koludrovic Dana , Centeno Patricia P. , Foth Mona , Tsonou Elpida , Vlahov Nikola , Sphyris Nathalie , Gilroy Kathryn , Bull Courtney , Nixon Colin , Serrels Bryan , Munro Alison F. , Dawson John C. , Carragher Neil O. , Pavet Valeria , Hornigold David C. , Dunne Philip D. , Downward Julian , Welch Heidi C.E. , Barry Simon T. , Sansom Owen J. , Campbell Andrew D.
Published: February 2025

Reverse Phase Protein Array antibodies
Figure 3 from Targeting the PREX2/RAC1/PI3Kβ Signaling Axis Confers Sensitivity to Clinically Relevant Therapeutic Approaches in Melanoma
Authors: Ford Catriona A. , Koludrovic Dana , Centeno Patricia P. , Foth Mona , Tsonou Elpida , Vlahov Nikola , Sphyris Nathalie , Gilroy Kathryn , Bull Courtney , Nixon Colin , Serrels Bryan , Munro Alison F. , Dawson John C. , Carragher Neil O. , Pavet Valeria , Hornigold David C. , Dunne Philip D. , Downward Julian , Welch Heidi C.E. , Barry Simon T. , Sansom Owen J. , Campbell Andrew D.
Published: February 2025

Cotargeting of MEK1/2 and the RAC1 effector p110β suppresses growth of melanoma lines in vitro. A, Left, relative confluence of WM266.4 cells treated with indicated treatments over time. Representative of a minimum of five independent experiments and three technical replicates. Data, mean ± SEM (confluence relative to starting point). Right, relative change in confluence of WM266.4 cells over indicated 72-hour treatment. Center line, mean. P values calculated by one-way ANOVA corrected for multiple comparisons (Tukey). B, Left, relative confluence of A375 cells treated with indicated treatments over time. Representative of three independent experiments with a minimum of three technical replicates. Data, mean ± SEM (confluence relative to starting point). Right, relative change in confluence of A375 cells over indicated 72-hour treatment. Center line, mean. P values calculated by one-way ANOVA corrected for multiple comparisons (Tukey). C, Fluorescence labeled (LI-COR) immunoblotting for indicated activated components of the MAPK–PI3K–mTOR pathway in the indicated human melanoma cells treated with vehicle or the indicated targeted therapeutics. Co-labeled total protein detection for each phosphoprotein serves as a sample integrity control. The blots are representative of three repeated experiments. D, RPPA dataset comparing PTEN-deficient and PTEN-proficient melanoma cell lines treated with indicated treatments for 24 hours. Cell line names and treatments are indicated below the heatmap. Antigens, detected by RPPA antibodies, are listed vertically according to biological process/signaling pathway. Color intensity scale indicates high (red) and low (blue) log2FC of RPPA intensity values relative to the relevant DMSO control. Results are representative of two technical and five biological replicates per condition.