bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passaging of gingival fibroblasts from periodontally healthy and diseased sites upregulates osteogenesis-related genes
Authors: Karlis Gerasimos D. , Schoenmaker Ton , Tsoromokos Nektarios , Veth Olaf E. , Loos Bruno G. , de Vries Teun J.
Published: October 2023

To investigate biological processes of the periodontium, in vitro primary cell models have been established. To study the biology of the gingiva, primary gingival fibroblast cell models are widely used. For such experiments, cells need to be expanded and passaged. A key assumption is that primary cells maintain most of their original characteristics they have in situ. The aim of this research is to explore the impact of early passaging on selected gene expression of human gingival fibroblast cells. For this purpose, gene expression from the outgrowth of the resected tissues until the fourth passage was followed for nine tissue samples, from both healthy and diseased sites. Micrographs were taken from the cultures, RNA was extracted from the samples of each passage and quantitative PCR was performed for selected genes representing various biological processes. Epithelial cells were present during the first outgrowth, but were no longer present in the second passage. Our results indicate that the morphology of the gingival fibroblast cells does not change with passaging and that passages 2–4 contain only gingival fibroblasts. Gene expression of M-CSF, TNF-α, TLR4, POSTN and FAPα was unchanged by passaging, the expression of IL-6, IL-1β and TLR2 decreased due to passaging and the expression of in particular the selected osteogenesis genes (ALP, RUNX2, Osteonectin, COL1A), OPG and MKI67 increased with passaging. Worldwide, use of the same passage in laboratory experiments using primary cell cultures is the standard. Our results support this, since for certain genes, in particular osteogenesis genes, expression may alter solely due to passaging.
Three Dimensional Bioprinting for Hepatic Tissue Engineering: From In Vitro Models to Clinical Applications
Authors: Kasturi Meghana , Mathur Vidhi , Gadre Mrunmayi , Srinivasan Varadharajan , Vasanthan Kirthanashri S.
Published: October 2023

Fabrication of functional organs is the holy grail of tissue engineering and the possibilities of repairing a partial or complete liver to treat chronic liver disorders are discussed in this review. Liver is the largest gland in the human body and plays a responsible role in majority of metabolic function and processes. Chronic liver disease is one of the leading causes of death globally and the current treatment strategy of organ transplantation holds its own demerits. Hence there is a need to develop an in vitro liver model that mimics the native microenvironment. The developed model should be a reliable to understand the pathogenesis, screen drugs and assist to repair and replace the damaged liver. The three-dimensional bioprinting is a promising technology that recreates in vivo alike in vitro model for transplantation, which is the goal of tissue engineers. The technology has great potential due to its precise control and its ability to homogeneously distribute cells on all layers in a complex structure. This review gives an overview of liver tissue engineering with a special focus on 3D bioprinting and bioinks for liver disease modelling and drug screening.
NFT-enabled organization design: prospects, promises and hurdles
Authors: Tinguely Patrick Nicolas , Shrestha Yash Raj
Published: October 2023

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are digital assets based on blockchain technology that are increasingly being used for various applications in organizations. Given NFTs’ unique technological features, we posit that traditional, centralized organizations can adopt them to introduce novel solutions to the fundamental problems of organizing, namely, division of labor and integration of efforts. We examine the prospects and promises of NFT-enabled organization design and suggest how organizations can navigate its potential hurdles. We discuss critical boundary conditions for the deployment of NFTs in organization design and conclude by articulating how our Point of View article contributes to scholarship on blockchain technology and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
A Less Familiar Plato
Authors: Corrigan Kevin
Published: October 2023

In this book, Kevin Corrigan sheds light on aspects of Plato's thought that are less familiar to contemporary readers. He reveals a Plato who believes in Forms but is not essentialist, who develops a scientific view of perception in the middle and late dialogues, and who offers positive models of art and science. Corrigan shows how Plato articulates a broader view of intelligible reality in which embodiment is affirmative and the mind-soul-body continuum has an eidetic structure, and where even failure and the imperfect are included. He also demonstrates that Plato developed an ideal, yet finely layered view of love that provided a practical guide throughout antiquity; and that the dialogues and unwritten teachings can be understood in a mutually open-ended, non-antagonistic way. Corrigan's book provides a guide to Plato in an unexpected key and poses important questions regarding imagination, divine inspiration, and Forms and the Good, among other topics.
On local Galois deformation rings
Authors: Böckle Gebhard , Iyengar Ashwin , Paškūnas Vytautas
Published: October 2023

We show that framed deformation rings of mod p representations of the absolute Galois group of a p-adic local field are complete intersections of expected dimension. We determine their irreducible components and show that they and their special fibres are normal and complete intersection. As an application, we prove density results of loci with prescribed p-adic Hodge theoretic properties.
On the shapes of liquid curtains flowing from a non-vertical slot
Authors: Della Pia Alessandro , Antoniades Michael G. , Ioannidis Eleni S. , Wejko Zoe A. , Barlow Nathaniel S. , Chiatto Matteo , Weinstein Steven J. , de Luca Luigi
Published: October 2023

A theoretical and experimental investigation of two-dimensional (2-D) liquid curtains (gravitationally thinning liquid sheets) is provided under conditions where the curtain issues from a thin slot whose centreline is inclined with respect to the vertical. This analysis is motivated in part by recent works where it has been proposed that oblique liquid curtains (those exiting a non-vertical slot) may bend upwards against gravity when the relevant Weber number at the slot is less than unity (

$We <1$

). By contrast, Weinstein et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 876, 2019, R3) have proposed that such

$We<1$

curtains must be vertical and downward falling regardless of the inclination of the slot. Under low-Reynolds-number (

$Re$

) conditions typical of liquid film coating operations, our experiments show that the curtain shape follows the classic ballistic (parabolic) trajectory in the supercritical regime (

$We>1$

). In subcritical conditions (

$We<1$

), experiments show that the downward-falling curtain is vertical except in a relatively small region near the slot, where the combined effects of viscosity and surface tension induce the so-called teapot effect. These experimental results are confirmed by 2-D numerical simulations, which predict the curtain behaviour ranging from highly viscous (

$Re = O(1)$

) to nearly inviscid conditions. The one-dimensional (1-D) inviscid model of Weinstein et al. is recast in a different form to facilitate comparisons with the 2-D model, and 1-D and 2-D results agree favourably for supercritical and subcritical conditions. Despite the large parameter range explored, we have found no evidence that upward-bending curtains exist in an oblique configuration.
Modernity and consumer culture in Visconti's early films
Authors: Capitano Rossana
Published: October 2023

Luchino Visconti is widely recognised as a high-culture director. However, in his films of the period 1943–63 there was a firm engagement with consumer culture and modernity in terms of themes, characters and references. This article explores this often overlooked dimension in Visconti's films by analysing a number of key sequences and moments that relate directly to consumption, consumer culture, leisure, modernity, Americanisation and youth culture. The analysis shows how these representations related to the ongoing changes in Italian postwar society and to incoming Americanisation in particular. My research is informed by the work of Gary Cross, Victoria De Grazia and Emanuela Scarpellini on consumer culture and contextualises how Visconti's referencing of consumer culture and modernity was received by the PCI (Partito Comunista Italiano or Italian Communist Party).
‘WHERE CIVIL BLOOD MAKES CIVIL HANDS UNCLEAN’: THE MODEL OF STASIS IN SALLUST
Authors: Paleo‐Paz Héctor
Published: October 2023

The following paper proposes that Sallust offers a conceptualization of civil conflict more in line with the Greek paradigm of stasis than with its Roman counterpart bellum ciuile. In doing so, it argues for the actual coexistence of these two differentiated conceptual strands in the political thought of the Late Republic. To this end, Sallust's corpus is analysed to identify the main threads that articulate civil strife in its multifarious manifestations: how it arises and who its protagonists are or, conversely, how it is kept in check, how it is connected to the human passions that drive ideology, and the violence that stems from the clash between political and familial spheres of influence. The article shows how the pathos of familial drama is what characterizes civil conflict for Sallust, rather than the struggle for legitimacy found in Cicero's narrative.
On Liouville theorems of a Hartree–Poisson system
Authors: Li Ling , Lei Yutian
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we are concerned with the non-existence of positive solutions of a Hartree–Poisson system:
\begin{equation*}
\left\{
\begin{aligned}
&-\Delta u=\left(\frac{1}{|x|^{n-2}}\ast v^p\right)v^{p-1},\quad u \gt 0\ \text{in} \ \mathbb{R}^{n},\\
&-\Delta v=\left(\frac{1}{|x|^{n-2}}\ast u^q\right)u^{q-1},\quad v \gt 0\ \text{in} \ \mathbb{R}^{n},
\end{aligned}
\right.
\end{equation*} where $n \geq3$ and $\min\{p,q\} \gt 1$. We prove that the system has no positive solution under a Serrin-type condition. In addition, the system has no positive radial classical solution in a Sobolev-type subcritical case. In addition, the system has no positive solution with some integrability in this Sobolev-type subcritical case. Finally, the relation between a Liouville theorem and the estimate of boundary blowing-up rates is given.
Maria Weston Chapman, French Salons, and Transatlantic Abolitionism in the Mid-Nineteenth Century
Authors: Rivington Kate
Published: October 2023

This article examines the idea of anti-slavery sociability as part of a wider analysis of the informal elements of the transatlantic anti-slavery movement. It considers how American abolitionist Maria Weston Chapman drew support for the American anti-slavery cause from French salons during her time spent living in Paris from 1848 to 1855. This case-study highlights how a focus on the informal dimensions of anti-slavery activism illuminates the often underappreciated work of female abolitionists in the transatlantic reform sphere. Through the connections she established with the likes of French writer Victor Hugo and Russian exile Nicholas Tourgueneff at salons in Paris, most notably that of Mary Clarke Mohl on the Rue de Bac, Chapman was able to cultivate European support for abolitionism in myriad ways. This included financial donations, goods to be sold at anti-slavery bazaars, and, perhaps most importantly, testimonies against American slavery from renowned Europeans like Hugo that could be republished in the United States.
The influence of clinical experience on reliable evaluation of pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions: comparison of high-definition laryngoscopy using narrow band imaging with fibre-optic laryngoscopy
Authors: Scholman Constanze , Zwakenberg Manon A , Wedman Jan , Wachters Jan E , Halmos Gyorgy B , van der Laan Bernard F A M , Plaat Boudewijn E C
Published: October 2023

Background

Fibre-optic laryngoscopy is still widely used in daily clinical practice; however, high-definition laryngoscopy using narrow band imaging could be more reliable in characterising pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions.

Methods

Endoscopic videos were assessed in a tertiary referral hospital by 12 observers with different levels of clinical experience. Thirty pairs of high-definition laryngoscopy with narrow band imaging and fibre-optic laryngoscopy videos were judged twice, with an interval of two to four weeks, in a random order. Inter- and intra-observer reliability, sensitivity and specificity were calculated in terms of detecting a malignant lesion and a specific histological entity, for beginners, trained observers and experts.

Results

Using high-definition laryngoscopy with narrow band imaging, inter-observer reliability for detecting malignant lesions increased from moderate to substantial in trained observers and experts (high-definition laryngoscopy with narrow band imaging κ = 0.66 and κ = 0.77 vs fibre-optic laryngoscopy κ = 0.51 and κ = 0.56, for trained observers and experts respectively) and sensitivity increased by 16 per cent.

Conclusion

Inter-observer reliability increased with the level of clinical experience, especially when using high-definition laryngoscopy with narrow band imaging.
Fit and Well-Being
Authors: Bruno-Niño Teresa
Published: October 2023

In this paper, I argue for Fit, a prudential version of the claim that attitudes must fit their objects, the claim that there is an extra benefit when one's reactions fit their objects. I argue that Fit has surprising and powerful consequences for theories of well-being. Classic versions of the objective list theory, hedonism, desire views, and loving-the-good theories do not accommodate Fit. Suitable modifications change some of the views substantially. Modified views give reactions a robust role as sources of well-being, and they accept that objects call for some attitudes but not others. I argue that objective list theories and loving-the-good theories require the most minimal changes to accommodate Fit, so we have a pro tanto reason to favor these views over alternatives.
How effective is public health policy in Scotland on vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy?
Authors: Campbell Ruth , Curran Christopher , Hayward Jonathan , Godwin Jon , Johnston Susan , Armstrong Julie , Collier Andrew
Published: October 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the uptake of universal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy, its effectiveness in preventing vitamin D deficiency and the factors associated with these.

Design:

The regional public health organisation in Ayrshire, Scotland has a policy of universal provision of vitamin D supplements (10 µg/d) to all pregnant women for the duration of their pregnancy. Pregnant women in this area were recruited at their 12-week antenatal appointment. Blood samples were collected at the 12-week and 34-week appointments. To account for the seasonal variation, women were recruited in two cohorts: summer and winter. Telephone interviews were conducted at 34 weeks to assess the uptake of vitamin D supplements during pregnancy. Other variables were obtained from medical records.

Setting:

The study was conducted in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Board in Scotland.

Participants:

612 pregnant women (aged 15–44 years) living in Ayrshire (latitude 55°), Scotland.

Results:

Sixty-six percentage took supplementation as recommended. Consumption of supplementation was significantly associated with a higher median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations at 34 weeks. Despite this at 34 weeks, 33 % of the summer cohort had insufficient or deficient vitamin D status, while 15 % of the winter cohort had insufficient or deficient status. In multivariable analysis, only adherence and season were independent predictors of vitamin D status.

Conclusions:

While supplementation improved and maintained vitamin D status during pregnancy, it was not adequate to ensure all those insufficient at 12 weeks achieved sufficient status at the end of pregnancy.
Protecting Our (White) Daughters: U.S. Immigration and Benevolent Sexism
Authors: Smilan-Goldstein Rachel
Published: October 2023

To advocate for restrictive immigration policies, conservative U.S. politicians have advanced a narrative that Latino immigrants commit violent crimes against White women. This framing of immigrant threat builds on a long history of similar anti-Black discourse and activates racialized ideas about protecting femininity. I demonstrate how the identities of purported victims of immigrant crime connect attitudes about immigration with benevolent sexism—a superficially positive, protective attitude toward particular types of women. An original survey experiment shows that benevolent sexism is activated when victims of immigrant crime are White women. Using nationally representative survey data, I show that the benevolent face of sexism has a notable impact on the immigration attitudes of White Americans, particularly when it comes to the protectionist policy of policing of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Varieties of clientelism across political parties: new measures of patron–client relationships
Authors: Higashĳima Masaaki , Washida Hidekuni
Published: October 2023

Recent research on clientelism has focused on the varieties of clientelism. They suggest that clientelistic exchanges differ in terms of the expected length of iterations, whereby politicians deliver benefits to voters in exchange for political support. Using newly collected V-Party data (1,844 political parties from 165 countries, 1970–2019), we identify two prominent types of clientelism that recent studies have suggested: relational clientelism and single-shot clientelism. By demonstrating that our measures of clientelism outperform existing cross-national indices, we suggest that it is important to unpack clientelistic linkages at the party level to grasp the fine-grained differences in clientelism across parties within states. We then apply our measures to the analysis of the relationship between economic development and clientelism, one of the major topics in the clientelism study. Our analysis finds that relational clientelism persists even in relatively developed countries, whereas the effect of economic development on single-shot clientelism has a curvilinear relationship. Our applications of the new measures of clientelism also show that the gap in clientelistic practices between ruling and opposition parties varies depending on the types of clientelism, tenure lengths of incumbents, and the degree of political centralization.
The Design of The Drive
Authors: Norton J L
Published: October 2023

The Chairman, in introducing the Lecturer, said they were to have the pleasure of listening to Mr NORTON, of the Engine Division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, who would talk about the design of helicopter transmission

Mr NORTON received his technical training at the Central Technical College, Birmingham, and his practical engineering training at Alfred Wiseman, Ltd, and various branches of what is now Birmid Industries, Ltd After periods in different departments of Norton Motors, Ltd (founded by his father), he joined the design and experimental staff of that firm In 1931 he set up in business on his own account as an electrical engineer In 1936 he joined the Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd (Engine Division), and later became Chief of the Engine Design Office In 1941 he was appointed Special Projects Engineer, being responsible for the design and development of power plants and special transmissions for the less conventional types of installation
Helicopter Contracting
Authors: Flint Knute
Published: October 2023

Ladies and Gentlemen I am sorry there are not seats for everybody but the size of the audience is an obvious compliment to our lecturer I really don't think Mr KNUTE FLINT needs any introduction At the age of 33 he has probably as much, or more, helicopter experience as any living man He was in command of probably the first fully operational helicopter squadron in the world m China in 1945, and personally has some 2,500 hours flying experience mainly on helicopters For the last 7½ years he has been operating his own helicopters m partnership with Mr H B Armstrong, their joint organisation is now operating 10 helicopters with a total annual utilization of about 10,000 hours which in this stage of development is a fairly formidable total
The Control of Helicopter Rotor Vibration
Authors: Payne P R
Published: October 2023

The Chairman said the subject was of paramount importance to all helicopter designers, manufacturers and operators The Association had not previously had a lecture which dealt specifically with the problem and the importance of the subject meant that such a lecture was long overdue They knew that, in spite of the claims made from time to time by sundry manufacturers, helicopters did vibrate, some to a very great extent Indeed, one eminent fixed wing designer thought that by virtue of this vibration helicopters were rather more grandiose fatigue testing machines than the conventional test equipment for the purpose
The Design of Helicopter Operating Sites
Authors: Hough H T
Published: October 2023

The Chairman said the Association were transferring their thoughts for the evening from the pure technicalities of the vehicle to the equally important problem of what facilities it required for operation, particularly for the inter-city transport role which had caught the imagination in the last two years, not only in this country but in the United States and elsewhere abroad

They had been very fortunate in that Mr Hough, the City Engineer and Surveyor of the City of Liverpool, would address them on the subject Liverpool was one of the cities in this country which had given a great deal of thought to the matter
The Application of the Jet Flap to Helicopter Rotors
Authors: Richards E J , Jones J P
Published: October 2023

During the course of fundamental research into noise suppression on jet engines, the need for a jet system which embodies quick mixing has become apparent, one way of doing this is by the use of a long thin peripheral slot in place of the usual circular nozzle Indeed noise measurements on such a jet unit indicate a reduction such as to make the use of pressure jets on helicopters once more feasible from the noise point of view
Vibration Problems associated with the Helicopter
Authors: Fitzwilliams O L L
Published: October 2023

The Chairman, in introducing the Author, said that the occasion was a very auspicious one, in that a paper was being presented by one of the founder members of the Association at a Joint Meeting with the Royal Aeronautical Society, with which the Association maintained the closest of links On behalf of the Association he welcomed the fact that a joint meeting was being held, and he welcomed those members of the Society who were present to hear a paper and discussion on a specialised helicopter subject In particular he welcomed the President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Mr E T Jones
Aerial Systems
Authors: Burberry R A
Published: October 2023

Without a good aerial system an Aircraft Radio Equipment is about as useful as a helicopter without a rotor and yet it still happens that the proper provision and siting of aerials is neglected The intention of this paper is to outline the basic requirements of aerials for the radio systems in general used on helicopters and to show how the difficulties peculiar to this class of aircraft can be overcome

CLASSIFICATION

For the purposes of this discussion three broad categories of radio equipment can be distinguished These are

1

Low frequency—i e, up to 2 Mc/s or wavelengths greater than 150 meters In this range the major aircraft dimensions are much less than the wavelength

2

High frequency (H F) 2 to 30 Mc/s or wavelengths of 150 to 10 meters in which the aircraft size is becoming comparable with the wavelength

3

Very High frequency (VHF), 100 to 300 Mc/s wavelength to 1 meter where the major aircraft dimensions are appreciably greater than the wavelength but where cross-sectional dimensions may be of the same order
Some Helicopter Turbine Installations
Authors: Morley A W
Published: October 2023

The CHAIRMAN, in introducing the Author, said that Dr MORLEY, who was Forward Projects Fngineer, D Napier & Son Ltd, had been sixteen years on the scientific staff of the Engine Department of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, and at the end of the war was deputy head of the Gas Dynamics Division, which ultimately became the Supersonics Division For three years thereafter, he had lectured on aircraft propulsion at the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield In his present position as Forward Projects Engineer with D Napier & Son Ltd, he was engaged principally on technical investigations into developments in aeronautics
The Stability of Flying Platform Type Helicopters
Authors: Opatowski T
Published: October 2023

The stability of the ‘flying platform’ type of helicopter is investigated in order to determine the margin of stability and ease of control to be expected and to show the effects of the system, weights, inertias, dimensions and aerodynamic forces

This paper deals with the theory of stability in hovering and the theory is illustrated by a numerical example of a ‘typical’ pilot and platform

The stabilizing actions of the pilot are assumed to take the form of controlling moments at his ankles in linear response to errors in his attitude, rate of change of attitude, horizontal velocity and horizontal acceleration, the constants of proportionality being termed control constants

Within this framework it is shown that in the absence of delay in the pilots’ response it always is possible to stabilize the platform Further, the size of the control constants required is determined solely by the weight and centre of gravity height of the pilot, the forces involved being of the same order as those used in standing
“All-Weather Helicopter Systems”
Authors: Gerstenberger Walter
Published: October 2023

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the meeting, said that it was a pleasure to welcome the first lecturer of the 1958/59 season Mr Gerstenberger, who was Chief of Dynamics at the Sikorsky Aircraft Division of the United Aircraft Corporation, Bridgeport and Stratford, Connecticut, would be discussing the equipment necessary for the all-weather operation of helicopters

The Association was grateful to Mr Gerstenberger and to his Company for making available the benefit of their considerable experience in this field, and they were to be congratulated on having successfully evolved very reliable systems equipment, especially in their latest machine, the HSS-1N, of which Mr Gerstenberger would be speaking this evening
‘A Theoretical Approach to some Rotor Blade Flutter and Forced Vibration Problems’
Authors: Hooper W E
Published: October 2023

A method for predicting the flutter boundaries of a helicopter rotor blade is developed which is intended to provide

(a)

an illustration of the effects of fundamental characteristics of the blade on the flutter boundaries, e g, mass axis location, flexural axis location, stiffness of control circuit, etc

(b)

a basic approach which may be developed and expanded to provide more detailed representation of any particular blade problem For example, in addition to giving the flutter boundaries for the blade, the equations in the form presented could be used to determine the response of the rotor blade to force distributions which are simple harmonics of the rotor angular velocity Another example is given at the end of this report in which the familiar blade resonance diagram is obtained for the torsion and flapping modes considering dynamic and stiffness properties only, and then again for the blade including the effect of aerodynamic damping
The Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Job Demands and Job Control
Authors: Medzo-M’engone Joseph , Bobillier Chaumon Marc-Éric , Préau Marie , Lheureux Florent
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Introduction: Using the job demands control support (JDCS) model, we examined the impact of introducing information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the working conditions of civil servants in a major public institution in Gabon. We hypothesized that perceived ICT usability moderates the temporal beneficial/detrimental (dis)continuity of job demands and job control before and after their introduction. For exploratory and complementary purposes, we also investigated changes in social support. Methods: To this end, we conducted a quantitative two-wave longitudinal study of 162 civil servants, with measures before and after the introduction of ICTs for one subsample, and compared them to another subsample for which ICTs had not already been introduced (control group). Results: At baseline (T1), the two subsamples were similar regarding JDCS variables; at follow-up (T2), civil servants without ICTs reported, on average, a slight increase in job demand and a strong decrease in job control, whereas civil servants with newly introduced ICTs reported unchanged levels of job demand and job control. Similar observations, albeit of a lesser magnitude, occurred for social support. The analyses revealed that perceived usability marginally moderated the temporal stability of job control, whereas high job control at T1 favored similarly high job control at T2 only when ICTs were perceived as very highly usable. Discussion and Conclusion: The discussion addresses the possible existence of a downward social comparison effect for civil servants without ICTs, suggests the likely role of coping strategies to explain the mixed results, examines the study contributions and limitations, and delineates practical implications.
The Potential Influence of Maritime Continent Deforestation on El Niño‐Southern Oscillation: Insights From Idealized Modeling Experiments
Authors: Lee Ting‐Hui , Yu Jin‐Yi , Lin Yong‐Fu , Lo Min‐Hui , Xiao He‐Ming
Published: October 2023

During the past two decades, the Maritime Continent (MC) has experienced increased deforestation. Here we show, with ensemble idealized deforestation experiments, that the MC deforestation could potentially alter the complexity (i.e., event‐to‐event differences) of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in terms of its spatial pattern and temporal evolution. The deforestation model run increases the occurrences of the Central Pacific and multi‐year types of ENSO compared to the control experiments. This change in ENSO complexity can be attributed to MC's intensification of the subtropical ENSO dynamics, commonly known as the seasonal footprinting mechanism. The deforestation amplifies the mean state of the subtropical high over the northeastern Pacific, leading to an increased dominance of subtropical ENSO dynamics in determining the ENSO pattern and evolution. This idealized coupled climate modeling study suggests that MC deforestation has a potential to alter ENSO's complexity, making El Niño more complex and less predictable.
On the estimation of the effect of weight change on a health outcome using observational data, by utilising the target trial emulation framework
Authors: Katsoulis M. , Lai A. G. , Kipourou D. K. , Gomes M. , Banerjee A. , Denaxas S. , Lumbers R. T. , Tsilidis K. , Kostara Maria , Belot A. , Dale C. , Sofat R. , Leyrat C. , Hemingway H. , Diaz-Ordaz K.
Published: October 2023

Background/Objectives

When studying the effect of weight change between two time points on a health outcome using observational data, two main problems arise initially (i) ‘when is time zero?’ and (ii) ‘which confounders should we account for?’ From the baseline date or the 1st follow-up (when the weight change can be measured)? Different methods have been previously used in the literature that carry different sources of bias and hence produce different results.

Methods

We utilised the target trial emulation framework and considered weight change as a hypothetical intervention. First, we used a simplified example from a hypothetical randomised trial where no modelling is required. Then we simulated data from an observational study where modelling is needed. We demonstrate the problems of each of these methods and suggest a strategy.

Interventions

weight loss/gain vs maintenance.

Results

The recommended method defines time-zero at enrolment, but adjustment for confounders (or exclusion of individuals based on levels of confounders) should be performed both at enrolment and the 1st follow-up.

Conclusions

The implementation of our suggested method [adjusting for (or excluding based on) confounders measured both at baseline and the 1st follow-up] can help researchers attenuate bias by avoiding some common pitfalls. Other methods that have been widely used in the past to estimate the effect of weight change on a health outcome are more biased. However, two issues remain (i) the exposure is not well-defined as there are different ways of changing weight (however we tried to reduce this problem by excluding individuals who develop a chronic disease); and (ii) immortal time bias, which may be small if the time to first follow up is short.
Millennial atmospheric CO2 changes linked to ocean ventilation modes over past 150,000 years
Authors: Yu J. , Anderson R. F. , Jin Z. D. , Ji X. , Thornalley D. J. R. , Wu L. , Thouveny N. , Cai Y. , Tan L. , Zhang F. , Menviel L. , Tian J. , Xie X. , Rohling E. J. , McManus J. F.
Published: October 2023

Ice core measurements show diverse atmospheric CO2 variations—increasing, decreasing or remaining stable—during millennial-scale North Atlantic cold periods called stadials. The reasons for these contrasting trends remain elusive. Ventilation of carbon-rich deep oceans can profoundly affect atmospheric CO2, but its millennial-scale history is poorly constrained. Here we present a well-dated high-resolution deep Atlantic acidity record over the past 150,000 years, which reveals five hitherto undetected modes of stadial ocean ventilation with different consequences for deep-sea carbon storage and associated atmospheric CO2 changes. Our data provide observational evidence to show that strong and often volumetrically extensive Southern Ocean ventilation released substantial amounts of deep-sea carbon during stadials when atmospheric CO2 rose prominently. By contrast, other stadials were characterized by weak ventilation via both Southern Ocean and North Atlantic, which promoted respired carbon accumulation and thus curtailed or reversed deep-sea carbon losses, resulting in diminished rises or even declines in atmospheric CO2. Our findings demonstrate that millennial-scale changes in deep-sea carbon storage and atmospheric CO2 are modulated by multiple ocean ventilation modes through the interplay of the two polar regions, rather than by the Southern Ocean alone, which is critical for comprehensive understanding of past and future carbon cycle adjustments to climate change.
The value of standards for health datasets in artificial intelligence-based applications
Authors: Arora Anmol , Alderman Joseph E. , Palmer Joanne , Ganapathi Shaswath , Laws Elinor , McCradden Melissa D. , Oakden-Rayner Lauren , Pfohl Stephen R. , Ghassemi Marzyeh , McKay Francis , Treanor Darren , Rostamzadeh Negar , Mateen Bilal , Gath Jacqui , Adebajo Adewole O. , Kuku Stephanie , Matin Rubeta , Heller Katherine , Sapey Elizabeth , Sebire Neil J. , Cole-Lewis Heather , Calvert Melanie , Denniston Alastair , Liu Xiaoxuan
Published: October 2023

Artificial intelligence as a medical device is increasingly being applied to healthcare for diagnosis, risk stratification and resource allocation. However, a growing body of evidence has highlighted the risk of algorithmic bias, which may perpetuate existing health inequity. This problem arises in part because of systemic inequalities in dataset curation, unequal opportunity to participate in research and inequalities of access. This study aims to explore existing standards, frameworks and best practices for ensuring adequate data diversity in health datasets. Exploring the body of existing literature and expert views is an important step towards the development of consensus-based guidelines. The study comprises two parts: a systematic review of existing standards, frameworks and best practices for healthcare datasets; and a survey and thematic analysis of stakeholder views of bias, health equity and best practices for artificial intelligence as a medical device. We found that the need for dataset diversity was well described in literature, and experts generally favored the development of a robust set of guidelines, but there were mixed views about how these could be implemented practically. The outputs of this study will be used to inform the development of standards for transparency of data diversity in health datasets (the STANDING Together initiative).
Neuronal types in the mouse amygdala and their transcriptional response to fear conditioning
Authors: Hochgerner Hannah , Singh Shelly , Tibi Muhammad , Lin Zhige , Skarbianskis Niv , Admati Inbal , Ophir Osnat , Reinhardt Nuphar , Netser Shai , Wagner Shlomo , Zeisel Amit
Published: October 2023

The amygdala is a brain region primarily associated with emotional response. The use of genetic markers and single-cell transcriptomics can provide insights into behavior-associated cell state changes. Here we present a detailed cell-type taxonomy of the adult mouse amygdala during fear learning and memory consolidation. We perform single-cell RNA sequencing on naïve and fear-conditioned mice, identify 130 neuronal cell types and validate their spatial distributions. A subset of all neuronal types is transcriptionally responsive to fear learning and memory retrieval. The activated engram cells upregulate activity-response genes and coordinate the expression of genes associated with neurite outgrowth, synaptic signaling, plasticity and development. We identify known and previously undescribed candidate genes responsive to fear learning. Our molecular atlas may be used to generate hypotheses to unveil the neuron types and neural circuits regulating the emotional component of learning and memory.
Hyperspectral images of grapevine leaves including healthy leaves and leaves with biotic and abiotic symptoms
Authors: Ryckewaert Maxime , Héran Daphné , Trani Jean-Philippe , Mas-Garcia Silvia , Feilhes Carole , Prezman Fanny , Serrano Eric , Bendoula Ryad
Published: October 2023

A hyperspectral imaging database was collected on two hundred and five grape plant leaves. Leaves were measured with a hyperspectral camera in the visible/near infrared spectral range under controlled conditions. This dataset contains hyperspectral acquisition of grape leaves of seven different varieties. For each variety, acquisitions were performed on healthy leaves and leaves with foliar symptoms caused by different grapevine diseases showing clear symptoms of biotic or abiotic stress on other organs. For each leaf, chemical measurements such as chlorophyll and flavonol contents were also performed.
(Mis)align: a simple dynamic framework for modeling interpersonal coordination
Authors: Miao Grace Qiyuan , Dale Rick , Galati Alexia
Published: October 2023

As people coordinate in daily interactions, they engage in different patterns of behavior to achieve successful outcomes. This includes both synchrony—the temporal coordination of the same behaviors at the same time—and complementarity—the coordination of the same or different behaviors that may occur at different relative times. Using computational methods, we develop a simple framework to describe the interpersonal dynamics of behavioral synchrony and complementarity over time, and explore their task-dependence. A key feature of this framework is the inclusion of a task context that mediates interactions, and consists of active, inactive, and inhibitory constraints on communication. Initial simulation results show that these task constraints can be a robust predictor of simulated agents’ behaviors over time. We also show that the framework can reproduce some general patterns observed in human interaction data. We describe preliminary theoretical implications from these results, and relate them to broader proposals of synergistic self-organization in communication.
All optical modulation in vertically coupled indium tin oxide ring resonator employing epsilon near zero state
Authors: Rajput Swati , Kaushik Vishal , Babu Prem , Pandey Suresh K. , Kumar Mukesh
Published: October 2023

We present an innovative approach to achieve all-optical modulation within an ITO-based vertically coupled ring resonator. This method leverages the material's enhanced nonlinear response in the near-infrared wavelengths, particularly within the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) state. To enhance the interaction between light and the material while minimizing scattering losses, our approach employs an ITO-based vertically connected ring resonator. The vertical arrangement eliminates the need for etching fine gaps to separate the ring and bus waveguide. The novel waveguide design addresses the necessity of high sensitivity, non-linear effects and compact size opening the possibilities for all-optical signal processing. This unique resonator structure effectively facilitates the coupling of a high-intensity pump wavelength into the ITO-based micro-ring resonator. Consequently, this optical pumping induces electron heating within the ITO material, leading to a significant increase in its nonlinear optical properties. This, in turn, results in a noteworthy alteration of ITO's refractive index, specifically in the unity order, thereby modifying the complex effective index of the optical beam propagating at 1550 nm. Our experimental findings demonstrate an impressive extinction ratio of 18 dB for a 30 µm long device, which highlights the efficiency of our approach in achieving all-optical modulation through the optical pumping of an ITO-based vertically coupled ring resonator. The proposed all-optical modulator has outperformed as compared to conventional waveguide-based modulators in terms of extinction ratio and footprint. This novel technique holds immense potential for advancing high-speed data communication systems in the future. As the demand for advanced processing capabilities, such as artificial intelligence, continues to grow, all-optical modulation emerges as a groundbreaking technology poised to revolutionize the next generation of computing and communication systems.
Environmental stiffness restores mechanical homeostasis in vimentin-depleted cells
Authors: Grolleman Janine , van Engeland Nicole C. A. , Raza Minahil , Azimi Sepinoud , Conte Vito , Sahlgren Cecilia M. , Bouten Carlijn V. C.
Published: October 2023

Recent experimental evidence indicates a role for the intermediate filament vimentin in regulating cellular mechanical homeostasis, but its precise contribution remains to be discovered. Mechanical homeostasis requires a balanced bi-directional interplay between the cell’s microenvironment and the cellular morphological and mechanical state—this balance being regulated via processes of mechanotransduction and mechanoresponse, commonly referred to as mechanoreciprocity. Here, we systematically analyze vimentin-expressing and vimentin-depleted cells in a swatch of in vitro cellular microenvironments varying in stiffness and/or ECM density. We find that vimentin-expressing cells maintain mechanical homeostasis by adapting cellular morphology and mechanics to micromechanical changes in the microenvironment. However, vimentin-depleted cells lose this mechanoresponse ability on short timescales, only to reacquire it on longer time scales. Indeed, we find that the morphology and mechanics of vimentin-depleted cell in stiffened microenvironmental conditions can get restored to the homeostatic levels of vimentin-expressing cells. Additionally, we observed vimentin-depleted cells increasing collagen matrix synthesis and its crosslinking, a phenomenon which is known to increase matrix stiffness, and which we now hypothesize to be a cellular compensation mechanism for the loss of vimentin. Taken together, our findings provide further insight in the regulating role of intermediate filament vimentin in mediating mechanoreciprocity and mechanical homeostasis.
Purine metabolism-related genes and immunization in thyroid eye disease were validated using bioinformatics and machine learning
Authors: Wu Zixuan , Gao Yuan , Cao Liyuan , Peng Qinghua , Yao Xiaolei
Published: October 2023

Thyroid eye disease (TED), an autoimmune inflammatory disorder affecting the orbit, exhibits a range of clinical manifestations. While the disease presentation can vary, cases that adhere to a prototypical pattern typically commence with mild symptoms that subsequently escalate in severity before entering a phase of stabilization. Notably, the metabolic activity of cells implicated in the disease substantially deviates from that of healthy cells, with purine metabolism representing a critical facet of cellular material metabolism by supplying components essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. Nevertheless, the precise involvement of Purine Metabolism Genes (PMGs) in the defensive mechanism against TED remains largely unexplored. The present study employed a bioinformatics approach to identify and validate potential PMGs associated with TED. A curated set of 65 candidate PMGs was utilized to uncover novel PMGs through a combination of differential expression analysis and a PMG dataset. Furthermore, GSEA and GSVA were employed to explore the biological functions and pathways associated with the newly identified PMGs. Subsequently, the Lasso regression and SVM-RFE algorithms were applied to identify hub genes and assess the diagnostic efficacy of the top 10 PMGs in distinguishing TED. Additionally, the relationship between hub PMGs and clinical characteristics was investigated. Finally, the expression levels of the identified ten PMGs were validated using the GSE58331 and GSE105149 datasets. This study revealed ten PMGs related with TED. PRPS2, PFAS, ATIC, NT5C1A, POLR2E, POLR2F, POLR3B, PDE3A, ADSS, and NTPCR are among the PMGs. The biological function investigation revealed their participation in processes such as RNA splicing, purine-containing chemical metabolism, and purine nucleotide metabolism. Furthermore, the diagnostic performance of the 10 PMGs in differentiating TED was encouraging. This study was effective in identifying ten PMGs linked to TED. These findings provide light on potential new biomarkers for TED and open up possibilities for tracking disease development.
Abnormal centriolar biomarker ratios correlate with unexplained bull artificial insemination subfertility: a pilot study
Authors: Turner Katerina A. , Achinger Luke , Kong Dong , Kluczynski Derek F. , Fishman Emily Lillian , Phillips Audrey , Saltzman Barbara , Loncarek Jadranka , Harstine Bo R. , Avidor-Reiss Tomer
Published: October 2023

The mechanisms underlying male infertility are poorly understood. Most mammalian spermatozoa have two centrioles: the typical barrel-shaped proximal centriole (PC) and the atypical fan-like distal centriole (DC) connected to the axoneme (Ax). These structures are essential for fertility. However, the relationship between centriole quality and subfertility (reduced fertility) is not well established. Here, we tested the hypothesis that assessing sperm centriole quality can identify cattle subfertility. By comparing sperm from 25 fertile and 6 subfertile bulls, all with normal semen analyses, we found that unexplained subfertility and lower sire conception rates (pregnancy rate from artificial insemination in cattle) correlate with abnormal centriolar biomarker distribution. Fluorescence-based Ratiometric Analysis of Sperm Centrioles (FRAC) found only four fertile bulls (4/25, 16%) had positive FRAC tests (having one or more mean FRAC ratios outside of the distribution range in a group’s high-quality sperm population), whereas all of the subfertile bulls (6/6, 100%) had positive FRAC tests (P = 0.00008). The most sensitive biomarker was acetylated tubulin, which had a novel labeling pattern between the DC and Ax. These data suggest that FRAC and acetylated tubulin labeling can identify bull subfertility that remains undetected by current methods and may provide insight into a novel mechanism of subfertility.