bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced‐Order Modeling for Linearized Representations of Microphysical Process Rates
Authors: Lamb K. D. , van Lier‐Walqui M. , Santos S. , Morrison H.
Published: July 2024

Representing cloud microphysical processes in large scale atmospheric models is challenging because many processes depend on the details of the droplet size distribution (DSD, the spectrum of droplets with different sizes in a cloud). While full or partial statistical moments of droplet size distributions are the typical variables used in bulk models, prognostic moments are limited in their ability to represent microphysical processes across the range of conditions experienced in the atmosphere. Microphysical parameterizations employing prognostic moments are known to suffer from structural uncertainty in their representations of inherently higher dimensional cloud processes, which limit model fidelity and lead to forecasting errors. Here we investigate how data‐driven reduced‐order modeling can be used to learn predictors for microphysical process rates in bulk microphysics schemes in an unsupervised manner from higher dimensional bin distributions. Using simulations characteristic of marine stratiform clouds, we simultaneously learn lower dimensional representations of droplet size distributions and predict the evolution of the microphysical state of the system. Droplet collision‐coalescence, the main process for generating warm rain, is estimated to have an intrinsic dimension of three. This intrinsic dimension provides a lower limit on the number of degrees of freedom needed to accurately represent collision‐coalescence in models. We demonstrate how deep learning based reduced‐order modeling can be used to discover intrinsic coordinates describing the microphysical state of the system, where process rates such as collision‐coalescence are globally linearized. These implicitly learned representations of the DSD retain more information about the DSD than typical moment‐based representations.
Evolution of the Leader Discharge in Bi‐Directional Propagation System in Altitude‐Triggered Lightning
Authors: Li Xiao , Li Peng , Cao Baofeng , Li Xiaoqiang , Lu Gaopeng , Chang Yunfen , Zhang Xiong , Wei Yongli , Li Zongxiang , Zhang Yang , Lyu Weitao
Published: July 2024

On 18 June 2023, comprehensive observations were conducted to an altitude‐triggered lightning flash. Upward positive leader (UPL) and downward negative leader (DNL) in a bi‐directional development system were detected simultaneously by a high‐speed camera, together with the coordinated measurements of magnetic field and very‐high‐frequency (VHF) emissions. High‐speed images reveal, for the first time, the enhancement of the UPL's propagation speed by DNL in the bi‐directional leader system. Concretely, the upward positive leader initially originates from a suspended wire tip and propagates at a two dimensional (2D) speed of 5.32 × 104 m/s, and after about 6.3 ms, its propagation speed was enhanced to 1.12 × 105 m/s when the stepped DNL started advancing at an average speed of 1.44 × 105 m/s. Additionally, based on the evolution of channel luminosity and the variations of magnetic radiation, it is found that there is a consistency in luminosity variation between the ascending channel and the descending channel in the bi‐directional leader system, and the amplitude of the magnetic field increases when the negative discharges start at the bottom wire end with intensive VHF emissions. Those facts indicate that the DNL has an effect, may be a positive one, on the UPL's development in the early stage of altitude‐triggered lightning.
The metabolic consequences of ‘yo-yo’ dieting are markedly influenced by genetic diversity
Authors: Thillainadesan Senthil , Lambert Aaron , Cooke Kristen C. , Stöckli Jacqueline , Yau Belinda , Masson Stewart W. C. , Howell Anna , Potter Meg , Fuller Oliver K. , Jiang Yi Lin , Kebede Melkam A. , Morahan Grant , James David E. , Madsen Søren , Hocking Samantha L.
Published: July 2024

Background

Weight loss can improve the metabolic complications of obesity. However, it is unclear whether insulin resistance persists despite weight loss and whether any protective benefits are preserved following weight regain (weight cycling). The impact of genetic background on weight cycling is undocumented. We aimed to investigate the effects of weight loss and weight cycling on metabolic outcomes and sought to clarify the role of genetics in this relationship.

Method

Both C57BL/6 J and genetically heterogeneous Diversity Outbred Australia (DOz) mice were alternately fed high fat Western-style diet (WD) and a chow diet at 8-week intervals. Metabolic measures including body composition, glucose tolerance, pancreatic beta cell activity, liver lipid levels and adipose tissue insulin sensitivity were determined.

Results

After diet switch from WD (8-week) to chow (8-week), C57BL/6 J mice displayed a rapid normalisation of body weight, adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, liver lipid levels and glucose uptake into adipose tissue comparable to chow-fed controls. In response to the same dietary intervention, genetically diverse DOz mice conversely maintained significantly higher fat mass and insulin levels compared to chow-fed controls and exhibited much more profound interindividual variability than C57BL/6 J mice. Weight cycled (WC) animals were re-exposed to WD (8-week) and compared to age-matched controls fed 8-week WD for the first time (LOb). In C57BL/6 J but not DOz mice, WC animals had significantly higher blood insulin levels than LOb controls. All WC animals exhibited significantly greater beta cell activity than LOb controls despite similar fat mass, glucose tolerance, liver lipid levels and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipose tissue.

Conclusion

Following weight loss, metabolic outcomes return to baseline in C57BL/6 J mice with obesity. However, genetic diversity significantly impacts this response. A period of weight loss does not provide lasting benefits after weight regain, and weight cycling is detrimental and associated with hyperinsulinemia and elevated basal insulin secretion.
High-rate intercity quantum key distribution with a semiconductor single-photon source
Authors: Yang Jingzhong , Jiang Zenghui , Benthin Frederik , Hanel Joscha , Fandrich Tom , Joos Raphael , Bauer Stephanie , Kolatschek Sascha , Hreibi Ali , Rugeramigabo Eddy Patrick , Jetter Michael , Portalupi Simone Luca , Zopf Michael , Michler Peter , Kück Stefan , Ding Fei
Published: July 2024

Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables the transmission of information that is secure against general attacks by eavesdroppers. The use of on-demand quantum light sources in QKD protocols is expected to help improve security and maximum tolerable loss. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are a promising building block for quantum communication applications because of the deterministic emission of single photons with high brightness and low multiphoton contribution. Here we report on the first intercity QKD experiment using a bright deterministic single photon source. A BB84 protocol based on polarisation encoding is realised using the high-rate single photons in the telecommunication C-band emitted from a semiconductor QD embedded in a circular Bragg grating structure. Utilising the 79 km long link with 25.49 dB loss (equivalent to 130 km for the direct-connected optical fibre) between the German cities of Hannover and Braunschweig, a record-high secret key bits per pulse of 4.8 × 10−5 with an average quantum bit error ratio of ~ 0.65% are demonstrated. An asymptotic maximum tolerable loss of 28.11 dB is found, corresponding to a length of 144 km of standard telecommunication fibre. Deterministic semiconductor sources therefore challenge state-of-the-art QKD protocols and have the potential to excel in measurement device independent protocols and quantum repeater applications.
Brillouin expanded time-domain analysis based on dual optical frequency combs
Authors: Youn Jae Hyeong , Song Kwang Yong , Martin-Lopez Sonia , Gonzalez-Herraez Miguel , Fernández-Ruiz María R.
Published: July 2024

Brillouin Optical Time-Domain Analysis (BOTDA) is a widely-used distributed optical fiber sensing technology employing pulse-modulated pump waves for local information retrieval of the Brillouin gain or loss spectra. The spatial resolution of BOTDA systems is intrinsically linked to pulse duration, so high-resolution measurements demand high electronic bandwidths inversely proportional to the resolution. This paper introduces Brillouin Expanded Time-Domain Analysis (BETDA) as a modified BOTDA system, simultaneously achieving high spatial resolution and low detection bandwidth. Utilizing two optical frequency combs (OFCs) with different frequency intervals as pump and probe, local Brillouin gain spectra are recorded by their spectral beating traces in an expanded time domain. A 2-cm-long hotspot located in a 230 m single-mode fiber is successfully measured in the time domain with a detection bandwidth of less than 100 kHz using dual OFCs with tailored spectral phase, line spacing, and bandwidth.
Schlafen 11 further sensitizes BRCA-deficient cells to PARP inhibitors through single-strand DNA gap accumulation behind replication forks
Authors: Onji Hiroshi , Tate Sota , Sakaue Tomohisa , Fujiwara Kohei , Nakano Shiho , Kawaida Miho , Onishi Nobuyuki , Matsumoto Takashi , Yamagami Wataru , Sugiyama Takashi , Higashiyama Shigeki , Pommier Yves , Kobayashi Yusuke , Murai Junko
Published: July 2024

The preferential response to PARP inhibitors (PARPis) in BRCA-deficient and Schlafen 11 (SLFN11)-expressing ovarian cancers has been documented, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. As the accumulation of single-strand DNA (ssDNA) gaps behind replication forks is key for the lethality effect of PARPis, we investigated the combined effects of SLFN11 expression and BRCA deficiency on PARPi sensitivity and ssDNA gap formation in human cancer cells. PARPis increased chromatin-bound RPA2 and ssDNA gaps in SLFN11-expressing cells and even more in cells with BRCA1 or BRCA2 deficiency. SLFN11 was co-localized with chromatin-bound RPA2 under PARPis treatment, with enhanced recruitment in BRCA2-deficient cells. Notably, the chromatin-bound SLFN11 under PARPis did not block replication, contrary to its function under replication stress. SLFN11 recruitment was attenuated by the inactivation of MRE11. Hence, under PARPi treatment, MRE11 expression and BRCA deficiency lead to ssDNA gaps behind replication forks, where SLFN11 binds and increases their accumulation. As ovarian cancer patients who responded (progression-free survival >2 years) to olaparib maintenance therapy had a significantly higher SLFN11-positivity than short-responders (<6 months), our findings provide a mechanistic understanding of the favorable responses to PARPis in SLFN11-expressing and BRCA-deficient tumors. It highlight the clinical implications of SLFN11.
Equity-diversity-inclusion (EDI)-related strategies used by dental schools during the admission/selection process: a narrative review
Authors: Ardenghi Diego Machado , Grazziotin-Soares Renata , Papagerakis Silvana , Papagerakis Petros
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Decades of evidence have demonstrated a lack of workforce diversity and sustaining disparities in academic dentistry and professional practice. Underrepresented minority students may face challenges and implicit bias during the dental schools‘ admission/selection process. This review collected papers from different countries to summarize the Equity-Diversity-Inclusion (EDI)-related strategies that dental schools worldwide have used in their admissions process to increase diversity.

Methods

A comprehensive search using MEDLINE (via PubMed), ERIC, Cochrane Reviews, Cochrane Trials, American Psychological Association Psyc Info (EBSCO) and Scopus was done between January and March-2023. All types of articles-designs were included, except comments and editorials, and all articles selected were in English. Two independent investigators screened the articles. Extracted data were general characteristics, study objectives, and EDI-related strategies.

Results

Sixteen publications were used to construct this manuscript. The year with the greatest number of publications was 2022. Type of studies were case studies/critical reviews (50%), cross-sectional (including survey and secondary data analysis) (n = 5, 31.25%), qualitative methods of analysis (n = 2, 12.5%), and retrospective/secondary data collection (n = 1, 6.25%). The strategies described in the articles were related to (1) considering the intersectionality of diversity, (2) using noncognitive indicators during the school admissions process to construct a holistic selection process, (3) diversifying, professionalizing, and providing training to admissions persons who had leadership roles with the support from the dental school and the university, and (4) allocating financial investments and analyzing current policies and procedures regarding EDI.

Conclusions

This review aggregated interesting findings, such as: some schools are considering the intersectionality of diversity as a way to include underrepresented minorities and to diversify the students-body. The recent growth in publications on EDI during dental admission/selection process might indicate a positive movement in this field.
Ecological genetics of isolated loach populations indicate compromised adaptive potential
Authors: Wang Xi , Reid Kerry , Chen Ying , Dudgeon David , Merilä Juha
Published: July 2024

Many endangered species live in fragmented and isolated populations with low genetic variability, signs of inbreeding, and small effective population sizes - all features elevating their extinction risk. The flat-headed loach (Oreonectes platycephalus), a small noemacheilid fish, is widely across southern China, but only in the headwaters of hillstreams; as a result, they are spatially isolated from conspecific populations. We surveyed single nucleotide polymorphisms in 16 Hong Kong populations of O. platycephalus to determine whether loach populations from different streams were genetically isolated from each other, showed low levels of genetic diversity, signs of inbreeding, and had small contemporary effective population sizes. Estimates of average observed heterozygosity (HO = 0.0473), average weighted nucleotide diversity (πw = 0.0546) and contemporary effective population sizes (Ne = 10.2 ~ 129.8) were very low, and several populations showed clear signs of inbreeding as judged from relatedness estimates. The degree of genetic differentiation among populations was very high (average FST = 0.668), even over short geographic distances (<1.5 km), with clear patterns of isolation by distance. These results suggest that Hong Kong populations of O. platycephalus have experienced strong genetic drift and loss of genetic variability because sea-level rise after the last glaciation reduced connectedness among paleodrainages, isolating populations in headwaters. All this, together with the fact that the levels of genetic diversity and contemporary effective population sizes within O. platycephalus populations are lower than most other freshwater fishes, suggests that they face high local extinction risk and have limited capacity for future adaptation.
Temporal dynamics and persistence of resistance genes to broad spectrum antibiotics in an urban community
Authors: Javvadi Yamini , Mohan S. Venkata
Published: July 2024

The constantly evolving and growing global health crisis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), endangers progress in medicine, food production, and life expectancy. Limited data on population-level prevalence, including seasonal and temporal variations, hampers accurate risk assessment for AMR transmission, despite its paramount importance on both global and national fronts. In this study, we used quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) to analyze 123 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and 13 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in wastewater of a selected urban community. Sampling was conducted monthly over a 5-month period (December 2021–April 2022) to assess resistance diversity, temporal dynamics, co-abundance of ARGs, MGEs, and resistance mechanisms. Approximately 50% of the tested ARG subtypes were consistently detected in all months, with frequency ranging from 52 to 61% with maximum absolute abundance in the winter months (December and January). In co-abundance analysis, specific genes were clustered into modules, highlighting shared distribution patterns and functional associations among the ARGs and MGEs. Detected clinically significant genes (ndm-1 and cfiA) and other variants (blaoxy, aph, aacC, tet-35, tet M, tet-32) are capable of imparting resistance to 3rd and 4th generation (gen) β-lactam, aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and multidrug classes. These contribute significantly to core/persistent resistance. This study deepens our comprehension of temporal/seasonal fluctuations in ARG and MGE distribution, providing valuable evidence to guide AMR control policies and promote responsible antibiotic/antimicrobial use for preserving effectiveness.
Unravelling quantum dynamics using flow equations
Authors: Thomson S. J. , Eisert J.
Published: July 2024

The study of many-body quantum dynamics in strongly correlated systems is extremely challenging. To date, few numerical methods exist that are capable of simulating the non-equilibrium dynamics of two-dimensional quantum systems, which is partly due to complexity theoretic obstructions. In this work, we present a technique able to overcome this obstacle, by combining continuous unitary flow techniques with the newly developed method of scrambling transforms. We overcome the assumption that approximately diagonalizing the Hamiltonian cannot lead to reliable predictions for relatively long times. Rather, we show that the method achieves good accuracy in both localized and delocalized phases and makes reliable predictions for a number of quantities including infinite-temperature autocorrelation functions. We complement our findings with rigorous incremental bounds on the truncation error. Our approach shows that, in practice, the exploration of intermediate-scale time evolution may be more feasible than is commonly assumed, challenging near-term quantum simulators.
Middle and Late Pleistocene Denisovan subsistence at Baishiya Karst Cave
Authors: Xia Huan , Zhang Dongju , Wang Jian , Fagernäs Zandra , Li Ting , Li Yuanxin , Yao Juanting , Lin Dongpeng , Troché Gaudry , Smith Geoff M. , Chen Xiaoshan , Cheng Ting , Shen Xuke , Han Yuanyuan , Olsen Jesper V. , Shen Zhongwei , Pei Zhiqi , Hublin Jean-Jacques , Chen Fahu , Welker Frido
Published: July 2024

Genetic and fragmented palaeoanthropological data suggest that Denisovans were once widely distributed across eastern Eurasia1–3. Despite limited archaeological evidence, this indicates that Denisovans were capable of adapting to a highly diverse range of environments. Here we integrate zooarchaeological and proteomic analyses of the late Middle to Late Pleistocene faunal assemblage from Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau, where a Denisovan mandible and Denisovan sedimentary mitochondrial DNA were found3,4. Using zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry, we identify a new hominin rib specimen that dates to approximately 48–32 thousand years ago (layer 3). Shotgun proteomic analysis taxonomically assigns this specimen to the Denisovan lineage, extending their presence at Baishiya Karst Cave well into the Late Pleistocene. Throughout the stratigraphic sequence, the faunal assemblage is dominated by Caprinae, together with megaherbivores, carnivores, small mammals and birds. The high proportion of anthropogenic modifications on the bone surfaces suggests that Denisovans were the primary agent of faunal accumulation. The chaîne opératoire of carcass processing indicates that animal taxa were exploited for their meat, marrow and hides, while bone was also used as raw material for the production of tools. Our results shed light on the behaviour of Denisovans and their adaptations to the diverse and fluctuating environments of the late Middle and Late Pleistocene of eastern Eurasia.
Cytokine expression profiles in children and adolescents with tic disorders
Authors: Kutuk Meryem Ozlem , Tufan Ali Evren , Kilicaslan Fethiye , Gokcen Cem , Aksu Gulen Guler , Yektas Cigdem , Kandemir Hasan , Celik Fatma , Mutluer Tuba , Buber Ahmet , Karadag Mehmet , Coban Nurdan , Coskun Seyma , Hangul Zehra , Altintas Ebru , Acikbas Ufuk , Giray Asli , Aka Yeliz , Basturk Bilkay , Kutuk Ozgur
Published: July 2024

The etiology of tic disorders (TDs) is not precisely known, although several lines of evidence suggest involvement of the immune system in pathogenesis. Here, we aimed to determine the expression levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in children with TD and compare them with those of healthy controls. Furthermore, we also evaluated their association with clinical variables in the TD group. Within the study period, 88 children with tic disorders and 111 healthy control children were enrolled. Most children with tic disorders were diagnosed with Tourette’s disorder (n = 47, 53.4%) or persistent motor tic disorder (n = 39, 44.3%), while the remainder (n = 2, 2.3%) were diagnosed with persistent vocal tic disorder. We found that children with tic disorders had significantly elevated levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-4 expression, while we detected lower expression levels of IL-17 in children with tic disorders. Our findings provide a molecular landscape of cytokine expression in children with TD, which may suggest a proinflammatory state not affected by the presence of comorbidity and symptom severity. Delineating the contribution of alterations in the immune system to the pathogenesis of tic disorders may pave the way for better therapeutic interventions.
Spectral enhancement of PlanetScope using Sentinel-2 images to estimate soybean yield and seed composition
Authors: Sarkar Supria , Sagan Vasit , Bhadra Sourav , Fritschi Felix B.
Published: July 2024

Soybean is an essential crop to fight global food insecurity and is of great economic importance around the world. Along with genetic improvements aimed at boosting yield, soybean seed composition also changed. Since conditions during crop growth and development influences nutrient accumulation in soybean seeds, remote sensing offers a unique opportunity to estimate seed traits from the standing crops. Capturing phenological developments that influence seed composition requires frequent satellite observations at higher spatial and spectral resolutions. This study introduces a novel spectral fusion technique called multiheaded kernel-based spectral fusion (MKSF) that combines the higher spatial resolution of PlanetScope (PS) and spectral bands from Sentinel 2 (S2) satellites. The study also focuses on using the additional spectral bands and different statistical machine learning models to estimate seed traits, e.g., protein, oil, sucrose, starch, ash, fiber, and yield. The MKSF was trained using PS and S2 image pairs from different growth stages and predicted the potential VNIR1 (705 nm), VNIR2 (740 nm), VNIR3 (783 nm), SWIR1 (1610 nm), and SWIR2 (2190 nm) bands from the PS images. Our results indicate that VNIR3 prediction performance was the highest followed by VNIR2, VNIR1, SWIR1, and SWIR2. Among the seed traits, sucrose yielded the highest predictive performance with RFR model. Finally, the feature importance analysis revealed the importance of MKSF-generated vegetation indices from fused images.
A machine learning decision criterion for reducing scan time for hyperspectral neutron computed tomography systems
Authors: Tang Shimin , Venkatakrishnan Singanallur V. , Chowdhury Mohammad S. N. , Yang Diyu , Gober Megan , Nelson George J. , Cekanova Maria , Biris Alexandru S. , Buzzard Gregery T. , Bouman Charles A. , Skorpenske Harley D. , Bilheux Hassina Z.
Published: July 2024

We present the first machine learning-based autonomous hyperspectral neutron computed tomography experiment performed at the Spallation Neutron Source. Hyperspectral neutron computed tomography allows the characterization of samples by enabling the reconstruction of crystallographic information and elemental/isotopic composition of objects relevant to materials science. High quality reconstructions using traditional algorithms such as the filtered back projection require a high signal-to-noise ratio across a wide wavelength range combined with a large number of projections. This results in scan times of several days to acquire hundreds of hyperspectral projections, during which end users have minimal feedback. To address these challenges, a golden ratio scanning protocol combined with model-based image reconstruction algorithms have been proposed. This novel approach enables high quality real-time reconstructions from streaming experimental data, thus providing feedback to users, while requiring fewer yet a fixed number of projections compared to the filtered back projection method. In this paper, we propose a novel machine learning criterion that can terminate a streaming neutron tomography scan once sufficient information is obtained based on the current set of measurements. Our decision criterion uses a quality score which combines a reference-free image quality metric computed using a pre-trained deep neural network with a metric that measures differences between consecutive reconstructions. The results show that our method can reduce the measurement time by approximately a factor of five compared to a baseline method based on filtered back projection for the samples we studied while automatically terminating the scans.
Inhibition of microbially mediated total organic carbon decomposition in different types of cadmium contaminated soils with wheat straw addition
Authors: Li Chengjuan , Wang Hui , Yang Yajun , Liu Hexiang , Fang Xianhui , Zhang Yaohui , Lv Jialong
Published: July 2024

Wheat straw returning is a common agronomic measure in the farmland. Understanding organic carbon transformation is of great significance for carbon budget under the premise of widespread distribution of cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils. An incubation experiment was conducted to assess the influence of Cd contamination on the decomposition and accumulation of total organic carbon (TOC) as well as the composition and abundance of bacterial communities in eight soil types with wheat straw addition. The results showed that inhibition of Cd contamination on microbially mediated organic carbon decomposition was affected by soil types. The lower cumulative C mineralization and higher TOC content could be observed in the acidic soils relative to that in the alkaline soils. The content of Cd in soil exhibits different effects on the inhibition in decomposition of TOC. The high dosage level of Cd had stronger inhibitory impact due to its high toxicity. The decomposition of TOC was restricted by a reduction in soil bacterial abundance and weakening of bacterial activities. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that Proteobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes were abundant in alkaline Cd-contaminated soils with wheat straw addition, while Bacteroidetes dominated cumulative C mineralization in acidic Cd-contamination soils. Moreover, the abundance of predicted functional bacteria indicated that high-dose Cd-contamination and acid environment all inhibited the decomposition of TOC. The present study suggested that pH played an important role on carbon dynamics in the Cd-contaminated soils with wheat straw addition.
Antimicrobial peptide 2K4L inhibits the inflammatory response in macrophages and Caenorhabditis elegans and protects against LPS-induced septic shock in mice
Authors: Ji Fangyu , Tian Guoxu , Shang Dejing
Published: July 2024

2K4L is a rationally designed analog of the short α-helical peptide temporin-1CEc, a natural peptide isolated and purified from the skin secretions of the Chinese brown frog Rana chensinensis by substituting amino acid residues. 2K4L displayed improved and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity than temporin-1CEc in vitro. Here, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of 2K4L in macrophages, C. elegans and mice were investigated. The results demonstrated that 2K4L could enter THP-1 cells to kill a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain (MRAB 0227) and a sensitive A. baumannii strain (AB 22933), as well as reduce proinflammatory responses induced by MRAB 0227 by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. Similarly, 2K4L exhibited strong bactericidal activity against A. baumannii uptake into C. elegans, extending the lifespan and healthspan of the nematodes. Meanwhile, 2K4L alleviated the oxidative stress response by inhibiting the expression of core genes in the p38 MAPK/PMK-1 signaling pathway and downregulating the phosphorylation level of p38, thereby protecting the nematodes from damage by A. baumannii. Finally, in an LPS-induced septic model, 2K4L enhanced the survival of septic mice and decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the signaling protein expression of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways and protecting LPS-induced septic mice from a lethal inflammatory response. In conclusion, 2K4L ameliorated LPS-induced inflammation both in vitro and in vivo.
Research on path planning for clear aligner flexible manufacturing
Authors: Huang Kuntao , Gao Sheng , Zou Cheng , Zhang Cong , Peng Yili , Liu Xi
Published: July 2024

In recent years, clear aligner can enhance individual appearance with dental defects, so it used more and more widely. However, in manufacturing process, there are still some problems, such as low degree of automation and high equipment cost. The problem of coordinate system mismatch between gingival curve point cloud and dental CAD model is faced to. The PCA-ICP registration algorithm is proposed, which includes coarse match algorithm and improve-ICP registration algorithm. The principal component analysis (PCA) based method can roughly find the posture relationship between the two point clouds. Using z-level dynamic hierarchical, the ICP registration can accurately find the posture between these two clouds. The final registration maximum distance error is 0.03 mm, which is smaller than robot machining error. Secondly, the clear aligner machining process is conducted to verify the registration effectiveness. Before machining, the path is generated based on the well registered gingival curve. After full registration, the tool path is calculated by establishing a local coordinate system between the workpiece and the tool to avoid interference. This path is calculated and generated as an executable program for ABB industrial robots. Finally, the robot was used for flexible cutting of clear aligners and was able to extract products, ensuring the effectiveness of the proposed research. This method can effectively solve the limitations of traditional milling path planning under such complex conditions.
Unraveling the genetic tapestry of pediatric sarcomeric cardiomyopathies and masquerading phenocopies in Jordan
Authors: Azab Bilal , Aburizeg Dunia , Shaaban Sherin T. , Ji Weizhen , Mustafa Lina , Isbeih Nooredeen Jamal , Al-Akily Amal Saleh , Mohammad Hashim , Jeffries Lauren , Khokha Mustafa , Lakhani Saquib A. , Al-Ammouri Iyad
Published: July 2024

Pediatric cardiomyopathies are mostly attributed to variants in sarcomere-related genes. Unfortunately, the genetic architecture of pediatric cardiomyopathies has never been previously studied in Jordan. We sought to uncover the genetic landscape of 14 patients from nine families with several subtypes of pediatric cardiomyopathies in Jordan using Exome sequencing (ES). Our investigation identified pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in seven out of nine families (77.8%), clustering in sarcomere-related genes. Surprisingly, phenocopies of sarcomere-related hypertrophic cardiomyopathies were evident in probands with glycogen storage disorder and mitochondrial-related disease. Our study underscored the significance of streamlining ES or expanding cardiomyopathy-related gene panels to identify plausible phenocopies of sarcomere-related cardiomyopathies. Our findings also pointed out the need for genetic testing in patients with cardiomyopathy and their at-risk family members. This can potentially lead to better management strategies, enabling early interventions, and ultimately enhancing their prognosis. Finally, our findings provide an initial contribution to the currently absent knowledge about the molecular underpinnings of cardiomyopathies in Jordan.
A collaborative pharmacist-led intervention to prevent hospital readmissions among elderly patients discharged from the emergency department: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tran-Nguyen Susan , Asha Stephen Edward
Published: July 2024

Unplanned hospital readmission is a safety and quality healthcare measure, conferring significant costs to the healthcare system. Elderly individuals, particularly, are at high risk of readmissions, often due to issues related to medication management. Pharmacists play a pivotal role in addressing medication-related concerns, which can potentially reduce readmissions. This retrospective single-centre cohort study, conducted from November 2022 to February 2023 in an emergency department, aimed to determine if integrating emergency medicine pharmacists into Emergency Department care models reduces unplanned hospital readmissions within 28 days and to identify the interventions they employ. The inclusion criteria included patients aged ≥ 65, taking ≥ 3 medications, and presenting with falls, cognition changes, or reduced mobility and were planned for discharge to home from the emergency department. Collaborating with the Emergency Department Aged Care Service Emergency Team, a pharmacist provided comprehensive medication management consultations, discharge liaison services, and other pharmacy related interventions to eligible participants whenever the pharmacist was available. Patients who met the eligibility criteria but did not receive pharmacist interventions due to the pharmacist's unavailability served as the control group. This method was chosen to ensure that the control group consisted of comparable patients who only differed in terms of receiving the pharmacist intervention. The study included 210 participants, with 120 receiving pharmacist interventions and 90 acting as controls. The results revealed a significant reduction in unplanned hospital readmissions among participants who received pharmacist interventions (10.0%, n = 12) compared to controls (22.2%, n = 20), with a notable difference of 12.2% (95% confidence interval 2.4–23.4%, p = 0.01). A total of 107 interventions were documented, emphasising medication selection recommendations (28.0%) and identification of adverse drug reactions/drug-drug interactions (21.5%) as primary areas of focus. These findings suggest that integrating skilled pharmacists into Emergency Department Aged Care Service Emergency Team (ASET) lowered the rate of unplanned hospital readmission within 28 days resulting in improved hospital performance metric outcomes. This highlights the potential role of pharmacists in addressing medication-related issues and enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare delivery, particularly for elderly patients transitioning from the ED to home care settings.
Investigating pseudo parabolic dynamics through phase portraits, sensitivity, chaos and soliton behavior
Authors: Jhangeer Adil , Ibraheem Farheen , Jamal Tahira , Abdul Rahimzai Ariana , Khan Ilyas
Published: July 2024

This research examines pseudoparabolic nonlinear Oskolkov-Benjamin-Bona-Mahony-Burgers (OBBMB) equation, widely applicable in fields like optical fiber, soil consolidation, thermodynamics, nonlinear networks, wave propagation, and fluid flow in rock discontinuities. Wave transformation and the generalized Kudryashov method is utilized to derive ordinary differential equations (ODE) and obtain analytical solutions, including bright, anti-kink, dark, and kink solitons. The system of ODE, has been then examined by means of bifurcation analysis at the equilibrium points taking parameter variation into account. Furthermore, in order to get insight into the influence of some external force perturbation theory has been employed. For this purpose, a variety of chaos detecting techniques, for instance poincaré diagram, time series profile, 3D phase portraits, multistability investigation, lyapounov exponents and bifurcation diagram are implemented to identify the quasi periodic and chaotic motions of the perturbed dynamical model. These techniques enabled to analyze how perturbed dynamical system behaves chaotically and departs from regular patterns. Moreover, it is observed that the underlying model is quite sensitivity, as it changing dramatically even with slight changes to the initial condition. The findings are intriguing, novel and theoretically useful in mathematical and physical models. These provide a valuable mechanism to scientists and researchers to investigate how these perturbations influence the system’s behavior and the extent to which it deviates from the unperturbed case.
Allergies and risk of head and neck cancer: a case–control study
Authors: Fekrazad Sepehr , Mohebbi Elham , Mehravar Sepideh , Mortaja Mahsa , Teymouri Farzad , Hadji Maryam , Rashidian Hamideh , Naghibzadeh-Tahami Ahmad , Rezaei Nima , Zendehdel Kazem , Shirkhoda Mohammad
Published: July 2024

Although the relationship between allergies and cancer has been investigated extensively, the role of allergies in head and neck cancer (HNC) appears less consistent. It is unclear whether allergies can independently influence the risk of HNC in the presence of substantial environmental risk factors, including consumption of alcohol, betel quid, and cigarettes. This study aims to find this association. We examined the relationship between allergies and HNC risk in a hospital-based case–control study with 300 cases and 375 matched controls. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals, controlling for age, sex, tobacco smoking and opium usage history, alcohol consumption, and socioeconomic status. Our study showed a significant reduction in the risk of HNC associated with allergy symptoms after adjusting for confounders. The risk of HNC was greatly reduced among those with any type of allergy (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28, 0.65). The ORs were considerably reduced by 58–88% for different kinds of allergies. The risk of HNC reduction was higher in allergic women than in allergic men (71% vs. 49%). Allergies play an influential role in the risk of HNC development. Future studies investigating immune biomarkers, including cytokine profiles and genetic polymorphisms, are necessary to further delineate the relationship between allergies and HNC. Understanding the relationship between allergies and HNC may help to devise effective strategies to reduce and treat HNC.
Enhancing the valorization of pulping black liquors in production effective aerogel–carbon nanostructure as adsorbents toward cationic and ionic dyes
Authors: Lotfy Vivian F. , Basta Altaf H.
Published: July 2024

This work deals with promoting the efficiency of removing the cationic and ionic dyes by new aerogel–carbon nanostructures. For cleaner production the rice straw-pulping black liquors, which regards serious environmental risk during routine disposing, is used in preparing the aerogel precursors. These aerogels (AGBs) depend on using pulping black liquor in hybrid with resorcinol and the less carcinogenic formaldehyde butyraldehyde. Black liquors from five pulping processes are used, Elemental, thermogravimetric (TGA and DTG), and FTIR-ATR analyses are used to characterize the carbon precursors. While their adsorption behavior toward cationic and anionic dyes are accessed via iodine-value, adsorption capacity and kinetic models, textural characterization, and SEM. The TGA measurements reveal that AGBs from BLs of neutral sulfite and soda-borohydride pulping reagents have higher activation and degradation energies than other aerogels. In terms of cationic and anionic dyes adsorption as well as textural characterization, the AGB-CNSs surpass that made from BLs. The discarded KOH/NH4OH black liquor is used to synthesize the best aerogel precursor for producing cationic methylene blue dye (MB) adsorbent, where it provides an adsorption capacity 242.1 mg/g. The maximum anionic brilliant blue dye (BB) adsorption capacity, 162.6 mg/g, is noticed by Kraft BL-aerogel-CNSs. These finding data overcome the literature carbon adsorbents based on lignin precursors. All examined CNSs toward MB dye follow the Langmuir adsorption equilibrium; while primarily the Freundlich model for BB dye. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model well fits the adsorption kinetics of investigated AGB-CNSs. The textural characterization and SEM revealed a mixture of mesoporous and micro porous features in the CNSs.
An evaluation of inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers as determinants of peripheral arterial disease in those with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zaib Sumera , Ahmad Shabbir , Khan Imtiaz , Bin Jardan Yousef A. , Fentahun Wondmie Gezahign
Published: July 2024

The most serious long-term effects of diabetes is peripheral artery disease (PAD) which increases the chance of developing diabetic foot ulcers, gangrene and even lower limb amputation. The clinical manifestations of PAD which are typically not revealed until symptoms like intermittent claudication, rest pain and ischemic gangrene develop, are not present in majority of diabetes mellitus patients with PAD due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, current study is aimed to evaluate the inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers with their correlation to biomarkers that can help for in-time diagnosis and efficient prognosis of developing diabetes-associated PAD. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the interlukin-6, interlukin-8, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) in PAD with diabetes group, diabetic group and healthy individual group while biomarkers were measured by kit method. It was observed that serum IL-6, IL-8, ICAM and VCAM levels in type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with PAD patients were increased significantly (85.93, 597.08, 94.80 and 80.66) as compared to T2DM patients (59.52, 231.34, 56.88 and 50.19) and healthy individuals (4.81, 16.93, 5.55 and 5.16). The overall means for the parameters, IL-6, IL-8, ICAM, VCAM, urea, S/creatinine, CK-MB, AST, ALT, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, PT, aPTT, INR, HbA1C, and CRP within all groups were significantly (P < 0.05) different from each other. Therefore, it was concluded that the change in IL-6, IL-8, ICAM and VCAM can serve as an accurate diagnostic indicator and successful treatment.
Prediction and positioning of UWSN mobile nodes based on tidal motion model
Authors: Yu Xiuwu , Li Dengfeng , Liu Yinhao , Zhang Ke , Liu Yong
Published: July 2024

As the node positioning of underwater wireless sensor networks is easily affected by tidal motion, ocean current motion and multipath effect, the node positioning accuracy is low. In order to better improve the positioning accuracy of moving nodes of underwater wireless sensor networks, a method of locating mobile nodes of underwater wireless sensor based on tidal motion model is proposed. Firstly, the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) localization optimized by niche genetic algorithm is used to initialize each node. The integration of niche technology can effectively find multiple excellent solutions in the solution space, thus providing more abundant solution choices. This algorithm has excellent performance in multi-modal optimization problems, and can avoid the algorithm falling into local optimal solutions, so as to obtain more comprehensive optimization results. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has better positioning accuracy than the traditional Chan algorithm and Taylor algorithm. Then, each node is updated in real time by the optimized tidal movement model formula predicted by Kalman filter algorithm. The prediction algorithm is used to compare the real-time predicted update position of the node with the actual position. The positioning distance error of the prediction algorithm is also enough to meet the practical application requirements.
Signal, detection and estimation using a hybrid quantum circuit
Authors: de Sá Neto O. P. , de Oliveira M. C.
Published: July 2024

We investigate a hybrid device allowing a photon–phonon coupling of a transmission line radiation (TLR) and a nanoeletromechanical system (NEMS), mediated by a superconducting qubit population imbalance. We demonstrate the derivation of an effective Hamiltonian for the strongly dispersive regime for this system. The qubit works as a quantum switch, allowing a conditioned transfer of excitations between the TLR and NEMS. We show that this regime allows the system to be employed for signal processing and force estimation. Additionally, we explore the ability of the quantum switch to generate non-classical states.
Continuous spatial field confocal thermometry using lanthanide doped tellurite glass
Authors: Stavrevski Daniel , Schartner E. P. , Sun Q. , Maksymov I. S. , McLaughlin R. A. , Ebendorff-Heidepriem H. , Greentree A. D.
Published: July 2024

Distinguishing between microscopic variances in temperature in both space and time with high precision can open up new opportunities in optical sensing. In this paper, we present a novel approach to optically measure temperature from the fluorescence of erbium:ytterbium doped tellurite glass, with fast temporal resolution at micron-scale localisation over an area with sub millimetre spatial dimensions. This confocal-based approach provides a micron-scale image of temperature variations over a 200 $$\upmu $$
μ
m $$\times $$
×
200 $$\upmu $$
μ
m field of view at sub-1 second time intervals. We test our sensing platform by monitoring the real-time evaporation of a water droplet over a wide field of view and track it’s evaporative cooling effect on the glass where we report a net temperature change of 6.97 K ± 0.03 K. This result showcases a confocal approach to thermometry to provide high temporal and spatial resolution over a microscopic field of view with the goal of providing real-time measures of temperature on the micro-scale.
A tabular data generation framework guided by downstream tasks optimization
Authors: Jia Fengwei , Zhu Hongli , Jia Fengyuan , Ren Xinyue , Chen Siqi , Tan Hongming , Chan Wai Kin Victor
Published: July 2024

Recently, generative models have been gradually emerging into the extended dataset field, showcasing their advantages. However, when it comes to generating tabular data, these models often fail to satisfy the constraints of numerical columns, which cannot generate high-quality datasets that accurately represent real-world data and are suitable for the intended downstream applications. Responding to the challenge, we propose a tabular data generation framework guided by downstream task optimization (TDGGD). It incorporates three indicators into each time step of diffusion generation, using gradient optimization to align the generated fake data. Unlike the traditional strategy of separating the downstream task model from the upstream data synthesis model, TDGGD ensures that the generated data has highly focused columns feasibility in upstream real tabular data. For downstream task, TDGGD strikes the utility of tabular data over solely pursuing statistical fidelity. Through extensive experiments conducted on real-world tables with explicit column constraints and tables without explicit column constraints, we have demonstrated that TDGGD ensures increasing data volume while enhancing prediction accuracy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first instance of deploying downstream information into a diffusion model framework.