bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enabling cryo‐EM density interpretation from yeast native cell extracts by proteomics data and AlphaFold structures
Authors: Tüting Christian , Schmidt Lisa , Skalidis Ioannis , Sinz Andrea , Kastritis Panagiotis L.
Published: April 2023

In the cellular context, proteins participate in communities to perform their function. The detection and identification of these communities as well as in‐community interactions has long been the subject of investigation, mainly through proteomics analysis with mass spectrometry. With the advent of cryogenic electron microscopy and the “resolution revolution,” their visualization has recently been made possible, even in complex, native samples. The advances in both fields have resulted in the generation of large amounts of data, whose analysis requires advanced computation, often employing machine learning approaches to reach the desired outcome. In this work, we first performed a robust proteomics analysis of mass spectrometry (MS) data derived from a yeast native cell extract and used this information to identify protein communities and inter‐protein interactions. Cryo‐EM analysis of the cell extract provided a reconstruction of a biomolecule at medium resolution (∼8 Å (FSC = 0.143)). Utilizing MS‐derived proteomics data and systematic fitting of AlphaFold‐predicted atomic models, this density was assigned to the 2.6 MDa complex of yeast fatty acid synthase. Our proposed workflow identifies protein complexes in native cell extracts fromSaccharomyces cerevisiaeby combining proteomics, cryo‐EM, and AI‐guided protein structure prediction.
M2 Macrophage Membrane‐Mediated Biomimetic‐Nanoparticle Carrying COX‐siRNA Targeted Delivery for Prevention of Tendon Adhesions by Inhibiting Inflammation
Authors: Sun Jie , Ju Fei , Jin Jing , Wang Hao Liang , Li Zhi Jie , Sun Yu Cheng , Chen Qing Zhong , Yang Qian Qian , Tan Jun , Zhou You Lang
Published: April 2023

Tendon adhesion is the most common outcome of tendon or tendon‐to‐bone healing after injury. Our group developed a hydrogel‐nanoparticle sustained‐release system previously to inhibit cyclooxygenases (COXs) expression and consequently prevent tendon adhesion and achieved satisfactory results. However, effective treatment of multiple tendon adhesions is always a challenge in research on the prevention of tendon adhesion. In the present study, an M2M@PLGA/COX‐siRNA delivery system is successfully constructed using the cell membranes of M2 macrophages and poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. Targeting properties and therapeutic effects are observed in mice or rat models of flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon injury combined with rotator cuff injury. The results showed that the M2M@PLGA/COX‐siRNA delivery system has low toxicity and remarkable targeting properties to the injured areas. Treatment with the M2M@PLGA/COX‐siRNA delivery system reduced the inflammatory reaction and significantly improved tendon adhesion in both the FDL tendon and rotator cuff tissues. These findings indicate that the M2M@PLGA delivery system can provide an effective biological strategy for preventing multiple tendon adhesions.
Organo‐Hydrogel Electrolytes with Versatile Environmental Adaptation for Advanced Flexible Aqueous Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Wang Hongfei , Riaz Muhammad Sohail , Ali Tariq , Gu Jiawei , Zhong Yijun , Hu Yong
Published: April 2023

With growing demands for portable electronics, flexible aqueous energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and Zn‐based batteries have drawn tremendous interest from both academic and industrial fields. Organo‐hydrogels, crosslinked amphiphilic polymers filled with organic solvents and water, are regarded as an ideal electrolyte candidate for portable electronic applications, especially due to their superior environmental adaptation. Organo‐hydrogels can reserve the advantages of the corresponding hydrogels and achieve some unique features such as broad temperature tolerance, high mechanical stability, strong interfacial interaction, and decent ionic conductivity. This review outlines the composition fundamentals, preparation methods, and comprehensive properties of reported organo‐hydrogel electrolytes. In particular, supercapacitors and Zn‐based batteries that operate under harsh temperature conditions and unusual mechanical deformations endowed by organo‐hydrogel electrolytes are further highlighted. Moreover, a unique perspective on the current challenges and future development directions of the organo‐hydrogel electrolytes for flexible energy storage is also provided.
A Graphene Oxide–Thioamide Polymer Hybrid for High‐Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Czepa Włodzimierz , Witomska Samanta , Samorì Paolo , Ciesielski Artur
Published: April 2023

The controlled chemical functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) represents a powerful strategy to finely tune its physical and chemical properties toward applications in energy storage. Herein, an unprecedented approach for the GO modification with thioamide‐based polymers featuring numerous heteroatoms (S,N,O) is reported, which is instrumental for achieving superior electrochemical performance in symmetric supercapacitors. While the electrochemical investigations in aqueous electrolytes reveal specific capacitance of 221 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, the use of organic media allows the specific capacitance to be boosted up to 340 F g−1. Additionally, the increase of operating window yields energy densities as high as 94.4 Wh kg−1, thereby exceeding state‐of‐the‐art performances of GO‐based supercapacitors. Furthermore, the symmetric devices exhibit great robustness in both aqueous and organic electrolytes as evidenced by an excellent stability after 5000 working cycles (>98% in H2SO4 and >90% in TEABF4/ACN).
Effect of modified nano‐titanium and fly ash on ultra‐high‐performance concrete properties
Authors: Ghanim Abdulnour Ali Jazem , Amin Mohamed , Zeyad Abdullah M. , Tayeh Bassam A. , Agwa Ibrahim Saad
Published: April 2023

This paper aims to study the effect of using modified nano‐TiO2 with fly ash (FA) on ultra‐high performance concrete's (UHPC) mechanical, transport, and microstructure properties (UHPC). A ball mill was used to disband the nano‐TiO2 and distribute it uniformly within the FA powder. In this research, 20% of the cement weight was replaced by FA, and nano‐TiO2 was added by 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6%, and 2% of the FA weight. To investigate the effect of the ball mill period on the UHPC properties, periods of 10, 20, 30, and 40 min were applied to a binder of 20% FA and with 6% nano‐TiO2. In addition, a 30‐min ball mill period on a binder of 20% FA and 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6%, and 2% nano‐TiO2 was also investigated. Tests of compressive strength after 1, 7, 28, and 91 days of curing in tap water, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity were performed after 28 days of curing in tap water. Tests of chloride permeability, sorptivity coefficient, water permeability, and microstructure were also performed after 28 days of curing in tap water. The results showed that the addition of higher percentages of nano‐TiO2 led to a decrease in workability. The addition of nano‐TiO2 improved the mechanical properties. The highest compressive strength of 208.9 MPa was achieved for the mixture of 20% FA with 1.2% nano‐TiO2 at the age of 28 days. The 30‐min period of application of the ball mill achieved the best performance compared with the other periods. The results of using a ball‐mill to re‐mix nano‐TiO2 between 1.2% and 2% by weight with FA showed impressive comparative results.
A New Dual Mode Blind Equalization Method Based on Neighborhood Symbol‐Based Decision and Decision‐Directed Algorithm
Authors: Hu Xiaoxi , Zhou Yi , Qin Kaiyu , Li Mingyu
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a new dual mode blind equalization method using neighborhood symbol‐based decision and decision‐directed (NSBD‐DD) algorithm is proposed to equalize the satellite communication signals. The proposed algorithm adopts the combined cost function to employ the advantages of symbol decision algorithm and the decision‐directed algorithm, which can further improve the universality of the proposed algorithm. Compared with the conventional blind equalization algorithm, the compensation ability of intersymbol interference and convergence speed of the proposed algorithm can be improved simultaneously. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, the computer simulation is performed, and the simulation results show that the residual intersymbol interference of the 64QAM signals can be decreased to −50 dB under the satellite channel, which has 30 dB lower than multi‐modulus algorithm (MMA), 26 dB lower than NSBD algorithm, and 10 dB lower than SBD algorithm. And compared with SBD algorithm, the number of iterations required for the NSBD‐DD algorithm can be decreased from 8000 iterations to 6000 iterations, which convergence speed is increased by 25%. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Zentrale Positionierungen – eine erste Verdichtung
Authors: Bührig-Hollmann Annette
Published: April 2023

Die Positionierungen, wie sie im Rahmen dieser Forschungsarbeit von den an der UNB Beteiligten beobachtet und analysiert werden, gelten als ein selbstverständlich auftretendes Phänomen, das in jeder Interaktion zu beobachten ist. Die Anteile und die Formen der jeweiligen Positionierungsarbeit können allerdings stark voneinander abweichen. Getätigte Positionierungen haben erhebliche interaktionslogische Konsequenzen. Es kann als ein eklatanter Gesichtsverlust gelten, wenn Selbstpositionierungen korrigiert werden. Die Imagepflege der Interagierende muss bei den Interagierenden fortwährend berücksichtigt werden. Andernfalls riskiert man einen interaktionsrelevanten Konflikt.
Creating Synthetic Training Data for Machine Vision Quality Gates
Authors: Gräßler Iris , Hieb Michael , Roesmann Daniel , Unverzagt Marc
Published: April 2023

Manufacturing companies face the challenge of combining increasing productivity and quality standards with customer″​=oriented mass production. To achieve the required quality standards, quality controls are carried out after selected production steps. These are often visual inspections by trained personnel based on checklists. To automate visual inspection industrial, cameras and powerful machine vision algorithms are needed. Large amounts of visual training data are usually required in order to train these algorithms. However, collecting training data is time″​=consuming, especially in customer″​=oriented mass production. Synthetic training data generated by CAD tools and rendering software can alleviate the lack of available training data. Within the paper at hand, a novel approach is presented examining the use of synthetic training data in machine vision applications. The results show that synthetically generated training data used to train machine vision quality gates is fundamentally suitable. This offers great potential to relieve process and productions developers in the development of quality gates in the future.
FI-flows of 3d N=4 theories
Authors: Bourget Antoine , Giacomelli Simone , Grimminger Julius F.
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We study the 3d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 RG-flows triggered by Fayet-Iliopoulos deformations in unitary quiver theories. These deformations can be implemented by a new quiver algorithm which contains at its heart a problem at the intersection of linear algebra and graph theory. When interpreted as magnetic quivers for SQFTs in various dimensions, our results provide a systematic way to explore RG-flows triggered by mass deformations and generalizations thereof. This is illustrated by case studies of SQCD theories and low rank 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SCFTs. A delightful by-product of our work is the discovery of an interesting new 3d mirror pair.
ICE-GCN: An interactional channel excitation-enhanced graph convolutional network for skeleton-based action recognition
Authors: Wang Shuxi , Pan Jiahui , Huang Binyuan , Liu Pingzhi , Li Zina , Zhou Chengju
Published: April 2023

Thanks to the development of depth sensors and pose estimation algorithms, skeleton-based action recognition has become prevalent in the computer vision community. Most of the existing works are based on spatio-temporal graph convolutional network frameworks, which learn and treat all spatial or temporal features equally, ignoring the interaction with channel dimension to explore different contributions of different spatio-temporal patterns along the channel direction and thus losing the ability to distinguish confusing actions with subtle differences. In this paper, an interactional channel excitation (ICE) module is proposed to explore discriminative spatio-temporal features of actions by adaptively recalibrating channel-wise pattern maps. More specifically, a channel-wise spatial excitation (CSE) is incorporated to capture the crucial body global structure patterns to excite the spatial-sensitive channels. A channel-wise temporal excitation (CTE) is designed to learn temporal inter-frame dynamics information to excite the temporal-sensitive channels. ICE enhances different backbones as a plug-and-play module. Furthermore, we systematically investigate the strategies of graph topology and argue that complementary information is necessary for sophisticated action description. Finally, together equipped with ICE, an interactional channel excited graph convolutional network with complementary topology (ICE-GCN) is proposed and evaluated on three large-scale datasets, NTU RGB+D 60, NTU RGB+D 120, and Kinetics-Skeleton. Extensive experimental results and ablation studies demonstrate that our method outperforms other SOTAs and proves the effectiveness of individual sub-modules. The code will be published at https://github.com/shuxiwang/ICE-GCN.
Perineural Invasion of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma is Associated with Early Recurrence after Neoadjuvant Therapy Followed by Resection
Authors: Cha Da Eun , Yu Allen T. , Khajoueinejad Nazanin , Gleeson Elizabeth , Shaltiel Tali , Berger Yael , Macfie Rebekah , Golas Benjamin J. , Sarpel Umut , Labow Daniel M. , Hiotis Spiros , Cohen Noah A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is increasingly utilized in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, there are limited data on risk factors and patterns of recurrence after surgical resection. This study aimed to analyze timing and recurrence patterns of PDAC after NAT followed by curative resection.

Methods

The medical charts of patients with PDAC treated with NAT followed by curative‐intent surgical resection at a single health system from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Early recurrence was defined as recurrence within 12 months of surgical resection.

Results

91 patients were included and median follow up was 20.1 months. Recurrence occurred in 50 (55%) patients, with median recurrence free survival (RFS) of 11.9 months. Overall, 18 (36%) patients had local and 32 (64%) had distant recurrences. Median RFS and overall survival (OS) between local and distant recurrence were similar. Perineural invasion (PNI) and the presence of a T2 + tumor was significantly higher in recurrence group than in no recurrence group. PNI was a significant risk factor for early recurrence.

Conclusion

After NAT and surgical resection of PDAC, disease recurrence was common, with distant metastasis being the most common. PNI was significantly higher in the recurrence group.
An experimental study of proton implantation in olivine
Authors: Bissbort Thilo , Jiang Qinting , Becker Hans-Werner , Foteinou Varvara , Chakraborty Sumit
Published: April 2023

Implantation of ions in minerals by high energy radiation is an important process in planetary and materials sciences. For example, the solar wind is a multi-ion flux that progressively modifies the composition and structure of near-surface domains in solar objects, like asteroids. A bombardment of a target by different elements like hydrogen (H) at various energies causes, among other things, the implantation of these particles in crystalline and amorphous materials. It is important to understand the mechanisms and features of this process (e.g., how much is implanted and retained), to constrain its contribution to the chemical budget of solar objects or for planning various material-science applications. Yet, there has been no detailed study on H implantation into olivine (e.g., the quantification of maximum retainable H), a major mineral in this context. We performed experiments on H implantation in San Carlos olivine at 10 and 20 keV with increasing fluences (up to 3×1018 at/cm2). Nanoscale H profiles that result from implantation were analyzed using Nuclear Resonance Reaction Analysis after each implantation to observe the evolution of the H distribution as a function of fluence. We observed that after a systematic growth of the characteristic, approximately Gaussian shaped, H profiles with increasing fluences, a maximum concentration at H ~ 20 at% is attained. The maximum concentration is approximately independent of ion energy, but the maximum penetration depth is a function of beam energy and is greater at higher energies. The shapes of the profiles as well as the maximum concentrations deviate from those predicted by currently available models and point to the need for direct experimental measurements. We compared the depth profiles with predictions by SRIM. Based on observations from this study, we were able to constrain the maximum retainable H in olivine as a function of ion energy.
Compressional behavior of the aragonite-structure carbonates to 6 GPa
Authors: Vidal-Daza Isaac , Sánchez-Navas Antonio , Hernández-Laguna Alfonso
Published: April 2023

The behaviors of aragonite (CaCO$$_3$$3), strontianite (SrCO$$_3$$3), cerussite (PbCO$$_3$$3), and witherite (BaCO$$_3$$3) at increasing pressure have been studied up to 6 GPa using density functional theory with plane waves. A parallelism of the orthorhombic carbonates with the closed-packed AsNi structure is considered in our analysis, being the CO$$_3^{2-}$$32-groups not centered in the interstice of the octahedron. The decomposition of the unit-cell volume into atomic contributions using the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules has allowed the analysis of the bulk modulus in atomic contributions. The bulk, axes, interatomic distances, and atomic compressibilities are calculated. The largest compression is on theccrystallographic axis, and theclinear modulus has a linear function with the mineral bulk modulus ($$K_0$$K0). Many of the interatomic distances moduli of the alkaline earth (AE) carbonates show linear functions with the bulk modulus; however, the whole series (including cerussite) only gives linear functions when$$K_0$$K0is related either with theCCdistances modulus or the modulus of the distances of theCto the faces of the octahedron perpendicular toc. These last distances are the projections of the Metal–Oxygen (MO) distances to the center of the octahedron.$$K_{0AE}$$K0AEcarbonates also show linear functions with the atomic moduli of their cations. However, the whole series show a linear relation with the atomic modulus ofCatoms. Therefore, the whole series highlight the importance of theCatoms and their interactions in the mechanism of compression of the orthorhombic carbonate series.
Embeddability of centrosymmetric matrices capturing the double-helix structure in natural and synthetic DNA
Authors: Ardiyansyah Muhammad , Kosta Dimitra , Roca-Lacostena Jordi
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we discuss the embedding problem for centrosymmetric matrices, which are higher order generalizations of the matrices occurring in strand symmetric models. These models capture the substitution symmetries arising from the double helix structure of the DNA. Deciding whether a transition matrix is embeddable or not enables us to know if the observed substitution probabilities are consistent with a homogeneous continuous time substitution model, such as the Kimura models, the Jukes-Cantor model or the general time-reversible model. On the other hand, the generalization to higher order matrices is motivated by the setting of synthetic biology, which works with different sizes of genetic alphabets.
The rates of vaginal births after cesarean section have increased during the last decades: a nationwide register-based cohort study in Finland
Authors: Vaajala Matias , Liukkonen Rasmus , Ponkilainen Ville , Kekki Maiju , Mattila Ville M. , Kuitunen Ilari
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Epidemiological studies assessing the effects of previous cesarean section (CS) on subsequent delivery mode using large nationwide study populations. This study aims to calculate the incidence rates of trial of labors after cesarean section (TOLACs) and evaluate the annual rates of vaginal births after cesarean section (VBAC) during the last decades in Finland.

Methods

Data from the National Medical Birth Register (MBR) were used to evaluate incidence rates of VABC in the Finnish population (1998–2018). All nulliparous women having their first and second pregnancy during our study period, and with the mode of delivery identified in both of these pregnancies were included in this study. Absolute annual numbers and incidence rates for TOLACs, elective CS, and VBAC were calculated.

Results

The absolute number of TOLACs had an increasing trend during our study period, increasing up to 2118 TOLACs in 2016. The incidence rates for elective CS after the first CS had a decreasing trend, decreasing from 45% in 1999, to 28% in 2018. The absolute number of VBACs had an increasing trend during our study period, peaking in 2016 (1466 VBACs). The rates for VBAC remained relatively constant, ranging between 38 and 52%, but a slightly increasing trend at the end of the study period was seen.

Conclusion

Despite the increasing annual total number of deliveries with CS in the first pregnancy, the absolute numbers and rates for VBACs have increased towards the end of the study period in Finland. The epidemiology of TOLACs and VBACs should be better studied around the world, as with the rapidly increasing rate of CSs, these events are becoming more common challenges in health care.
Mid-term efficacy and postoperative wound management of laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) vs conventional excisional hemorrhoidectomy in grade III hemorrhoidal disease: the twisting trend
Authors: Gambardella Claudio , Brusciano Luigi , Brillantino Antonio , Parisi Simona , Lucido Francesco Saverio , del Genio Gianmattia , Tolone Salvatore , Allaria Alfredo , Di Saverio Salomone , Pizza Francesco , Sturiale Alessandro , Docimo Ludovico
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a common condition, and several surgical techniques have been proposed to date without being able to achieve definitive consensus on their use and indications. Laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) is a minimally invasive procedure for HD treatment determining the shrinkage of the hemorrhoidal piles by diode laser limiting the postoperative discomfort and pain. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of HD patients undergoing LHP vs conventional Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MM).

Method

Postoperative pain, wound care management, symptoms’ resolution, patients’ quality of life, and length of return to daily activity of grade III symptomatic HD patients undergoing LHP vs MM were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were followed-up for recurrence of prolapsed hemorrhoid or symptoms.

Result

From January 2018 to December 2019, 93 patients received conventional Milligan Morgan as control group and 81 patients received laser hemorrhoidoplasty treatment using a 1470-nm diode laser. No significant intraoperative complications occurred in both groups. Laser hemorrhoidoplasty patients experienced lower postoperative pain score (p < 0.0001) and smoother wound management. After 25 ± 8 months follow-up, the recurrence of symptoms occurred in 8.1% after Milligan-Morgan and 21.6% after laser hemorrhoidoplasty (p < 0.05) with a similar Rorvik score (7.8 ± 2.6 in LHP group vs 7.6 ± 1.9 in MM group, p = 0.12).

Conclusion

LHP demonstrated high efficacy in selected HD patients guaranteeing lower postoperative pain, easier wound care, higher rate of symptoms resolution, and greater patient appreciation compared to MM, even though it had a higher recurrence rate. Larger comparative studies are needed to address this issue.
The influence of landscape characteristics on breeding bird dark diversity
Authors: Andersen Astrid Holm , Clausen Kevin Kuhlmann , Normand Signe , Vikstrøm Thomas , Moeslund Jesper Erenskjold
Published: April 2023

The exploration of factors and processes affecting biodiversity loss is central to nature management and wildlife conservation, but only recently has knowledge about the absence of species been recognized as a valuable asset to understand the current biodiversity crisis. In this paper, we explore the dark diversity (species that belong to a site-specific species pool but that are not locally present) of breeding birds in Denmark assessed through species co-occurrence patterns. We apply a nation-wide atlas survey of breeding birds (with a 5 × 5 km resolution), to investigate how landscape characteristics may influence avian diversity, and whether threatened and near threatened species are more likely to occur in dark diversity than least concern (LC) species. On average, the dark diversity constituted 41% of all species belonging to the site-specific species pools and threatened and near-threatened species had a higher probability of belonging to the dark diversity than least concern species. Habitat heterogeneity was negatively related to dark diversity and the proportional cover of intensive agriculture positively related, implying that homogeneous landscapes dominated by agricultural interests led to more absent avian species. Finally, we found significant effects of human disturbance and distance to the coast, indicating that more breeding bird species were missing when human disturbance was high and in near-coastal areas. Our study provides the first attempt to investigate dark diversity among birds and highlights how important landscape characteristics may shape breeding bird diversity and reveal areas of considerable species impoverishment.
Increased summer temperature is associated with reduced calf mass of a circumpolar large mammal through direct thermoregulatory and indirect, food quality, pathways
Authors: Holmes Sheila M. , Dressel Sabrina , Morel Julien , Spitzer Robert , Ball John P. , Ericsson Göran , Singh Navinder J. , Widemo Fredrik , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. , Danell Kjell
Published: April 2023

Climate change represents a growing ecological challenge. The (sub) arctic and boreal regions of the world experience the most rapid warming, presenting an excellent model system for studying how climate change affects mammals. Moose (Alces alces) are a particularly relevant model species with their circumpolar range. Population declines across the southern edge of this range are linked to rising temperatures. Using a long-term dataset (1988–1997, 2017–2019), we examine the relative strength of direct (thermoregulatory costs) and indirect (food quality) pathways linking temperature, precipitation, and the quality of two important food items (birch and fireweed) to variation in moose calf mass in northern Sweden. The direct effects of temperature consistently showed stronger relationships to moose calf mass than did the indirect effects. The proportion of growing season days where the temperature exceeded a 20 °C threshold showed stronger direct negative relationships to moose calf mass than did mean temperature values. Finally, while annual forb (fireweed) quality was more strongly influenced by temperature and precipitation than were perennial (birch) leaves, this did not translate into a stronger relationship to moose calf weight. The only indirect path with supporting evidence suggested that mean growing season temperatures were positively associated with neutral detergent fiber, which was, in turn, negatively associated with calf mass. While indirect impacts of climate change deserve further investigation, it is important to recognize the large direct impacts of temperature on cold-adapted species.
Metal-on-metal metaphyseal and ceramic-on-ceramic femoral neck arthroplasty: the impact on clinical results, oxidative stress and concentration of metal ions in serum and blood
Authors: Stołtny Tomasz , Dobrakowski Michał , Augustyn Aleksander , Kasperczyk Sławomir , Rokicka Dominika , Skowroński Rafał , Strojek Krzysztof , Koczy Bogdan
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Growing number of hip arthroplasty in Poland performed with the use of metaphyseal stems results from the decreasing age of patients qualified for procedures and is consistent with the corresponding trends in European countries. To this day, a significant population functions after undergoing hip replacement using metal-on-metal implant. This study was aimed at the assessment of the variability of the oxidative system, as well as the concentrations of chromium and cobalt ions in serum and blood and their potential impact on postoperative clinical status.

Material and methods

The analysis included 58 men. The first group—operated using J&J DePuy ASR metal-on-metal implant with metaphyseal stem ProximaTm. Second group—operated using K-Implant SPIRON® femoral neck prosthesis in full ceramic articulation. Selected parameters of oxidative stress and the antioxidant system as well as the concentration of metal ions in blood were determined twice. Each patient underwent two clinical evaluations using acclaimed physical examination scale systems.

Results

In the first group, significantly higher concentrations of Cr (p = 0.028) and Co (p = 0.002) were demonstrated compared to the group of femoral neck arthroplasty. The mean concentrations of Cr and Co, 10.45 and 9.26 μg/l, respectively, were higher in patients operated bilaterally. In the ASR group, greater pain intensity in the operated hip and higher indicators of oxidative stress were found.

Conclusions

Metal-on-metal articulation of the hip significantly increases the concentration of Cr and Co in blood, induces oxidative stress and modifies function of the antioxidant system and generates greater pain in the operated hip.
Identification of functional pathways and potential genes associated with interferon signaling during human adenovirus type 7 infection by weighted gene coexpression network analysis
Authors: Yang Zhongying , Wei Jianhua , He Yu , Ren Luo , Chen Shiyi , Deng Yu , Zang Na , Liu Enmei
Published: April 2023

Human adenovirus type 7 (HAdV-7) can cause severe pneumonia and complications in children. However, the mechanism of pathogenesis and the genes involved remain largely unknown. We collected HAdV-7-infected and mock-infected A549 cells at 24, 48, and 72 hours postinfection (hpi) for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and identified potential genes and functional pathways associated with HAdV-7 infection using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Based on bioinformatics analysis, 12 coexpression modules were constructed by WGCNA, with the blue, tan, and brown modules significantly positively correlated with adenovirus infection at 24, 48, and 72 hpi, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the blue module was mainly enriched in DNA replication and viral processes, the tan module was largely enriched in metabolic pathways and regulation of superoxide radical removal, and the brown module was predominantly enriched in regulation of cell death. qPCR was used to determine transcript abundance of some identified hub genes, and the results were consistent with those from RNA-Seq. Comprehensively analyzing hub genes and differentially expressed genes in the GSE68004 dataset, we identified SOCS3, OASL, ISG15, and IFIT1 as potential candidate genes for use as biomarkers or drug targets in HAdV-7 infection. We propose a multi-target inhibition of the interferon signaling mechanism to explain the association of HAdV-7 infection with the severity of clinical consequences. This study has allowed us to construct a framework of coexpression gene modules in A549 cells infected with HAdV-7, thus providing a basis for identifying potential genes and pathways involved in adenovirus infection and for investigating the pathogenesis of adenovirus-associated diseases.
Evaluation of the properties of a new super quick-setting (2 min) polyether impression material
Authors: Singer Lamia , Keilig Ludger , Fichte Michèle , Bourauel Christoph
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Although a new super-quick setting polyether impression material has been commercially recently introduced, its properties have not been yet reported. Thus, it was the aim of this study to assess the dimensional stability, tear strength, and elastic recovery of the new material and to compare it with another commonly used polyether and polyvinyl siloxane.

Materials and methods

A new super-quick set polyether, a regular set polyether and a polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) impression material have been used in the study. Dimensional changes were measured using a modified mold as per ISO 4823:2000 after 1 h and 7 days. Tear strength was evaluated by subjecting specimens to tension until failure with a crosshead speed of 250 mm/min. Elastic recovery was measured by deforming specimens using a materials testing machine to a height of 16 mm (20% strain). The change in length (ΔL) was measured afterwards and elastic recovery was calculated in percentages.

Results

Dimensional changes of the super quick and regular set polyether were comparable in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions after 24 h and 7 days. All the tested materials showed dimensional change values far below the maximum accepted ISO requirement (1.5%). The super quick setting polyether showed significantly improved tear strength (4.9 N/mm) in comparison to the regular set polyether (3.5 N/mm) and similar to PVS (5.2 N/mm). The elastic recovery of PVS (99.6%) was the highest among all the groups.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

The newly available super-fast set polyether offers a great potential for a reduced chair side time and comfort for both, the patient and the dentist. Super quick polyether showed as well improved tear strength, which is considered one of the shortcomings of the regular set polyether. In addition, the new polyether was as accurate as the regular set polyether and with good elastic recovery.
Closure result for $$ \Gamma $$-limits of functionals with linear growth
Authors: Jesenko Martin
Published: April 2023

We consider integral functionals$$ \mathcal {F}^{(j)}_{\varepsilon } $$Fε(j), doubly indexed by$$ \varepsilon > 0 $$ε>0and$$j \in \mathbb N\cup \{ \infty \}$$j∈N∪{∞}, satisfying a standard linear growth condition. We investigate the question of$$ \Gamma $$Γ-closure, i.e., when the$$ \Gamma $$Γ-convergence of all families$$ \{ \mathcal {F}^{(j)}_{\varepsilon } \}_{\varepsilon }$${Fε(j)}εwith finitejimplies$$ \Gamma $$Γ-convergence of$$\{ \mathcal {F}^{(\infty )}_{\varepsilon } \}_{\varepsilon }$${Fε(∞)}ε. This has already been explored forp-growth with$$ p > 1 $$p>1. We show by an explicit counterexample that due to the differences between the spaces$$ W^{1,1} $$W1,1and$$ W^{1,p} $$W1,pwith$$ p > 1 $$p>1, an analog cannot hold. Moreover, we find a sufficient condition for a positive answer.
Network analysis of terms in the natural sciences insights from Wikipedia through natural language processing and network analysis
Authors: Wulff Peter
Published: April 2023

Scientists use specific terms to denote concepts, objects, phenomena, etc. The terms are then connected with each other in sentences that are used in science-specific language. Representing these connections through term networks can yield valuable insights into central terms and properties of the interconnections between them. Furthermore, understanding term networks can enhance assessment and diagnostics in science education. Computational means such as natural language processing and network analysis provide tools to analyze term networks in a principled way. This study utilizes natural language processing and network analysis to analyze linguistic properties of terms in the natural science disciplines (biology, chemistry, and physics). The language samples comprised German and English Wikipedia articles that are labelled according to the respective discipline. The different languages were used as contrasting cases. Natural language processing capabilities allowed us to extract term networks from the Wikipedia articles. The network analysis approach enabled us to gain insights into linguistic properties of science terms and interconnections among them. Our findings indicate that in German and English Wikipedia terms such as theory, time, energy, or system emerge as most central in physics. Moreover, the science-term networks display typical scale-free, complex systems behavior. These findings can enhance assessment of science learner’s language use. The tools of natural language processing and network analysis more generally can facilitate information extraction from language corpora in the education fields.
The status of the global food waste mitigation policies: experience and inspiration for China
Authors: Shen Guohui , Li Ziqi , Hong Tiannuo , Ru Xin , Wang Kunzhen , Gu Yanting , Han Juan , Guo Yanzhi
Published: April 2023

Food waste has become a significant challenge faced by the community with a shared future for mankind, and it has also caused a considerable impact on China's food security. Scholars across disciplines, international organizations, and especially policymakers are increasingly interested in food waste. Policies are seen as a powerful factor in reducing food waste, but current research on related policies is more scattered. This paper summarizes and analyzes the experiences of food waste policy development and implementation by systematically reviewing the studies on food waste reduction policies. The results of this paper's analysis show that current global food waste policies are focused at the national strategic level, with approaches such as legislation, food donation, waste recycling, awareness and education, and data collection. At the same time, we find that the current experience of developed countries in policy formulation and implementation is beneficial for policy formulation in developing countries. And taking China as an example, we believe that developing countries can improve food waste policies in the future by improving legislation, guiding the development of food banks, promoting social governance, and strengthening scientific research projects. These policies will all contribute strongly to global environmental friendliness. In addition, we discuss some of the factors that influence the development of food waste policies and argue that in the future, more consideration needs to be given to the effects of policy implementation and that case studies should focus more on developing countries. This will contribute to the global sustainable development process.
Hepatic and cardiac implications of increased toxic amyloid-beta serum level in lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation in rats: new insights into alleviating therapeutic interventions
Authors: Anwar Mai M. , Mabrouk Abeer A.
Published: April 2023

Neuroinflammation is a devastating predisposing factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A number of clinical findings have reported peripheral disorders among AD patients. Amyloid beta (Aβ) is a toxic physiological aggregate that serves as a triggering factor for hepatic and cardiac disorders related to neurotoxicity. As a drawback of Aβ excessive accumulation in the brain, part of Aβ is believed to readily cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) into the peripheral circulation resulting in serious inflammatory and toxic cascades acting as a direct bridge to cardiac and hepatic pathophysiology. The main aim is to find out whether neuroinflammation-related AD may result in cardiac and liver dysfunctions. Potential therapeutic interventions are also suggested to alleviate AD’s cardiac and hepatic defects. Male rats were divided into: control group I, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-neuroinflammatory-induced group II, LPS-neuroinflammatory-induced group treated with sodium hydrogen sulphide donor (NaHS) (group III), and LPS-neuroinflammatory-induced group treated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (group IV). Behavior and histopathological studies were conducted in addition to the estimation of different biological biomarkers. It was revealed that the increased toxic Aβ level in blood resulted in cardiac and hepatic malfunctions as a drawback of exaggerated inflammatory cascades. The administration of NaHS and MSCs proved their efficiency in combating neuroinflammatory drawbacks by hindering cardiac and hepatic dysfunctions. The consistent direct association of decreased heart and liver functions with increased Aβ levels highlights the direct involvement of AD in other organ complications. Thereby, these findings will open new avenues for combating neuroinflammatory-related AD and long-term asymptomatic toxicity.

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Abiotic factors predict taxonomic composition and genetic admixture in populations of hybridizing white oak species (Quercus sect. Quercus) on regional scale
Authors: Reutimann Oliver , Dauphin Benjamin , Baltensweiler Andri , Gugerli Felix , Kremer Antoine , Rellstab Christian
Published: April 2023

Knowing which drivers affect the spatial distribution of hybridizing species and their admixed individuals on local or regional scale can leverage our understanding about processes that shape taxonomic diversity. Hybridizing white oak species (Quercus sect. Quercus) represent an ideal study system to elucidate which environmental factors determine their relative abundance and admixture levels within admixed forest stands. To elaborate these relationships, we used 58 species-diagnostic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and high-resolution topographic and soil data to identify the environmental factors associated with taxonomic composition of individuals and populations in 15 mixed stands of Q. petraea and Q. pubescens in the Valais, an inner-Alpine valley in Switzerland. At the individual tree level, generalized linear models (GLMs) explained a relatively small part of variation (R2 = 0.32). At the population level, GLMs often explained a large part of variation (R2 = 0.54–0.69) of the taxonomic indices. Mean taxonomic composition of the sites depended mainly on altitude and geographic position. Moreover, the more within-site variation we found in predictors related to topographic position, the higher was the average genetic admixture of single trees. Our results show that a multitude of topographic and edaphic factors affect the taxonomic composition and admixture levels of these two hybridizing oak species on local scale and that regional heterogeneity of these factors promote taxonomic diversity and admixture. Overall, our study highlights the prospects of using tailored genetic resources and high-resolution environmental data to understand and predict taxonomic composition in response to changing environments.
Integration (of Immigrants) in the European Courts’ Jurisprudence: Supporting a Pluralist and Rights-Based Paradigm?
Authors: Bottero Matteo
Published: April 2023

The concept of integration is the subject of various immigration policies but is still lacking a proper legal definition. In view of the abiding interest of the EU Member States to preserve their sovereignty over immigration, it is at serious risk of being instrumentalised for this purpose. Taking such circumstances into account, this article reflects on the model of integration resulting from the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights and questions the capacity of the two courts to advance a pluralist and rights-based paradigm of integration. On the one hand, it acknowledges the progressive enhancement of the protection of the immigrants’ fundamental and human rights. On the other hand, it points out the contradictions of a narrative that appears intrinsically incompatible with the very idea of pluralism by conceiving integration primarily as civic and cultural assimilation and placing most of the integration burden on the immigrants’ side.
Predicting bronze casting recipes in ancient China: ternary copper-lead–tin alloys and the “unit sum problem”
Authors: Pollard A. M. , Liu Ruiliang
Published: April 2023

This paper explores the relationship between trends in the observed composition of ternary copper-lead–tin alloys and the recreation of “recipes” used for the casting of bronze objects, and in particular, to ask if the recipe can be reconstructed from the chemical data. The archaeological context is specifically the manufacture of bronzes in pre-Dynastic China, but the nature of the discussion is essentially mathematical. Although the chemical compositions of Chinese bronzes have been well-studied and the casting processes have been exhaustively researched in terms of mould technology, little attention has been given to understanding the recipes used by the bronze casters when producing the alloy to pour into the moulds. The mathematical issue is simple—clearly, in a ternary alloy, the weight percentage compositions of the three components are intimately connected, such that if one goes up, the other two must reduce. Within this constraint, can the correlation patterns seen when assemblages of such objects are plotted as simple binary diagrams be interpreted in terms of the recipe used to create that alloy, and, in particular, can such recipes be replicated by simple numerical models?
Pattern of Facebook use by university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: relations with loneliness and resilience
Authors: Touloupis Thanos , Sofologi Maria , Tachmatzidis Dimitrios
Published: April 2023

Considering young adults’ extensive use of social media since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the present study examined the pattern of Facebook use by university students during the period of hygienic crisis. Specifically, it was investigated students’ Facebook intensity use and self-disclosure to unknown online friends, as well as the role of sense of resilience and loneliness in the manifestation of the above Facebook behaviors. Overall, 792 undergraduate and postgraduate university students (48% women) completed online self-report questionnaires regarding the above variables. Undergraduate students, regardless of gender and Department of studies, made more intense Facebook use and self-disclosure to unknown online friends. Sense of loneliness positively predicted students’ online self-disclosure not only directly but also indirectly through their Facebook intensity use. Students’ resilience negatively moderated the relationship between sense of loneliness and Facebook behaviors. The findings propose a new explanatory model of emotional and behavioral mechanisms, which leads to a less safe pattern of Facebook use. This pattern possibly reflects youth’s collective tendency to use this social media platform recklessly as a way out of crisis periods, such as the pandemic period. The emergence of this pattern could be useful for launching or enriching university counselling/prevention actions aimed at strengthening students’ psycho-emotional skills, and subsequently their prudent use of social media.