bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biotechnological Production of Fungal Colorants
Authors: Bergmann Pia , Berger R. G. , Ersoy F. , Krings U.
Published: July 2024

Da eine globale Transformation in Richtung zirkulärer Bioökonomie auf nachhaltige Prozesse und umweltfreundliche Produkte angewiesen ist, werden in dieser Arbeit Alternativen für aktuell eingesetzte Farbstoffe untersucht. Die biotechnologische Produktion von Farbstoffen aus Pilzen wird als Lösungsstrategie vorgeschlagen.

Zwei verschiedene Spezies wurden auf ihr Potential als Farbstoff‐Produzenten untersucht: der Gemeine Schwefelporling (Laetiporus sulphureus) und der Zottige Schillerporling (Inonotus hispidus). Beide Arten sind bekannt dafür, sowohl im Fruchtkörper, als auch im Myzel in flüssiger Nährkultur farbige Moleküle zu synthetisieren. L. sulphureus produziert die orangen Laetiporsäuren und I. hispidus bildet das gelbe Hispidin, ein bekanntes Antioxidant mit vielen weiteren Bioaktivitäten.

Die Kultivierung beider Spezies wurde in dieser Arbeit vom Schüttelkolben bis zum 4 bzw. 7 L Maßstab im Bioreaktor vergrößert und die Nährmedien optimiert. Durch den Vergleich vier verschiedener L. sulphureus Stämme wurde der potenteste Produktionsstamm ausgewählt und erzielte Ausbeuten von rund 1 g/L Laetiporsäure. Bei der Kultivierung von I. hispidus wurden verschiedene physikalische und chemische Einflussfaktoren zur Steigerung der Hispidin‐Ausbeute getestet. Der Einsatz von Belichtung und oxidativem Stress stimulierte die Farbstoffsynthese, genau wie dem Nährmedium zugesetzte Prekursoren. Alle Effektoren wurden in parallelen Kultivierungen in Bioreaktoren zweier verschiedener Bauarten getestet und eine Ausbeute von 5,5 g/L Hispidin erzielt. Verschiedene Produktaufarbeitungs‐Strategien wurden etabliert, von der klassischen Extraktion bis zum Zwei‐Phasen‐System. Die zuvor geringe Stabilität der Laetiporsäure‐Extrakte konnte durch Stickstoff und Lagerung bei niedrigen Temperaturen stabilisiert werden und das Potential für die Anwendung in Textilien, Kosmetika und Lebensmitteln wurde demonstriert.

Zusammenfassend wurde in dieser Arbeit anhand von zwei Beispielen gezeigt, dass die biotechnologische Produktion von Pilzfarbstoffen möglich ist. Die Maßstabsvergrößerung von Labor bis zur Pilotanlage wurde berichtet und die Kombination von chemischen und physikalischen Einflussfaktoren sorgte für Ausbeuten im g/L Bereich, die einen entsprechenden Bioprozess wettbewerbsfähig mit konventionellen Prozessen für natürliche Farbstoffe machen.
Capturing Transient Events in Series: A Review of Framing Photography
Authors: Yao Yunhua , Liu Xianglei , Qi Dalong , Yao Jiali , Jin Chengzhi , He Yu , Huang Zhengqi , He Yilin , Shen Yuecheng , Deng Lianzhong , Wang Zhiyong , Sun Zhenrong , Liang Jinyang , Zhang Shian
Published: July 2024

Observing transient events is of great importance for understanding fundamental principles and further controlling the related processes. To surmount the limitations of human vision, special tools are required to detect and record these transient events. Among existing approaches, framing photography stands out by its high spatiotemporal resolution with a 2D field of view and low crosstalk between adjacent frames. This review aims to summarize the technical routes of framing photography and provide a guide for choosing suitable tools for the observation of transient phenomena. The basic principles of framing photography are introduced and then an overview of the main categories by analyzing the system configurations and working principles are presented. Then, the existing devices are classified into mechanical, electrical, and optical framing photography. For each category, representative techniques and applications are discussed. Finally, a prospect for framing photography is provided.
Hyphenation of microflow chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for bioanalytical applications focusing on low molecular weight compounds: A tutorial review
Authors: Girel Sergey , Meister Isabel , Glauser Gaetan , Rudaz Serge
Published: July 2024

Benefits of miniaturized chromatography with various detection modes, such as increased sensitivity, chromatographic efficiency, and speed, were recognized nearly 50 years ago. Over the past two decades, this approach has experienced rapid growth, driven by the emergence of mass spectrometry applications serving ‐omics sciences and the need for analyzing minute volumes of precious samples with ever higher sensitivity. While nanoscale liquid chromatography (flow rates <1 μL/min) has gained widespread recognition in proteomics, the adoption of microscale setups (flow rates ranging from 1 to 100 μL/min) for low molecular weight compound applications, including metabolomics, has been surprisingly slow, despite the inherent advantages of the approach. Highly heterogeneous matrices and chemical structures accompanied by a relative lack of options for both selective sample preparation and user‐friendly equipment are usually reported as major hindrances. To facilitate the wider implementation of microscale analyses, we present here a comprehensive tutorial encompassing important theoretical and practical considerations. We provide fundamental principles in micro‐chromatography and guide the reader through the main elements of a microflow workflow, from LC pumps to ionization devices. Finally, based on both our literature overview and experience, illustrated by some in‐house data, we highlight the critical importance of the ionization source design and its careful optimization to achieve significant sensitivity improvement.
The role of immune checkpoint inhibitors: Variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the second exon of the P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1) gene polymorphism in multiple myeloma
Authors: Oyaci Yasemin , Pehlivan Mustafa , Pehlivan Sacide , Cinli Tahir Alper , Tuncel Fatima Ceren , Ertas Elif , Serin Istemi
Published: July 2024

Somatic mutations and polymorphisms may play a role in multiple myeloma (MM) susceptibility and survival. One of the immune checkpoint inhibitors is P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1); the majority of tumor‐infiltrating leukocytes express PSGL‐1, causing T cell and immune inhibition via PSGL‐1 mediator molecules. We aimed to investigate the effect of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the second exon of the PSGL‐1 gene on MM susceptibility, response to treatment and survival in our patient group. A total of 238 patients diagnosed with MM between January 2010 and January 2021 and 162 healthy individuals as a control group were included in this cross‐sectional study. The genotypes of the VNTR polymorphism in the second exon of the PSGL‐1 gene were statistically compared between patients and healthy controls; the statistically significant effects of the genotypes on response to first‐line treatment and survival were examined. The AC genotype was significantly higher in healthy controls compared to patients diagnosed with MM (p < 0.001). The median PFS in patients with AA/AB/AC was 56 months, while it was 100 months in patients with BB/CC. The hazard ratio of 1.34 for PFS was found to be clinically significant and having the BB/CC genotype could provide a longer PFS compared to others, but it was not statistically significant due to the sample size. Our study results will shed light on new study plans in terms of immune checkpoint target therapies among conventional treatment preferences in MM.
Spectral analysis of the bicomplex magnetic Laplacian
Authors: Ahizoune Issame , Elgourari Aiad , Ghanmi Allal
Published: July 2024

The bicomplex magnetic Laplacian (shortly bc‐magnetic Laplacian) is defined as a couple of magnetic Laplacians on two separate complex planes. In the present paper, we provide an explicit characterization of its
‐eigenspaces when acting on the so‐called bicomplex p‐Hilbert space. The common eigenfunction problem for the bc‐magnetic Laplacian and its
‐conjugate is also tackled. The corresponding eigenspaces are described and the explicit expression of their reproducing kernels is given.
Error bounds for the approximation of matrix functions with rational Krylov methods
Authors: Simunec Igor
Published: July 2024

We obtain an expression for the error in the approximation of and with rational Krylov methods, where is a symmetric matrix, is a vector and the function admits an integral representation. The error expression is obtained by linking the matrix function error with the error in the approximate solution of shifted linear systems using the same rational Krylov subspace, and it can be exploited to derive both a priori and a posteriori error bounds. The error bounds are a generalization of the ones given in Chen et al. for the Lanczos method for matrix functions. A technique that we employ in the rational Krylov context can also be applied to refine the bounds for the Lanczos case.
Engaging adolescents in research: Home self‐collection of biological samples and health questionnaires
Authors: Leung Cherry Y. , Chien Shao‐Yun , Weiss Sandra J.
Published: July 2024

Adolescent health research with biomarker data collection is limited due to difficulties in recruiting and engaging this age group. Thus, successful recruitment, engagement, and retention of adolescents in translational research are necessary to elucidate factors influencing mental and physical health conditions, uncover novel biomarkers, and expand prevention and treatment options. This paper describes strategies for effective recruitment and retention of adolescents in a research study, using a project examining depressive symptoms and the microbiome to illustrate these approaches. This cross‐sectional study collected electronic self‐reported survey data and self‐collected biospecimens (stool and salivary samples) from adolescents 13–19 years old. All but two participants completed the questionnaires, with few missing responses. 94% provided at least one salivary sample and 89% supplied a stool sample. Participants were able to adhere to the study instructions. Using a participant‐centered approach, our study successfully recruited and engaged the targeted 90 participants in self‐collection of electronic survey data and biospecimens. Successful strategies of recruitment and retention included: 1) on‐site clinic recruitment by research team, 2) active involvement of parents as appropriate, 3) use of electronic surveys and self‐collection of biospecimens to foster control and ease of participation while addressing privacy concerns, 4) noninvasive collection of data on biospecimen, 5) frequent texting to communicate with participants, 6) flexibility in the pickup and transferring of biospecimens to accommodate adolescent schedules, 7) developmentally appropriate research, 8) participant reimbursement, and 9) sensitivity toward discussing stool sample materials. As a result of these strategies, adolescent participation in the research proved feasible.
The pervasive influence of systems of power on transition readiness for adult care in sickle cell disease: A qualitative study
Authors: Prussien Kemar V. , Faust Haley L. , Crosby Lori E. , Smith‐Whitley Kim , Barakat Lamia P. , Schwartz Lisa A.
Published: July 2024

Background

Adolescence and young adulthood are vulnerable developmental periods for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), particularly given the impact of social inequities, challenges with transitioning to adult healthcare services, and increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Systems of power, such as institutionalized and interpersonal manifestations of bias, could impact SCD transfer and engagement in adult care through their influence on healthcare transition readiness; yet research in this area is limited.

Objective

To characterize how systems of power impact transition readiness factors described in the Social‐ecological Model of AYA Readiness for Transition to Promote Health Equity (SMART‐E) framework at the patient, caregiver, and practitioner levels.

Methods

Pediatric adolescents and young adults (AYA), transferred AYA, caregivers, and practitioners participated in semi‐structured focus groups and individual interviews examining health equity and systems of power during healthcare transition. Focus groups/interviews were transcribed and coded using a deductive approach via the updated SMART‐E framework.

Results

Ten pediatric AYA with SCD, nine transferred AYA with SCD, eight caregivers, and nine practitioners participated in a focus group or interview. Qualitative findings across reporters emphasize the impact of systems of power (e.g., racial bias and disease stigma) on knowledge, skills and self‐efficacy, beliefs and expectations, goals and motivation, and emotions and psychosocial functioning at the patient, caregiver, and practitioner levels.

Conclusion

Systems of power are prevalent with respect to transition barriers for AYA with SCD and their supports. Structural, institutional, and individual factors with potential to reduce the influence of systems of power should be further identified and targeted for intervention.
Bone remodeling in survivors of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Impact of heavy resistance training
Authors: Krogh Lise Marie , Nissen Anne , Weischendorff Sarah , Hartmann Bolette , Andersen Jesper Løvind , Holst Jens Juul , Sørensen Kaspar , Fridh Martin Kaj , Mackey Abigail Louise , Müller Klaus
Published: July 2024

Background

Early‐onset osteoporosis is a frequent late effect after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It remains unknown if physical training can improve bone formation in these patients, as the transplantation procedure may cause sustained dysregulation of the bone‐forming osteoblast progenitor cells.

Objective

We aimed to explore the effect of resistance training on bone remodeling in long‐term survivors of pediatric HSCT.

Procedure

In this prospective, controlled intervention study, we included seven HSCT survivors and 15 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. The participants completed a 12‐week heavy load, lower extremity resistance training intervention with three weekly sessions. We measured fasting serum levels of the bone formation marker “N‐terminal propeptide of type I procollagen” (P1NP), and the bone resorption marker “C‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen” (CTX). The hypothesis was planned before data collection began. The trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov before including the first participant, with trial registration no. NCT04922970.

Results

Resistance training led to significantly increased levels of fasting P1NP in both patients (from 57.62 to 114.99 ng/mL, p = .03) and controls (from 66.02 to 104.62 ng/mL, p < .001). No significant changes in fasting CTX levels were observed.

Conclusions

Despite previous high‐dose cytotoxic therapy, long‐term survivors of pediatric HSCT respond to resistance training with improvement of bone formation, comparable to that of healthy controls. This suggests that resistance training might be a promising non‐pharmacological approach to prevent the early decline in bone mass, and should be considered as part of a follow‐up program to counteract long‐term sequela after pediatric HSCT.
A high hydrophobic moment arginine‐rich peptide screened by a machine learning algorithm enhanced ADC antitumor activity
Authors: Su Ruo‐Long , Cao Xue‐Wei , Zhao Jian , Wang Fu‐Jun
Published: July 2024

Cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) with better biomolecule delivery properties will expand their clinical applications. Using the MLCPP2.0 machine algorithm, we screened multiple candidate sequences with potential cellular uptake ability from the nuclear localization signal/nuclear export signal database and verified them through cell‐penetrating fluorescent tracing experiments. A peptide (NCR) derived from the Rev protein of the caprine arthritis‐encephalitis virus exhibited efficient cell‐penetrating activity, delivering over four times more EGFP than the classical CPP TAT, allowing it to accumulate in lysosomes. Structural and property analysis revealed that a high hydrophobic moment and an appropriate hydrophobic region contribute to the high delivery activity of NCR. Trastuzumab emtansine (T‐DM1), a HER2‐targeted antibody‐drug conjugate, could improve its anti‐tumor activity by enhancing targeted delivery efficiency and increasing lysosomal drug delivery. This study designed a new NCR vector to non‐covalently bind T‐DM1 by fusing domain Z, which can specifically bind to the Fc region of immunoglobulin G and effectively deliver T‐DM1 to lysosomes. MTT results showed that the domain Z‐NCR vector significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of T‐DM1 against HER2‐positive tumor cells while maintaining drug specificity. Our results make a useful attempt to explore the potential application of CPP as a lysosome‐targeted delivery tool.
Effect of berberine on the hippocampal structure, biochemical factors, memory, and blood–brain barrier in rat model of transient global cerebral ischemia
Authors: Mehboodi Dariush , Shahedi Abbas , Namavar Mohammad Reza , Yadegari Maryam , Vakili Mahmood
Published: July 2024

Global cerebral ischemia (GCI) results in damage to the neurons and leads to cognitive impairments. Berberine (BBR) is known for its neuroprotective qualities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of BBR on memory, Blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, biochemical factors, and neuronal structure. Sixty‐three adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into Sham (21), GCI (21), and GCI + BBR (21) groups. The GCI + BBR group received 50 mg/kg of BBR for 7 days before and 6 h after 20 min of GCI induction. After 24 h, assessments included hippocampal neuronal structure, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels, memory performance, and BBB permeability. The GCI + BBR group reduced volume loss in the CA1 and its sublayers (oriens, pyramidal, and radiatum) compared to the GCI group (p < 0.0001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, the GCI + BBR group showed higher pyramidal neuron density (p < 0.0001) and number (p < 0.0001) compared to the GCI group. BBR also decreased MDA levels (p < 0.0001) and increased CAT activity (p < 0.0001) in the GCI + BBR group compared to the GCI group, with GPX and SOD activity approaching Sham levels (p < 0.0001, both). BBR demonstrated significant improvements in short and long‐term memory compared to the GCI group (p < 0.01, p < 0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, BBB permeability in the GCI + BBR group was significantly reduced compared to the GCI group (p < 0.0001). These findings demonstrated BBR's potential to protect the neurons in the CA1 and BBB structures, enhance antioxidant activity, and alleviate GCI‐induced memory impairments.
Diterpenoids from the Resin of Liquidambar formosana Hance and Their Anti‐inflammatory Activities
Authors: Babu Sura Madhu , Liu Xiao‐Ning , Cheng Yong‐Xian
Published: July 2024

Liquidambarine D (1), a new labdane‐type diterpenoid, and nineteen known compounds including five labdanes (2–6), eight abietanes (7–14), four pimaranes (16–19), and two nor‐diterpenoids (15, 20) were isolated from the resin of Liquidambar formosana Hance. The new compound was characterized by the combination of spectroscopic and computational methods. With the exception of 15‐hydroxydehydroabietic acid (13), all the known compounds were reported for the first time from the resins of Liquidambar species. All these isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, revealing that compounds, acetylisocupressic acid (3), (13S)‐15‐acetoxylabd‐8(17)‐en‐19‐oic acid (6), abietic acid (7), dehydroabietic acid (11), abieta‐8,11,13,15‐tetraen‐18‐oic acid (12), and 4‐epi‐isopimaric acid (16) could suppress lipopolysaccharide‐induced iNOS expression in RAW 264.7 cells and disclosing their structure activity relationships.
Optimizing Integrated‐Loss Capacities via Asymmetric Electronic Environments for Highly Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: Liu Panbo , Zheng Shuyun , He Zizhuang , Qu Chang , Zhang Leqian , Ouyang Bo , Wu Fan , Kong Jie
Published: July 2024

Asymmetric electronic environments based on microscopic‐scale perspective have injected infinite vitality in understanding the intrinsic mechanism of polarization loss for electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption, but still exists a significant challenge. Herein, Zn single‐atoms (SAs), structural defects, and Co nanoclusters are simultaneously implanted into bimetallic metal‐organic framework derivatives via the two‐step dual coordination‐pyrolysis process. Theoretical simulations and experimental results reveal that the electronic coupling interactions between Zn SAs and structural defects delocalize the symmetric electronic environments and generate additional dipole polarization without sacrificing conduction loss owing to the compensation of carbon nanotubes. Moreover, Co nanoclusters with large nanocurvatures induce a strong interfacial electric field, activate the superiority of heterointerfaces and promote interfacial polarization. Benefiting from the aforementioned merits, the resultant derivatives deliver an optimal reflection loss of −58.9 dB and the effective absorption bandwidth is 5.2 GHz. These findings provide an innovative insight into clarifying the microscopic loss mechanism from the asymmetric electron environments viewpoint and inspire the generalized electronic modulation engineering in optimizing EM wave absorption.
Double‐Phase‐Networking Polyimide Hybrid Aerogel with Exceptional Dimensional Stability for Superior Thermal Protection System
Authors: Liu Chun , Wang Mingkang , Wang Jing , Xu Guangyu , Zhang Sizhao , Ding Feng
Published: July 2024

Polyimide aerogels have been extensively used in thermal protection domain because they possess a combination of intrinsic characteristics of aerogels and unique features of polyimide. However, polyimide aerogels still suffer significant thermally induced shrinkage at temperatures above 200 °C, restricting their application at high temperature. Here, a novel “double‐phase‐networking” strategy is proposed for fabricating a lightweight and mechanically robust polyimide hybrid aerogel by forming silica–zirconia‐phase networking skeletons, which possess exceptional dimensional stability in high‐temperature environments and superior thermal insulation. The rational mechanism responsible for the formation of double‐phase‐networking aerogel is further explained, generally attributing to chemical crosslinking reactions and supramolecular hydrogen bond interactions derived from the main chains of polyimide and silane/zirconia precursor/sol. The as‐prepared aerogels exhibit excellent high‐temperature (270 °C) dimensional stability (5.09% ± 0.16%), anti‐thermal‐shock properties, and low thermal conductivity. Moreover, the hydrophobic treatment provides aerogels high water resistance with water contact angle of 136.9°, further suggestive of low moisture content of 3.6% after exposure to 70 °C and 85% relative humidity for 64 h. The proposed solution for significantly enhancing high‐temperature dimensional stability and thermal insulation provides a great supporting foundation for fabricating high‐performance organic aerogels as thermal protection materials in aerospace.
Causes and consequences of feline haemothorax: A retrospective case series
Authors: Turner Rachel , Humm Karen
Published: July 2024

Background

The objective of this study was to describe the causes of haemothorax in cats, patient presentation and outcome.

Methods

This was a retrospective study based in a university teaching hospital. The electronic case records of cats presenting with a haemothorax between January 2005 and January 2023 were searched. Cases were categorised into ‘trauma’, ‘neoplasia’, ‘coagulopathy’ or ‘other’. Signalment, physical examination, clinical pathology findings, concurrent injuries and diagnostic imaging findings were recorded. The median hospitalisation time was calculated, and survival to discharge was noted.

Results

Twenty‐five cats were eligible for inclusion. Twenty cases of haemothorax were traumatic in origin, two were neoplastic, two were ‘other’ and one was coagulopathic. Increased respiratory rate (n = 22) and effort (n = 20) were common, and most patients were anaemic at presentation (n = 16). Common concurrent injuries included pulmonary contusions (n = 15) and pneumothorax (n = 11). The median hospitalisation time for the trauma cats was 5 days (range 1‒15). Overall, 83.3% of the cases survived to discharge.

Limitations

The limitations of this study are related to its retrospective nature and the relatively small number of cats in the study population.

Conclusion

Haemothorax requiring a thoracocentesis in cats is rare, with trauma being the most likely cause. These patients tend to have concurrent injuries and require ongoing hospitalisation. Owners can be advised that the short‐term outcome is generally favourable.
Effects of irradiation on the survival of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in beef
Authors: Azizi Saied , Hajipour Nasser , Hassanzadeh Parviz , Ketzis Jennifer
Published: July 2024

Background

Sarcocystis is a food‐borne zoonotic protozoan whose final hosts are humans, dogs, cats, and other carnivores and intermediate hosts are birds and mammals, especially humans and herbivores. Humans become infected by eating raw and undercooked meat contaminated with bradyzoites or by consuming water or food contaminated with the sporocyst stage of the parasite.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gamma radiation and electron beam on the survival rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in infected beef and to determine the effective dose.

Methods

Three replicates of 100 g of infected meat were treated with different doses (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 kGy). As a control, 20 g of contaminated meat was stored separately at 4°C. The viability of the bradyzoites after digestion in pepsin solution was assessed, stained (trypan blue) and unstained, under a stereomicroscope. To assess survival of the bradyzoites, the irradiated meat samples were fed to 30 dogs. After 10 days, faecal samples were examined for sporocysts.

Results

The results showed that the highest and lowest mortality rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in infected organs using electron beam at a dose of 2 kGy were 92.5% and 100%, respectively, and the lowest mortality rate at a dose of 0.5 kGy were 2.5% and 7.89%, respectively.

Conclusion

The results of statistical analysis showed that the mortality rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites was significant between different doses of gamma ray and electron beam, so that gamma rays were better compared to electron beam in destroying Sarcocystis bradyzoites.
Variational approaches to the elasticity of deformable strings with and without mass redistribution
Authors: Giordano Stefano
Published: July 2024

The catenary is a curve that has played a significant role in the history of mathematics, finding applications in various disciplines such as mechanics, technology, architecture, the arts, and biology. In this paper, we introduce some generalizations by applying the variational method to deformable strings. We explore two specific cases: (i) in the first case, we investigate the nonlinear behavior of an elastic string with variable length, dependent on the applied boundary conditions; specifically, this analysis serves to introduce the variational method and demonstrate the process of finding analytical solutions; (ii) in the second case, we examine a deformable string with a constant length; however, we introduce mass redistribution within the string through nonlinear elastic interactions. In the first scenario, the deformation state of the string always describes elongation, as compression states prove to be unstable for fully flexible strings. In contrast, in the second scenario, the finite length constraint induces compressive states in specific configurations and regions of the string. However, it is worth noting that the solution to this problem exists only for values of the elastic constant that are not too low, a phenomenon that is studied in detail. We conduct here both analytical and graphical analyses of various geometries, comparing the elastic behavior of the two aforementioned types of strings. Understanding the elastic behavior of deformable strings, especially the second type involving mass redistribution, is crucial for enhancing comprehension in the study of biological filaments or fibers and soft matter. For instance, these investigations can contribute to understanding the mechanisms employed by cells to sense gravity or other mechanical conditions.
Facework in Patient Requests for Treatment Recommendations in Korean Medical Interactions: The Use of Main Clause Omission
Authors: Park Yujong
Published: July 2024

This studyexamined the involvementof facework in main clause omissions employed by patients when performing requests. The data were drawn from a corpus of videotaped primary care visits collected from Korean medical practitioners. Drawing on previous work on faceworkin politeness research, requests in conversation analytic research, and main clause ellipsis in Korean, the study found that main clause omissions provided a mechanism for patients to minimize any threats to the participants’ face when requesting a prescription for a treatment plan. By employing this practice, patients were able to prove the relevance for a proposed treatment without directly requesting it. By only providing the relevance for a specific type of treatment by omitting the main clause, the patient allowed the doctor to indirectly reject or grant the request. The analysis allowed the notion of facework to be respecified as one emerging from both participants’ joint construction of the sequential unfolding of the interaction. This study supports the view that face is a discursive, interactional, and social accomplishment by examining a linguistic practice employed primarily by patients in Korean medical interactions. The role of epistemic imbalance and asymmetry in this setting is also discussed.
“할미 마음이 아파요”: Korean Honorific Speech Level Markers as Contextualization Cues in Family Instant Messages
Authors: Choe Hanwool
Published: July 2024

Bringing together Goffman’s (1981) concept of footing, Gumperz’s (1982) notion of contextualization cues, and Tannen’s (1994, 2007) ambiguity and polysemy of power and solidarity, I carry out a qualitative discourse analysis study that investigates how the management of power and solidarity and the construction of family-related identities are signaled through the honorific speech level markers in family instant messages. For this study, I examine naturally occurring instant messages of three Korean families(-in-law) via KakaoTalk, a free instant messaging application. The message exchanges include different types of family members interacting with each other, such as between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, between a married couple of the same age, and between grandmothers and (virtually present) grandchildren. Family members use the deferential and polite speech level markers as (1) an egalitarian marker; (2) a face-saving marker; (3) a footing marker; and (4) an affective marker. Illuminating language use in contemporary family discourse via instant messages, the chapter demonstrates how the use of the honorific speech level markers neither always adheres to politeness nor is necessarily regulated by traditional social factors such as age, roles, and status. I therefore demonstrate how the speech level markers actually work in everyday family instant messages.
“What Does Hyung Mean Please?”: Moments of Teaching and Learning About Korean (Im)politeness on an Online Streaming Platform of Korean TV Drama
Authors: Locher Miriam A. , Messerli Thomas C.
Published: July 2024

In this paper we combine an interest in the pragmatics of fiction with interpersonal pragmatics by exploring how Korean (im)politeness norms surface and are negotiated in fictional TV drama. Our data is derived from the streaming platform Viki.com, which allows viewers to comment on the episodes they stream. Building on previous work by (Locher, Journal of Pragmatics 170:139–155, 2020), we first report on the pervasive occurrence of scenes containing ‘moments of relational work’ in Korean TV drama and then explore how viewers comment on this very relational work. While our quantitative results show that viewers do indeed pick up on (im)politeness negotiations (in linguistic and embodied, multimodal form), this finding is relativized by the many other functions that the comments also have. Nevertheless, we are able to show question–answer sequences about relational work and identity ‘moments of teaching and learning’ about Korean (im)politeness in this online fan community.
Zc and Zcs systems with operator mixing at NLO in QCD sum rules
Authors: Wu Ren-Hua , Wang Chen-Yu , Meng Ce , Ma Yan-Qing , Chao Kuang-Ta
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We study the mass spectra of hidden-charm tetraquark systems with quantum numbers (IG)JP = (1+)1+ (and their I = $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

partners) using QCD sum rules. The analysis incorporates the complete next-to-leading order (NLO) contribution to the perturbative QCD part of the operator product expansions, with particular attention to operator mixing effects due to renormalization group evolution. We find that both the parametric dependence and the perturbative convergence are significantly improved for the two mixed operators $$ {J}_{1,5}^{\textrm{Mixed}} $$

J

1
,
5

Mixed

and $$ {J}_{2,6}^{\textrm{Mixed}} $$

J

2
,
6

Mixed

, compared with those for the unmixed meson-meson or diquark-antidiquark type ones. For the $$ \overline{d}c\overline{c}u $$

d
¯

c

c
¯

u
system, the masses of $$ {J}_{1,5}^{\textrm{Mixed}} $$

J

1
,
5

Mixed

and $$ {J}_{2,6}^{\textrm{Mixed}} $$

J

2
,
6

Mixed

are determined to be $$ {3.89}_{-0.12}^{+0.18} $$

3.89

−
0.12

+
0.18

GeV and $$ {4.03}_{-0.07}^{+0.06} $$

4.03

−
0.07

+
0.06

GeV, respectively, closely matching those of Zc(3900) and Zc(4020). Similarly, for the $$ \overline{s}c\overline{c}u $$

s
¯

c

c
¯

u
states, the masses of $$ {J}_{1,5}^{\textrm{Mixed}} $$

J

1
,
5

Mixed

and $$ {J}_{2,6}^{\textrm{Mixed}} $$

J

2
,
6

Mixed

are found to be $$ {4.02}_{-0.09}^{+0.17} $$

4.02

−
0.09

+
0.17

GeV and $$ {4.21}_{-0.07}^{+0.08} $$

4.21

−
0.07

+
0.08

GeV, respectively, in close proximity to Zcs(3985)/Zcs(4000) and Zcs(4220), consistent with the expectation that they are the partners of Zc(3900) and Zc(4020). Our results highlight the crucial role of operator mixing, an inevitable effect in a complete NLO calculation, in achieving a robust phenomenological description for the tetraquark system.
Particle detectors under chronological hazard
Authors: Alonso-Serrano Ana , Tjoa Erickson , Garay Luis J. , Martín-Martínez Eduardo
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We analyze how the presence of closed timelike curves (CTCs) characterizing a time machine can be discerned by placing a local particle detector in a region of spacetime which is causally disconnected from the CTCs. Our study shows that not only can the detector tell if there are CTCs, but also that the detector can separate topological from geometrical information and distinguish periodic spacetimes without CTCs (like the Einstein cylinder), curvature, and spacetimes with topological identifications that enable time-machines.
On AdS4 deformations of celestial symmetries
Authors: Bittleston Roland , Bogna Giuseppe , Heuveline Simon , Kmec Adam , Mason Lionel , Skinner David
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Celestial holography has led to the discovery of new symmetry algebras arising from the study of collinear limits of perturbative gravity amplitudes in flat space. We explain from the twistor perspective how a non-vanishing cosmological constant Λ naturally modifies the celestial chiral algebra. The cosmological constant deforms the Poisson bracket on twistor space, so the corresponding deformed algebra of Hamiltonians under the new bracket is automatically consistent. This algebra is equivalent to that recently found by Taylor and Zhu. We find a number of variations of the deformed algebra. We give the Noether charges arising from the expression of this algebra as a symmetry of the twistor action for self-dual gravity with cosmological constant.
Almost Optimal Upper Bound for the Ground State Energy of a Dilute Fermi Gas via Cluster Expansion
Authors: Lauritsen Asbjørn Bækgaard
Published: July 2024

We prove an upper bound on the energy density of the dilute spin-

$$\frac{1}{2}$$

1
2

Fermi gas capturing the leading correction to the kinetic energy

$$8\pi a \rho _\uparrow \rho _\downarrow $$

8
π
a

ρ
↑

ρ
↓

with an error of size smaller than

$$a\rho ^{2}(a^3\rho )^{1/3-\varepsilon }$$

a

ρ
2

(

a
3

ρ
)

1
/
3
-
ε

for any

$$\varepsilon > 0$$

ε
>
0

, where a denotes the scattering length of the interaction. The result is valid for a large class of interactions including interactions with a hard core. A central ingredient in the proof is a rigorous version of a fermionic cluster expansion adapted from the formal expansion of Gaudin et al. (Nucl Phys A 176(2):237–260, 1971. https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-9474(71)90267-3).
The effect of variations in experimental and computational fidelity on data assimilation approaches
Authors: Thompson Craig , Cadambi Padmanaban Uttam , Ganapathisubramani Bharathram , Symon Sean
Published: July 2024

We conduct a comprehensive analysis of two data assimilation methods: the first utilizes the discrete adjoint approach with a correction applied to the production term of the turbulence transport equation, preserving the Boussinesq approximation. The second is a state observer method that implements a correction in the momentum equations alongside a turbulence model, both applied to fluid dynamics simulations. We investigate the impact of varying computational mesh resolutions and experimental data resolutions on the performance of these methods within the context of a periodic hill test case. Our findings reveal the distinct strengths and limitations of both methods, which successfully assimilate data to improve the accuracy of a RANS simulation. The performance of the variational model correction method is independent of input data and computational mesh resolutions. The state observer method, on the other hand, is sensitive to the resolution of the input data and CFD mesh.
Understanding Factors That Affect Willingness to Self-Manage a Pessary for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Pessary-Using Women in the UK
Authors: Dwyer Lucy , Rajai Azita , Dowding Dawn , Kearney Rohna
Published: July 2024

Introduction and Hypothesis

Pessary self-management offers benefits to women with no increased risk of complications. However, many are unwilling to self-manage, preferring clinician-led care. This study is aimed at exploring factors associated with willingness to self-manage a pessary.

Methods

Women attending pessary clinic at a UK hospital were asked to complete a questionnaire providing responses on pessary use, comorbidities, female genital self-image, self-management experience and willingness (or not) to learn self-management. Based upon statistical advice we aimed to recruit 90 women. Data were analysed using the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test and Chi-squared test. Free text data were analysed thematically.

Results

A total of 89 women completed the questionnaire. Thirty-three women (38%) had previously been taught pessary self-management. Of the remaining women, 12 (21%) were willing to learn, 28 (50%) were not willing and 16 (29%) were unsure. There was no correlation between female genital self-image and willingness to self-manage a pessary. Younger women were more willing to learn self-management (p =  < 0.001). Willing women were motivated by reduced follow-up visits. Self-managing women reported benefits including increased autonomy, cleanliness and giving their body “a break”. Reasons discouraging women from self-managing were a lack of confidence; feeling physically unable; wanting clinician-led care; fear of problems or previous problems with their pessary.

Conclusions

Most women were either unsure about pessary self-management or unwilling to self-manage. Age was the only factor we found that had a significant relationship with willingness to self-manage a pessary. With robust self-management teaching, support and follow-up, it is likely that many of the barriers women report can be overcome.
Sex differences in behavior, cognitive, and physiological recovery following methamphetamine administration
Authors: Armenta-Resendiz Monserrat , Carter Jordan S. , Hunter Zachariah , Taniguchi Makoto , Reichel Carmela M. , Lavin Antonieta
Published: July 2024

Intact executive functions are required for proper performance of cognitive tasks and relies on balance of excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Hypofrontality is a state of decreased activity in the mPFC and is seen in several neuropsychiatric conditions, including substance use disorders. People who chronically use methamphetamine (meth) develop hypofrontality and concurrent changes in cognitive processing across several domains. Despite the fact that there are sex difference in substance use disorders, few studies have considered sex as a biological variable regarding meth-mediated hypoactivity in mPFC and concurrent cognitive deficits. Hypofrontality along with changes in cognition are emulated in rodent models following repeated meth administration. Here, we used a meth sensitization regimen to study sex differences in a Temporal Order Memory (TOM) task following short (7 days) or prolonged (28 days) periods of abstinence. GABAergic transmission, GABAA receptor (GABAAR) and GABA Transporter (GAT) mRNA expression in the mPFC were evaluated with patch-clamp recordings and RT-qPCR, respectively. Both sexes sensitized to the locomotor activating effects of meth, with the effect persisting in females. After short abstinence, males and females had impaired TOM and increased GABAergic transmission. Female rats recovered from these changes after prolonged abstinence, whereas male rats showed enduring changes. In general, meth appears to elicit an overall decrease in GABAAR expression after short abstinence; whereas GABA transporters are decreased in meth female rats after prolonged abstinence. These results show sex differences in the long-term effects of repeated meth exposure and suggest that females have neuroprotective mechanisms that alleviate some of the meth-mediated cognitive deficits.
Efficient characterization of multiple binding sites of small molecule imaging ligands on amyloid-beta, tau and alpha-synuclein
Authors: Sobek Jens , Li Junhao , Combes Benjamin F. , Gerez Juan A. , Henrich Martin T. , Geibl Fanni F. , Nilsson Peter R. , Shi Kuangyu , Rominger Axel , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Nitsch Roger M. , Nordberg Agneta , Ågren Hans , Ni Ruiqing
Published: July 2024

Purpose

There is an unmet need for compounds to detect fibrillar forms of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and 4-repeat tau, which are critical in many neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we aim to develop an efficient surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based assay to facilitate the characterization of small molecules that can bind these fibrils.

Methods

SPR measurements were conducted to characterize the binding properties of fluorescent ligands/compounds toward recombinant amyloid-beta (Aβ)42, K18-tau, full-length 2N4R-tau and αSyn fibrils. In silico modeling was performed to examine the binding pockets of ligands on αSyn fibrils. Immunofluorescence staining of postmortem brain tissue slices from Parkinson’s disease patients and mouse models was performed with fluorescence ligands and specific antibodies.

Results

We optimized the protocol for the immobilization of Aβ42, K18-tau, full-length 2N4R-tau and αSyn fibrils in a controlled aggregation state on SPR-sensor chips and for assessing their binding to ligands. The SPR results from the analysis of binding kinetics suggested the presence of at least two binding sites for all fibrils, including luminescent conjugated oligothiophenes, benzothiazole derivatives, nonfluorescent methylene blue and lansoprazole. In silico modeling studies for αSyn (6H6B) revealed four binding sites with a preference for one site on the surface. Immunofluorescence staining validated the detection of pS129-αSyn positivity in the brains of Parkinson’s disease patients and αSyn preformed-fibril injected mice, 6E10-positive Aβ in arcAβ mice, and AT-8/AT-100-positivity in pR5 mice.

Conclusion

SPR measurements of small molecules binding to Aβ42, K18/full-length 2N4R-tau and αSyn fibrils suggested the existence of multiple binding sites. This approach may provide efficient characterization of compounds for neurodegenerative disease-relevant proteinopathies.
Acquired ductopenia: an insight into imaging findings
Authors: Khot Rachita , Shelman Nathan R. , Ludwig Daniel R. , Nair Rashmi T. , Anderson Mark A. , Venkatesh Sudhakar K. , Paspulati Raj Mohan , Parker Rex A. , Menias Christine O.
Published: July 2024

Hepatic ductopenia is a pathologic diagnosis characterized by a decrease in the number of intrahepatic bile ducts as a consequence of various underlying etiologies. Some etiologies, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and ischemic cholangitis, often have distinctive imaging findings. In contrast, other causes such as chronic rejection following liver transplantation, drug-induced biliary injury, infection, malignancy such as lymphoma, and graft-versus-host disease may only have ancillary or non-specific imaging findings. Thus, diagnosing ductopenia in conditions with nonspecific imaging findings requires a multidimensional approach, including clinical evaluation, serological testing, imaging, and liver histology to identify the underlying cause. These etiologies lead to impaired bile flow, resulting in cholestasis, liver dysfunction, and, ultimately, cirrhosis and liver failure if the underlying cause remains untreated or undetected. In the majority of instances, individuals diagnosed with ductopenia exhibit a positive response to treatment addressing the root cause or cessation of the causative agent. This article focuses on acquired causes of ductopenia, its clinical manifestation, histopathology, imaging diagnosis, and management.

Graphical abstract