bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TheBacillus cereustoxin alveolysin disrupts the intestinal epithelial barrier by inducing microtubule disorganization through CFAP100
Authors: Sun Shuang , Xu Zhaoyang , Hu Haijie , Zheng Manxi , Zhang Liang , Xie Wei , Sun Lei , Liu Peiwei , Li Tianliang , Zhang Liangran , Chen Min , Zhu Xueliang , Liu Min , Yang Yunfan , Zhou Jun
Published: May 2023

Bacillus cereusis a Gram-positive bacterium that mainly causes self-limiting emetic or diarrheal illness but can also cause skin infections and bacteremia. Symptoms ofB. cereusingestion depend on the production of various toxins that target the gastric and intestinal epithelia. From a screen of bacterial isolates from human stool samples that compromised intestinal barrier function in mice, we identified a strain ofB. cereusthat disrupted tight and adherens junctions in the intestinal epithelium. This activity was mediated by the pore-forming exotoxin alveolysin, which increased the production of the membrane-anchored protein CD59 and of cilia- and flagella-associated protein 100 (CFAP100) in intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro, CFAP100 interacted with microtubules and promoted microtubule polymerization. CFAP100 overexpression stabilized microtubules in intestinal epithelial cells, leading to disorganization of the microtubule network and perturbation of tight and adherens junctions. The disruption of cell junctions by alveolysin depended on the increase in CFAP100, which in turn depended on CD59 and the activation of PI3K-AKT signaling. These findings demonstrate that, in addition to forming membrane pores,B. cereusalveolysin can permeabilize the intestinal epithelium by disrupting epithelial cell junctions in a manner that is consistent with intestinal symptoms and may allow the bacteria to escape the intestine and cause systemic infections. Our results suggest the potential value of targeting alveolysin or CFAP100 to preventB. cereus–associated intestinal diseases and systemic infections.
Experimental Evolution of the TolC-Receptor Phage U136B Functionally Identifies a Tail Fiber Protein Involved in Adsorption through Strong Parallel Adaptation
Authors: Burmeister Alita R. , Tzintzun-Tapia Eddy , Roush Carli , Mangal Ivan , Barahman Roxanna , Bjornson Robert D. , Turner Paul E.
Published: May 2023

Antibiotic resistance is a persistent problem in health care and a factor that may help maintain bacterial diversity in natural environments. Bacteriophages (“phages”) are viruses that specifically infect bacteria.
Type-I Interferon Signaling Protects against Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in the Female Lower Genital Tract
Authors: He Rongze , Torres Caroline Andrea , Wang Yihui , He Cheng , Zhong Guangming
Published: May 2023

We have previously shown that
Chlamydia trachomatis
is significantly inhibited during the early stage of infection in the female mouse lower genital tract and the anti-
C. trachomatis
innate immunity is compromised in the absence of cGAS-STING signaling. Since type-I interferon is a major downstream response of the cGAS-STING signaling, we evaluated the effect of type-I interferon signaling on
C. trachomatis
infection in the female genital tract in the current study.
Zika Virus Infection Induces Interleukin-1β-Mediated Inflammatory Responses by Macrophages in the Brain of an Adult Mouse Model
Authors: Jeong Gi Uk , Lee Sumin , Kim Do Yeon , Lyu Jaemyun , Yoon Gun Young , Kim Kyun-Do , Ku Keun Bon , Ko Junsu , Kwon Young-Chan
Published: May 2023

Zika virus (ZIKV) associated neurological impairments are an important global health problem. Our results suggest that ZIKV infection in the mouse brain can induce IL-1β-mediated inflammation and complement activation, thereby contributing to the development of neurological disorders.
Transcriptional Regulation of
Autophagy-Related Genes
by Sin3 Negatively Modulates Autophagy in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Wu Zhongling , Shi Huanbin , Li Yuan , Yan Fei , Sun Ziyue , Lin Chuyu , Xu Mengting , Lin Fucheng , Kou Yanjun , Tao Zeng
Published: May 2023

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved metabolic process and is required for the growth and pathogenicity of phytopathogenic fungi. The transcriptional regulators and precise mechanisms of regulating autophagy, as well as whether the induction or repression of
ATGs
is associated with autophagy level, are still poorly understood in
M. oryzae
.
Development of a Tetracycline-Inducible System for Conditional Gene Expression in Lactococcus lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus
Authors: Markakiou Sofia , Neves Ana Rute , Zeidan Ahmad A. , Gaspar Paula
Published: May 2023

Lactococcus lactis
and
Streptococcus thermophilus
are two industrially important lactic acid bacteria globally used in dairy fermentations and, therefore, are of considerable commercial interest to the food industry. Moreover, due to their general history of safe usage, these microorganisms are increasingly being explored as hosts for the production of heterologous proteins and various chemicals.
Identification of a Linear B Cell Epitope on p54 of African Swine Fever Virus Using Nanobodies as a Novel Tool
Authors: Zhao Huijun , Wang Gaijie , Dong Haoxin , Wu Shuya , Du Yongkun , Wan Bo , Ji Pengchao , Wu Yanan , Jiang Dawei , Zhuang Guoqing , Duan Hong , Zhang Gaiping , Zhang Angke
Published: May 2023

The ASFV p54 protein plays an important role in inducing neutralization antibodies
in vivo
after viral infection and is often used as a candidate protein for subunit vaccine development. The full understanding of the p54 protein epitope provides a sufficient theoretical basis for p54 as a vaccine candidate protein.
Bacterial Lipoproteins Shift Cellular Metabolism to Glycolysis in Macrophages Causing Bone Erosion
Authors: Nguyen Minh-Thu , Hu Zhicheng , Mohammad Majd , Schöttler Hannah , Niemann Silke , Schultz Michelle , Barczyk-Kahlert Katarzyna , Jin Tao , Hayen Heiko , Herrmann Mathias
Published: May 2023

Osteomyelitis caused by
S. aureus
is a severe infection of the bone, typically associated with severe bone function impairment, therapeutic failure, high morbidity, invalidity, and occasionally even death. The hallmark of staphylococcal osteomyelitis is the destruction of the cortical bone structures, yet the mechanisms contributing to this pathology are hitherto poorly understood.
Plasmer: an Accurate and Sensitive Bacterial Plasmid Prediction Tool Based on Machine Learning of Shared k-mers and Genomic Features
Authors: Zhu Qianhui , Gao Shenghan , Xiao Binghan , He Zilong , Hu Songnian
Published: May 2023

In this study, we proposed a novel plasmid prediction tool named Plasmer. Technically, unlike existing k-mer or genomic features-based methods, Plasmer is the first tool to combine the advantages of the percent of shared k-mers and the alignment score of genomic features.
Breaking plates: Creation of the East Anatolian fault, the Anatolian plate, and a tectonic escape system
Authors: Whitney Donna L. , Delph Jonathan R. , Thomson Stuart N. , Beck Susan L. , Brocard Gilles Y. , Cosca Michael A. , Darin Michael H. , Kaymakci Nuretdin , Meijers Maud J.M. , Okay Aral I. , Rojay Bora , Teyssier Christian , Umhoefer Paul J.
Published: May 2023

Lateral movement of lithospheric fragments along strike-slip faults in response to collision (escape tectonics) has characterized convergent settings since the onset of plate tectonics and is a mechanism for the formation of new plates. The Anatolian plate was created by the sequential connection of strike-slip faults following ≥10 m.y. of distributed deformation that ultimately localized into plate-bounding faults. Thermochronology data and seismic images of lithosphere structure near the East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ) provide insights into the development of the new plate and escape system. Low-temperature thermochronology ages of rocks in and near the EAFZ are significantly younger than in other fault zones in the region, e.g., apatite (U-Th)/He: 11–1 Ma versus 27–13 Ma. Young apatite (U-Th)/He ages and thermal history modeling record thermal resetting along the EAFZ over the past ~5 m.y. and are interpreted to indicate thermal activity triggered by strike-slip faulting in the EAFZ as it formed as a through-going, lithosphere-scale structure. The mechanism for EAFZ formation may be discerned from S-wave velocity images from the Continental Dynamics–Central Anatolian Tectonics (CD-CAT) seismic experiment. These images indicate that thin but strong Arabian lithospheric mantle extends ~50–150 km north beneath Anatolian crust and would have been located near the present surficial location of the Bitlis-Zagros suture zone (co-located with the EAFZ in our study area) at ca. 5 Ma. Underthrusting of strong Arabian lithosphere facilitated localization of the EAFZ and thus was a fundamental control on the formation of the Anatolian plate and escape system.
Do microcontinents nucleate subduction initiation?
Authors: Zhu Mingshuai , Yan Zhiyong , Pastor-Galán Daniel , Chen Lin , Miao Laicheng , Zhang Fuqin , Li Shun , Yang Shunhu
Published: May 2023

Subduction initiation is a pivotal process in plate tectonics. Models of subduction initiation include the collapse of passive margins, oceanic transform faults, inversion of oceanic core complexes, and ridge failure but have ignored the potential effects of continental crust relicts within the oceanic crust. In this paper, we explore the role of microcontinents on subduction initiation through two-dimensional thermo-mechanical numerical modeling. We consider three scenarios with variable ages of oceanic crust surrounding the microcontinent and parametrically examine the microcontinent characteristics (size, crustal thickness, thermal gradient, and rheology), oceanic plate age, and convergence rates. Results suggest that moderate-size (≥300 km) microcontinents can nucleate subduction initiation at the junction between continental and oceanic plates. A large part of the microcontinent would be dragged into the subduction zone, and the subsequent asthenosphere upwellings would incorporate part of the microcontinent. Our numerical models add a new hypothetical scenario for subduction initiation, especially for those places where a young and buoyant plate subducts beneath an older and denser oceanic plate. Moreover, they can explain the origin of exotic crust materials and ultrahigh-pressure minerals in supra–subduction zone ophiolites.
Déjà vécu with recollective confabulation: an unusual presentation of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhang Xin , Breen Nora , Parratt Kaitlyn
Published: May 2023

A man in his 80s presented with gradual onset of a persistent and delusion-like perception that novel encounters are repetitions of previous experiences. Within 2 years of symptom onset, he had impaired verbal memory and executive dysfunction on neuropsychological assessment. Cerebrospinal fluid core Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers analysis supported probable AD. Generalised and left temporal atrophy was seen on MRI of the brain. Neurological fludeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT showed left temporal and bilateral frontal lobe hypometabolism. His presenting symptom is known as déjà vécu with recollective confabulation, a rare phenomenon associated with AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. While several potential mechanisms have been previously proposed, the fludeoxyglucose-PET/CT hypometabolism in the temporal and frontal lobes in this case suggests dual deficits in recognition memory and metacognition may be culprit mechanisms. Although uncommon, déjà vécu with recollective confabulation is a fascinating phenomenon that can provide a unique insight into memory and delusional processes in dementia.
Trends of healthy and unhealthy working life expectancy in Germany between 2001 and 2020 at ages 50 and 60: a question of educational level?
Authors: Sperlich Stefanie , Beller Johannes , Epping Jelena , Geyer Siegfried , Tetzlaff Juliane
Published: May 2023

Background

Extending the number of active working years is an important goal both for maintaining individual quality of life and safeguarding social security systems. Against this background, we examined the development of healthy and unhealthy working life expectancy (HWLE/UHWLE) in the general population and for different educational groups.

Methods

The study is based on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel study, including 88 966 women and 85 585 men aged 50–64 years and covering four time periods (2001–05, 2006–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2020). Estimates of HWLE and UHWLE in terms of self-rated health (SRH) were calculated using the Sullivan’s method. We adjusted for hours worked and stratified by gender and educational level.

Results

Working-hours adjusted HWLE at age 50 increased in women and men from 4.52 years (95% CI 4.42 to 4.62) in 2001–2005 to 6.88 years (95% CI 6.78 to 6.98) in 2016–2020 and from 7.54 years (95% CI 7.43 to 7.65) to 9.36 years (95% CI 9.25 to 9.46), respectively. Moreover, UHWLE also rose with the proportion of working life spent in good SRH (health ratio) remaining largely stable. At age 50, educational differences in HWLE between the lowest and highest educational groups increased over time in women and in men from 3.72 to 4.99 years and from 4.06 to 4.40 years, respectively.

Conclusions

We found evidence for an overall increase but also for substantial educational differences in working-hours adjusted HWLE, which widened between the lowest and highest educational group over time. Our findings suggest that policies and health prevention measures at workplace should be more focused on workers with low levels of education in order to extend their HWLE.
Macrophage-inherited exosome excise tumor immunosuppression to expedite immune-activated ferroptosis
Authors: Wang Duo , Qiu Guanhua , Zhu Xiaoqi , Wang Qin , Zhu Chunyan , Fang Chao , Liu Junjie , Zhang Kun , Liu Yan
Published: May 2023

Background

Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM) remains an obstacle that jeopardizes clinical immunotherapy.

Methods

To address this concern, we have engineered an exosome inherited from M1-pheototype macrophages, which thereby retain functions and ingredients of the parent M1-phenotype macrophages. The delivered RSL3 that serves as a common ferroptosis inducer can reduce the levels of ferroptosis hallmarkers (eg, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase 4), break the redox homeostasis to magnify oxidative stress accumulation, promote the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins, and induce robust ferroptosis of tumor cells, accompanied with which systematic immune response activation can bbe realized. M1 macrophage-derived exosomes can inherit more functions and genetic substances than nanovesicles since nanovesicles inevitably suffer from substance and function loss caused by extrusion-arised structural damage.

Results

Inspired by it, spontaneous homing to tumor and M2-like macrophage polarization into M1-like ones are attained, which not only significantly magnify oxidative stress but also mitigate ITM including M2-like macrophage polarization and regulatory T cell decrease, and regulate death pathways.

Conclusions

All these actions accomplish a synergistic antitumor enhancement against tumor progression, thus paving a general route to mitigate ITM, activate immune responses, and magnify ferroptosis.
Nasal administration of recombinantNeospora caninumsecreting IL-15/IL-15Rα inhibits metastatic melanoma development in lung
Authors: Battistoni Arthur , Lantier Louis , di Tommaso Anne , Ducournau Céline , Lajoie Laurie , Samimi Mahtab , Coënon Loïs , Rivière Clément , Epardaud Mathieu , Hertereau Leslie , Poupée-Beaugé Agathe , Rieu Juliette , Mévélec Marie-Noëlle , Lee Gordon Scott , Moiré Nathalie , Germon Stephanie , Dimier-Poisson Isabelle
Published: May 2023

Background

Metastases are the leading cause of mortality in many cancer types and lungs are one of the most common sites of metastasis alongside the liver, brain, and bones. In melanoma, 85% of late-stage patients harbor lung metastases. A local administration could enhance the targeting of metastases while limiting the systemic cytotoxicity. Therefore, intranasal administration of immunotherapeutic agents seems to be a promising approach to preferentially target lung metastases and decrease their burden on cancer mortality. From observations that certain microorganisms induce an acute infection of the tumor microenvironment leading to a local reactivating immune response, microbial-mediated immunotherapy is a next-generation field of investigation in which immunotherapies are engineered to overcome immune surveillance and escape from microenvironmental cancer defenses.

Methods

The goal of our study is to evaluate the potential of the intranasal administration ofNeospora caninumin a syngeneic C57BL6 mouse model of B16F10 melanoma lung metastases. It also compares the antitumoral properties of a wild-typeN. caninumversusN. caninumsecreting human interleukin (IL)-15 fused to the sushi domain of the IL-15 receptor α chain, a potent activator of cellular immune responses.

Results

The treatment of murine lung metastases by intranasal administration of anN. caninumengineered to secrete human IL-15 impairs lung metastases from further progression with only 0,08% of lung surface harboring metastases versus 4,4% in wild-typeN. caninumtreated mice and 36% in untreated mice. The control of tumor development is associated with a strong increase in numbers, within the lung, of natural killer cells, CD8+T cells and macrophages, up to twofold, fivefold and sixfold, respectively. Analysis of expression levels of CD86 and CD206 on macrophages surface revealed a polarization of these macrophages towards an antitumoral M1 phenotype.

Conclusion

Administration of IL-15/IL-15Rα-secretingN. caninumthrough intranasal administration, a non-invasive route, lend further support toN. caninum-demonstrated clear potential as an effective and safe immunotherapeutic approach for the treatment of metastatic solid cancers, whose existing therapeutic options are scarce. Combination of this armed protozoa with an intranasal route could reinforce the existing therapeutic arsenal against cancer and narrow the spectrum of incurable cancers.
Occupational risks for infection with influenza A and B: a national case–control study covering 1 July 2006–31 December 2019
Authors: Torén Kjell , Albin Maria , Bergström Tomas , Alderling Magnus , Schioler Linus , Åberg Maria
Published: May 2023

Objectives

We investigated whether crowded workplaces, sharing surfaces and exposure to infections were factors associated with a positive test for influenza virus.

Methods

We studied 11 300 cases with a positive test for influenza A and 3671 cases of influenza B from Swedish registry of communicable diseases. Six controls for each case were selected from the population registry, with each control being assigned the index date of their corresponding case. We linked job histories to job-exposure matrices (JEMs), to assess different transmission dimensions of influenza and risks for different occupations compared with occupations that the JEM classifies as low exposed. We used adjusted conditional logistic analyses to estimate the ORs for influenza with 95% CI.

Results

The highest odds were for influenza were: regular contact with infected patients (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.54 to 1.73); never maintained social distance (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.59); frequently sharing materials/surfaces with the general public (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.48); close physical proximity (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.45 to 1.62) and high exposure to diseases or infections (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.64). There were small differences between influenza A and influenza B. The five occupations with the highest odds as compared with low exposed occupations were: primary care physicians, protective service workers, elementary workers, medical and laboratory technicians, and taxi drivers.

Conclusions

Contact with infected patients, low social distance and sharing surfaces are dimensions that increase risk for influenza A and B. Further safety measures are needed to diminish viral transmission in these contexts.
Evaluation of the regional distribution of the pediatric surgery workforce and surgical load in Brazil
Authors: Bustorff-Silva Joaquim , Miranda Marcio Lopes , Rosendo Amanda , Gerk Ayla , Oliveira-Filho Antonio Gonçalves
Published: May 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study is to examine the regional distribution of the pediatric surgery workforce and the expected local demand for pediatric surgical procedures in Brazil.

Methods

We collected data on the pediatric surgical workforce, surgical volume, Gross Domestic Product per capita, and mortality for gastrointestinal tract malformations (MGITM) across the different regions of Brazil for 2019.

Results

Data from the Federal Medical Council reported 1515 pediatric surgery registries in Brazil, corresponding to 1414 pediatric surgeons (some pediatric surgeons are registered in more than one state), or 2.4 pediatric surgeons per 100 000 children 14 years of age and younger. There were 828 men and 586 women. The mean age was 51.5±12.8 years, and the mean time from graduation was 3.4±5.7 years. There is a higher concentration of pediatric surgeons in the wealthier Central-West, South, and Southeast regions. Individual surgical volume ranged from 88 to 245 operations/year (average 146 operations/year) depending on the region. Of these, only nine (6.1%) were high-complexity (including neonatal) operations. MGITM tended to be higher in the poorer North and Northeast regions than in other regions of Brazil.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest significant disparities in the surgical workforce and workload across Brazil related to socioeconomic status. Regions with an increased surgical workforce were associated with lower MGITM. The average number of complex operations performed annually by each pediatric surgeon was considerably low. Strategic investment and well-defined health policies are imperative to enhance the quality of surgical care in the different regions of Brazil.

Level of evidence

Retrospective review; level IV.
Serum pro-surfactant protein B is correlated with clinical properties in osteosarcoma patients
Authors: Feng Shi , Fu Di , Zhang Yong , Zhang Le , Ji Yingnan , Li Hongqiu , A Liang
Published: May 2023

It is critical to find efficient non-invasive prognostic factor for osteosarcoma. In this study, we demonstrated that serum protein of pro-surfactant protein B (pro-SFTPB) may be a potential diagnostic indicator in osteosarcoma. We found that serum pro-SFTPB was highly expressed in osteosarcoma patients and presented good diagnostic value to discern osteosarcoma patients from non-osteosarcoma control subjects. Serum pro-SFTPB was also significantly correlated with advanced clinical stage, distant metastasis, and shorter overall survival. In addition, serum pro-SFTPB was demonstrated to be an independent prognostic factor for osteosarcoma. Overall, our study demonstrated that serum pro-SFTPB may be a useful diagnostic factor for osteosarcoma.
Micro-to-macroscaling of DFT-calculated IR spectra for spectrum-feature extraction and estimation of dielectric response
Authors: Lambrakos Samuel G. , Shabaev Andrew , Wallace Sonjae , Massa Lou
Published: May 2023

Extraction of experimental spectrum features from target molecules, for purpose of their detection, can be achieved by comparison to template spectra within a database. This study continues presentation of the concept of using density functional theory (DFT). DFT-calculated spectra are well posed for comparison to measured spectra, to the extent of their scalability to larger space–time scales. Specifically, the focus of this study is the scalability of DFT-calculated IR spectra with respect to meso- and macroscales, characteristic of dielectric response as measured using different IR spectroscopies. A case-study analysis concerning IR spectra scalability for caffeine is described. Caffeine is only used as an example of analysis that can be applied to PFAS molecules, which are our major interest.
Evaluating the use of Ca/Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratios to track Ca sources in sugar maple in Ontario
Authors: Nguyen T.H. , Watmough S.A. , Dang D.H.
Published: May 2023

Decades of acidic deposition and timber harvesting have depleted calcium (Ca) stocks in soils, especially at base-poor soils characterized by low base cation weathering rates. One approach to tracking Ca sources from soil is by using Ca/Sr ratios in vegetation, while 87Sr/86Sr ratios have also been used to estimate mineral weathering rates. To evaluate the uses of Ca/Sr ratios and Sr isotopes in identifying Ca sources in sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees, three base-poor sites on the Canadian Shield and three limestone sites in southern Ontario were sampled for Ca, Sr, and 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Higher Ca/Sr ratios in soil extracts and sugar maple tissues at base-rich sites compared with base-poor sites reflect different minerology among regions, while the Ca/Sr discrimination factor between roots and foliage indicated that internal cycling exerts a major control on Ca/Sr ratios in sugar maple. At the three off-shield sites, 87Sr/86Sr ratios in soil and tree tissues were higher than precipitation but were indistinguishable for off-shield sites. Mixing models using a 1.0 mol L−1 HCl soil extract as the weathering endmember indicated that a lower proportion of weathering Ca compared with other geochemical approaches. One potential explanation is that the extraction method dissolves more recalcitrant minerals to a greater extent than under field conditions, leading to a higher weathering rate endmember value used in the mixing model.
Magnetic circuit design of MR controller for improving the performance of the suspension
Authors: Chen Chong , Ma Ran , Ma Wan
Published: May 2023

Magnetorheological (MR) damper is widely used in civil engineering, heavy-duty vehicles to speed up safely, and so on. In this paper, an MR controller for adjusting the stiffness and damping of a semi-active air suspension is designed to improve the vibration resistance of the Electric Multiple Units suspension system. The 3D magnetic field simulations of the MR controller are carried out. The influences of factors such as shaft material, damping channel width, cylinder wall thickness on the magnetic induction intensity at the damping channel are studied. An orthogonal experiment is carried out and the optimal combination of the structural parameters is determined. Then, the four working conditions of the MR controller are simulated and analyzed, respectively, and its structure is improved to ensure its stability. Finally, using fluid simulation software analysis, it can be seen that due to the fluidity of magnetorheological fluids (MRFs), the heat generated by the coil has little effect on MRFs.
Galactic rotation dynamics in a new $$f({\mathcal {R}})$$ gravity model
Authors: Parbin Nashiba , Goswami Umananda Dev
Published: May 2023

We propose to test the viability of the recently introduced $$f(\mathcal {R})$$

f
(
R
)

gravity model in the galactic scales. For this purpose we consider test particles moving in stable circular orbits around the galactic center. We study the Palatini approach of $$f(\mathcal {R})$$

f
(
R
)

gravity via Weyl transformation, which is the frame transformation from the Jordan frame to the Einstein frame. We derive the expression of rotational velocities of test particles in the new $$f(\mathcal {R})$$

f
(
R
)

gravity model. For the observational data of samples of high surface brightness and low surface brightness galaxies, we show that the predicted rotation curves are well fitted with observations, thus implying that this model can explain flat rotation curves of galaxies. We also study an ultra diffuse galaxy, AGC 242019 which has been claimed in literature to be a dark matter dominated galaxy similar to low surface brightness galaxies with a slowly rising rotation curve. The rotation curve of this galaxy also fits well with the model prediction in our study. Furthermore, we studied the Tully–Fisher relation for the entire sample of galaxies and found that the model prediction shows the consistency with the data.
Study on the weak decay between two heavy baryons $${\mathcal {B}}_i(\frac{1}{2}^+)\rightarrow {\mathcal {B}}_f(\frac{3}{2}^+)$$ in the light-front quark model
Authors: Lu Fang , Ke Hong-Wei , Liu Xiao-Hai , Shi Yan-Liang
Published: May 2023

In this work, we study the weak decay between two heavy baryons $${\mathcal {B}}_i(\frac{1}{2}^+)\rightarrow {\mathcal {B}}_f(\frac{3}{2}^+)$$

B
i

(

1
2

+

)

→

B
f

(

3
2

+

)

in the light-front quark model where three-quark picture is employed for baryon. We derive general form of transition amplitude of $$ {\mathcal {B}}_i(\frac{1}{2}^+)\rightarrow {\mathcal {B}}_f(\frac{3}{2}^+)$$

B
i

(

1
2

+

)

→

B
f

(

3
2

+

)

, and analyze two specific cases of transitions: the weak decays of single heavy baryon $$\Sigma _{b} \rightarrow \Sigma _{c}^*$$

Σ
b

→

Σ

c

∗

and the decays of double-charmed baryon $$\Xi _{cc}\rightarrow \Sigma _{c}^*(\Xi _{c}^*)$$

Ξ

cc

→

Σ

c

∗

(

Ξ

c

∗

)

. We compute the hadronic form factors for the transitions and apply them to study the decay widths of the semi-leptonic $${\mathcal {B}}_i(\frac{1}{2}^+)\rightarrow {\mathcal {B}}_f(\frac{3}{2}^+) l\bar{\nu }_l$$

B
i

(

1
2

+

)

→

B
f

(

3
2

+

)

l

ν

¯

l

and non-leptonic $${\mathcal {B}}_i(\frac{1}{2}^+)\rightarrow {\mathcal {B}}_f(\frac{3}{2}^+)M$$

B
i

(

1
2

+

)

→

B
f

(

3
2

+

)

M

. Previously we studied the transition $$\Sigma _{b} \rightarrow \Sigma _{c}^*$$

Σ
b

→

Σ

c

∗

with the quark–diquark picture of baryon in the light-front quark model. Here we revisit this transition with three-quark picture of baryon. At the quark level, the transition $$\Sigma _{b} \rightarrow \Sigma _{c}^*$$

Σ
b

→

Σ

c

∗

is induced by the $$b\rightarrow c$$

b
→
c

transition.The subsystem of the two unchanged light quarks which possesses definite and same spin in initial and final state can be viewed as a spectator, so the spectator approximation can be applied directly. For the weak decay of doubly charmed baryon $$\Xi _{cc}$$

Ξ

cc

, a c quark decays to a light quark $$q_1$$

q
1

, so both the initial state cc and final state $$q_1q_2$$

q
1

q
2

($$q_1$$

q
1

and the original $$q_2$$

q
2

in initial state may be the same flavor quarks) which possess definite spin are no longer spectators. A rearrangement of quarks for initial and final states is adopted to isolate the unchanged subsystem $$cq_2$$

c

q
2

which can be viewed as the spectator approximately. Future measurements on these channels will constrain the nonperturbative parameter in the wavefunctions and test the model predictions.
The scalar exotic resonances $$X(3915), X(3960), X_0(4140)$$
Authors: Badalian A. M. , Simonov Yu. A.
Published: May 2023

The scalar resonances $$X(3915), X(3960), X_0(4140)$$

X

(
3915
)

,
X

(
3960
)

,

X
0

(
4140
)

are considered as exotic four-quark states: $$cq\bar{c} \bar{q}, cs\bar{c} \bar{s}, cs\bar{c}\bar{s}$$

c
q

c

¯

q

¯

,
c
s

c

¯

s

¯

,
c
s

c

¯

s

¯

, while the X(3863) is proved to be the $$c\bar{c}, 2\,^3P_0$$

c

c

¯

,
2

3

P
0

state. The masses and the widths of these resonances are calculated in the framework of the Extended Recoupling Model, where a four-quark system is formed inside the bag and has relatively small size ($$\lesssim 1.0$$

≲
1.0

 fm). Then the resonance X(3915) appears due to the transitions: $$J/\psi \omega $$

J
/
ψ
ω

into $$D^{*+}D^{*-}$$

D

∗
+

D

∗
-

(or $$D^{*0}\bar{D}^{*0})$$

D

∗
0

D

¯

∗
0

)

and back, while the X(3960) is created due to the transitions $$D_s^+D_s^-$$

D
s
+

D
s
-

into $$J/\psi \phi $$

J
/
ψ
ϕ

and back, and the $$X_0(4140)$$

X
0

(
4140
)

is formed in the transitions $$J/\psi \phi $$

J
/
ψ
ϕ

into $$D_s^{*+}D_s^{*-}$$

D
s

∗
+

D
s

∗
-

and back. The characteristic feature of the recoupling mechanism is that this type of resonances can be predominantly in the S-wave decay channels and has $$J^P=0^+$$

J
P

=

0
+

. In two-channel case the resonance occurs to be just near the lower threshold, while due to coupling to third channel (like the $$c\bar{c}$$

c

c

¯

channel) it is shifted up and lies by (20–30) MeV above the lower threshold. The following masses and widths are calculated: $$M(X(3915))=3920$$

M
(
X
(
3915
)
)
=
3920

 MeV, $$\Gamma (X(3915))=20$$

Γ
(
X
(
3915
)
)
=
20

 MeV; $$M(X(3960))=3970$$

M
(
X
(
3960
)
)
=
3970

 MeV, $$\Gamma (X(3960)=45(5)$$

Γ
(
X
(
3960
)
=
45
(
5
)

 MeV, $$M(X_0(4140))= 4120(20)$$

M
(

X
0

(
4140
)

)
=
4120

(
20
)

 MeV, $$\Gamma (X_0(4140))=100$$

Γ
(

X
0

(
4140
)

)
=
100

 MeV, which are in good agreement with experiment.
NeRFshop
Authors: Jambon Clément , Kerbl Bernhard , Kopanas Georgios , Diolatzis Stavros , Leimkühler Thomas , Drettakis George
Published: May 2023

Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs) have revolutionized novel view synthesis for captured scenes, with recent methods allowing interactive free-viewpoint navigation and fast training for scene reconstruction. However, the implicit representations used by these methods---often including neural networks and complex encodings---make them difficult to edit. Some initial methods have been proposed, but they suffer from limited editing capabilities and/or from a lack of interactivity, and are thus unsuitable for interactive editing of captured scenes. We tackle both limitations and introduce NeRFshop, a novel end-to-end method that allows users to interactively select and deform objects through cage-based transformations. NeRFshop provides fine scribble-based user control for the selection of regions or objects to edit, semi-automatic cage creation, and interactive volumetric manipulation of scene content thanks to our GPU-friendly two-level interpolation scheme. Further, we introduce a preliminary approach that reduces potential resulting artifacts of these transformations with a volumetric membrane interpolation technique inspired by Poisson image editing and provide a process that "distills" the edits into a standalone NeRF representation.
ManiLoco
Authors: Wan Dayu , Guo Xiaolei , Dong Jiahui , Mousas Christos , Chen Yingjie
Published: May 2023

The use of virtual reality (VR) in laboratory skill training is rapidly increasing. In such applications, users often need to explore a large virtual environment within a limited physical space while completing a series of hand-based tasks (e.g., object manipulation). However, the most widely used controller-based teleport methods may conflict with the users' hand operation and result in a higher cognitive load, negatively affecting their training experiences. To alleviate these limitations, we designed and implemented a locomotion method called ManiLoco to enable hands-free interaction and thus avoid conflicts and interruptions from other tasks. Users can teleport to a remote object's position by taking a step toward the object while looking at it. We evaluated ManiLoco and compared it with state-of-the-art Point & Teleport in a within-subject experiment with 16 participants. The results confirmed the viability of our foot- and head-based approach and better support concurrent object manipulation in VR training tasks. Furthermore, our locomotion method does not require any additional hardware. It solely relies on the VR head-mounted display (HMD) and our implementation of detecting the user's stepping activity, and it can be easily applied to any VR application as a plugin.
Pixel-wise Guidance for Utilizing Auxiliary Features in Monte Carlo Denoising
Authors: Han Kyu Beom , Odenthal Olivia G. , Kim Woo Jae , Yoon Sung-Eui
Published: May 2023

Auxiliary features such as geometric buffers (G-buffers) and path descriptors (P-buffers) have been shown to significantly improve Monte Carlo (MC) denoising. However, recent approaches implicitly learn to exploit auxiliary features for denoising, which could lead to insufficient utilization of each type of auxiliary features. To overcome such an issue, we propose a denoising framework that relies on an explicit pixel-wise guidance for utilizing auxiliary features. First, we train two denoisers, each trained by a different auxiliary feature (i.e., G-buffers or P-buffers). Then we design our ensembling network to obtain per-pixel ensembling weight maps, which represent pixel-wise guidance for which auxiliary feature should be dominant at reconstructing each individual pixel and use them to ensemble the two denoised results of our denosiers. We also propagate our pixel-wise guidance to the denoisers by jointly training the denoisers and the ensembling network, further guiding the denoisers to focus on regions where G-buffers or P-buffers are relatively important for denoising. Our result and show considerable improvement in denoising performance compared to the baseline denoising model using both G-buffers and P-buffers. The source code is available at https://github.com/qbhan/GuidanceMCDenoising.
Fast Position-based Multi-Agent Group Dynamics
Authors: Weiss Tomer
Published: May 2023

We present a novel method for simulating groups moving in formation. Recent approaches for simulating group motion operate via forces or velocity-connections. While such approaches are effective for several cases, they do not easily scale to large crowds, irregular formation shapes, and they provide limited fine-grain control over agent and group behaviors. In this paper we propose a novel approach that addresses these difficulties via positional constraints, with a position-based dynamics solver. Our approach allows real-time, interactive simulation of a variety of group numbers, formation shapes, and scenarios of up to thousands of agents.
Real-Time Sand Dune Simulation
Authors: Taylor Brennen , Keyser John
Published: May 2023

We present a novel real-time method for simulating aeolian sand transport and dune propagation. Our method is a GPU-based extension of the Desertscapes Simulation sand propagation model to additionally capture echo dunes and obstacle interaction. We validate our method by comparing it against an existing study of echo dune evolution in a wind tunnel environment. Additionally, we demonstrate the significantly improved performance of our method via comparison to the existing, CPU-based method. Lastly, we validate our method by comparing it to a published study exploring the evolution of dunes in a bidirectional wind environment driven by an offline, cellular autonoma based method. We conclude that the presented method is a simple and helpful tool for users in multiple domains who wish to capture physically plausible desertscape evolution in real time.
MC
2
: Unsupervised Multiple Social Network Alignment
Authors: Sun Li , Zhang Zhongbao , Li Gen , Ji Pengxin , Su Sen , Yu Philip S.
Published: May 2023

Social network alignment, identifying social accounts of the same individual across different social networks, shows fundamental importance in a wide spectrum of applications, such as link prediction and information diffusion. Individuals more often than not join in multiple social networks, and it is in fact much too expensive or even impossible to acquiring supervision for guiding the alignment. To the best of our knowledge, few method in the literature can align multiple social networks without supervision. In this article, we propose to study the problem of unsupervised multiple social network alignment. To address this problem, we propose a novel unsupervised model of joint Matrix factorization with a diagonal Cone under orthogonal Constraint, referred to as MC
2
. Its core idea is to embed and align multiple social networks in the common subspace via an unsupervised approach. Specifically, in MC
2
model, we first design a matrix optimization to infer the common subspace from different social networks. To address the nonconvex optimization, we then design an efficient alternating algorithm by leveraging its inherent functional property. Through extensive experiments on real-world datasets, we demonstrate that the proposed MC
2
model significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.
Context-Based Novel Histogram Bin Stretching Algorithm for Automatic Contrast Enhancement
Authors: Srinivas Kankanala , Bhandari Ashish Kumar
Published: May 2023

This article presents CHBS, a novel context-based histogram bin stretching method that enhances the contrast by increasing the range of gray levels and randomness among the gray levels. It comprises image spatial contextual information and discrete cosine transform (DCT). It constitutes the global enhancement with the context-based histogram bin stretching and local details with the DCT. First, it uses the spatial similarities among surrounding pixels to generate random numbers. Unlike the other methods, the similarity map is generated based on the neighboring pixels’ mutual relationship. Intensity values are distributed among the available dynamic range to generate a global contrast-enhanced image. Second, the DCT is further applied to the previous contrast-enhanced image to adjust its local details automatically. Several experiments are conducted on the different levels of contrast degraded images. Both subjective and objective assessment outcomes validate that the projected approach is better or comparable with several state-of-the-art approaches in terms of brightness preservation, richer details, and natural appearance.
Investigation of Contact Resistance Between Sputter-Deposited ITO and Mist-CVD-Deposited InSnZnO for Transparent Thin-Film Transistors Applications
Authors: Liu Han-Yin , Liao Yu-Jie
Published: May 2023

The transparent thin-film transistors based on InSnZnO are investigated in this study. The Al2O3 and InSnZnO thin films deposited using mist chemical vapor deposition (mist CVD) are respectively used as the gate insulating and channel layers. The indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films deposited using the radio frequency (RF) sputtering method are served as the source/drain and gate electrodes. When the RF power of 45 W is used to deposit the ITO film, the lowest specific contact resistance of 9.7 × 10−3 Ω-cm2 and high optical transmittance of 72.4% are obtained. Furthermore, the thin-film transistor with ITO as the source/drain electrodes exhibits more stable electrical characteristics than the one with Al.
A modular analysis of bile canalicular function and its implications for cholestasis
Authors: Gupta Kapish
Published: May 2023

Hepatocytes produce bile components and secrete them into a lumen, known as a bile canaliculus, that is formed by the apical membranes of adjoining hepatocytes. Bile canaliculi merge to form tubular structures that subsequently connect to the canal of Hering and larger intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts formed by cholangiocytes, which modify bile and enable flow through the small intestine. The major functional requirements for bile canaliculi are the maintenance of canalicular shape to preserve the blood-bile barrier and regulation of bile flow. These functional requirements are mediated by functional modules, primarily transporters, the cytoskeleton, cell-cell junctions, and mechanosensing proteins. I propose here that bile canaliculi behave as robust machines whereby the functional modules act in a coordinated manner to perform the multistep task of maintaining canalicular shape and bile flow. Cholestasis, the general term for aberrant bile flow, stems from drug/toxin-induced or genetic dysregulation of one or more of the protein components in the functional modules. Here, I discuss the interactions between components of the various functional modules in bile canaliculi and describe how these functional modules regulate canalicular morphology and function. I use this framework to provide a perspective on recent studies of bile canalicular dynamics.
Recent Advances in Senolysis for Age-Related Diseases
Authors: Aratani Sae , Nakanishi Makoto
Published: May 2023

Cellular senescence plays a central role in aging and geriatric diseases. Senolysis is a promising new strategy that selectively kills and eliminates senescent cells to control aging. To date, various senolytic drugs have been discovered and shown efficacy. This review highlights how we can benefit from senolysis.
Fabrication and Experimental Estimation of Mechanical Properties of Kevlar-Glass/Epoxy Interwoven Composite Laminate
Authors: Joshua J. Jensin , Singh Dalbir , Vennelakanti Sai Hemanth Kumar , Sivaprakasam P. , Joseph D. Raja , Venkatanarayanan P. S.
Published: May 2023

Hybrid composites made of natural and synthetic fibers are stronger, lighter, cheaper, biodegradable, and greener than conventional metals, and they are replacing conventional metals. The primary objective of the study was to examine the mechanical properties of interwoven hybrid composite laminates. Kevlar and glass fiber are used as reinforcement for this work. The fibers are woven together using various weaving techniques. 1 × 1, 3 × 3, and 5 × 5 weaving patterns are considered to explore the properties of the laminates. The composites are woven using a conventional handloom method. As a matrix, LY556 resin and HY951 hardener are combined at a ratio of 10 : 1. The composites are cured using compression molding. The cured composites are assessed for their tensile strength, flexural strength, compressive strength, interlaminar shear strength, impact strength, and fracture toughness. The highest tensile, compressive, and flexural strength were found in the 1 × 1 pattern, shear strength and fracture toughness were found in the 5 × 5 pattern, which finds applications in aerospace and defense sectors, and 3 × 3 dominated in impact strength; as a result, it can be used in bulletproof applications. At last, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to visualize the matrix-reinforcement bonding. The microscopic images show the ripped-out fibers because of the tensile test. The shards in SEM are evident that impact force breaks the matrix elements in a brittle manner.
A Case Series of Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Immunocompromised Pediatric Patients
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed Y. , Taylor Jane B. , Aneja Rajesh K. , Wang Qian , Williams John V.
Published: May 2023

Diagnosis and management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients are extremely challenging. These patients can have atypical clinical courses, and there is a paucity of data regarding clinical features, diagnostic findings, and the safety and efficacy of available therapeutic agents used to treat COVID-19 in these patients. In this case series, we report atypical COVID-19 presentations in 4 immunocompromised pediatric patients who were admitted with acute respiratory failure after an initial diagnosis of COVID-19 a few weeks earlier. All patients included in this cohort showed persistent worsening respiratory symptoms for several weeks before hospital presentation. While they manifested common COVID-19 sequelae, they also had rare COVID-19-related pathognomonic and radiographic features developed along their hospital course. Multiple therapeutic agents were used in their COVID-19 management, including corticosteroids, remdesivir, and monoclonal antibodies. All three patients who have received concurrent therapy with remdesivir, hydrocortisone, and monoclonal antibodies survived, and only one patient died as a direct complication of COVID-19 ARDS with secondary pulmonary mucormycosis. Our outcomes suggest the potential benefit of remdesivir use in combination with hydrocortisone and monoclonal antibodies in the management of severe COVID-19 ARDS in this group, as well as the importance of close surveillance and early administration of broad empirical antimicrobial and antifungal coverage if clinically indicated in this high-risk population.