bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergetic Effect of Gas Compositions on Material Properties of n‐Type Nanocrystalline Silicon Oxide Prepared by Plasma‐Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Qiu Depeng , Duan Weiyuan , Lambertz Andreas , Bittkau Karsten , Rau Uwe , Ding Kaining
Published: March 2024

Hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon oxide (nc‐SiOx:H) has drawn extensive attention during the past years for the utilization of silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. This material is demonstrated to be the key to the performance improvement of SHJ solar cells. Herein, the influence of the process gas compositions on the optical, electronic, chemical, and structural properties of n‐type nc‐SiOx:H films at the thickness of 38 nm is systematically investigated. The synergetic effect of CO2 and PH3 gas flow fraction ( and ) and the synergetic effect of CO2 and SiH4 gas flow fraction ( and ) on the growth of nc‐SiOx:H (n) films are demonstrated. Creatively combining the Fourier‐transform infrared, UV‐Raman scattering spectroscopy, spectroscopy ellipsometry, and photo‐thermal deflection spectroscopy measurement, the mechanism behind the synergetic effect of the gas compositions on the material properties is analyzed.
FE‐basierte Bemessung von Kranbahnen
Authors: Steinmetz Robin , Taras Andreas
Published: March 2024

Die wirtschaftliche und sichere Konstruktion und Bemessung von Kranbahnträgern ist eine herausfordernde Aufgabe im Industriestahlbau. Dieser Beitrag vergleicht anhand eines konkreten Beispiels eines Kranbahnträgers die konventionelle analytische Nachweisführung mit einer Bemessung basierend auf der Finite‐Elemente‐Methode (FEM) gemäß prEN 1993‐1‐14. Die prEN 1993‐1‐14, welche derzeit im Entwurf vorliegt und die FEM‐Berechnung von Stahlbauten regelt, verspricht eine effizientere und genauere Ermittlung des Tragverhaltens von Kranbahnträgern durch direkte Simulation komplexerer Tragwerke und Lastzustände. Das im Beispiel betrachtete System entspricht einem einfeldrigen Kranbahnträger mit einer Stützweite von 10,0 m und einem geschweißten Querschnitt. Die Bemessung umfasst die Nachweisführung gegen Biegedrillknicken und Schubbeulen des Stegs. Im Beitrag werden Einblicke in Genauigkeit, Effizienz und Anwendbarkeit der FEM‐Analyse für die Bemessung von Kranbahnträgern geliefert.
Language choices in post‐observation conferences: L1 or L2, that is the question
Authors: Zhuo Meifang
Published: March 2024

Feedback within the context of post‐observation conferences (POCs) is critical for English language teachers' professional development. To date, however, surprisingly there has not yet been any study on language choices for feedback communication in POCs, considering around 80% of English language teachers worldwide are nonnative‐English speakers (NNESs) (Moussu, 2018). This study adopts the research paradigm of social constructivism, with a qualitative design to explore language choices (Chinese as L1 and English as L2) by one Chinese mentor and four Chinese mentees in POCs, in a near‐peer mentoring project in a UK‐based MA TESOL program. Data collected include two POCs, a mentor interview, and four mentee questionnaire answers. The data were analysed in depth by data reduction and inductive content analysis. It was found that both emotional and practical reasons resulted in the language decisions by the mentor and the mentees in the POCs. Albeit with small sample size, this study shows the intricacy of language use by NNESs in POCs in preservice teacher education programs and provides insights into how both mentor and mentees can be empowered as active agents capable of making judicious use of L1 and L2 for effective feedback communication in POCs.
Resolving pedagogical dilemmas with preservice and in‐service teachers in Japan
Authors: Hall James M.
Published: March 2024

A pedagogical dilemma occurs when an in‐class event or external factor challenges a teacher's principles or instructional practices and compels the teacher to resolve the dilemma. This article focuses on how resolving dilemmas can enhance the conceptual understanding of both student teachers and their supervisors. The supervisory setting this article describes—university instructors in Japan supervising preservice and in‐service teachers—has not been extensively researched. The article presents three case studies: two on supervising preservice teachers and one on supervising an in‐service teacher. Although approaches to supervision emphasize the facilitative aspect, the case studies of the preservice teachers exhibited circumstances more conducive to a directive‐oriented approach. Nevertheless, with the assistance of the supervisors, the preservice teachers were able to develop episodic knowledge of pedagogical concepts through navigating the dilemmas they experienced. The case study with the in‐service teacher, on the other hand, required a more facilitative approach to supervision. It suggests that the supervisor should understand and accommodate the pedagogical concepts under which the teacher operates to provide useful support in resolving classroom‐based dilemmas.
Translanguaging with gendered and racialized bodies: A duoethnography of two transnational Asian women teacher‐scholars
Authors: Kim Miso , Lee Eunjeong
Published: March 2024

This duoethnography traces two transnational woman teacher‐scholars' translanguaging pedagogies for equitable language and literacy education. Research on translanguaging has highlighted how lived experiences of transnational language and literacy educators crucially shape their language ideology, and professional identities and pedagogical practices (Motha et al., 2012). Extending this discussion, this duoethnography (Lawrence & Lowe, 2020; Norris & Sawyer, 2012) details how material and ideological conditions, along with our lived experiences, shape teachers' orientation to and enactment of translanguaging pedagogies. Through narratives and dialogue, the authors found that their translanguaging has intersected with their gendered and racialized positionalities in their own locale, and these experiences shape their translanguaging praxes. The authors argue that enacting translanguaging pedagogies necessitates teachers' reflexivity on their unequal lived experiences of varied language and literacies from their positionalities, and negotiation with material and ideological constraints. They conclude by suggesting implications for fellow teachers and teacher educators.
Towards understanding the failure of new public management in the MENA region: Are informal networks to blame?
Authors: Alsarhan Fadi , Al‐Twal Arwa
Published: March 2024

This study aims to understand the main factors that contribute to the failure of implementing New Public Management (NPM) plans, as well as to investigate the potential link between informal networks, namely wasta, and this failure in organizations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region), with Jordanian public organizations taken as an illustrative case. A qualitative approach was applied, and a total of 24 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with HR officials in Jordanian public organizations, different state‐owned enterprises (SOEs), ministries, and government agencies (GAs). The results show that wasta contributes to the failure of NPM implementation in Jordanian public organizations, indicating that public employees contribute directly to the failure of NPM strategies in Jordanian public organizations for many reasons on top of which their resistance to these reform plans. Our findings also suggest that the implementation of NPM strategies failed to diminish the use of wasta in HRM practices even though wasta was an important reason to implement NPM. This study adds knowledge to the limited informal networks literature, by exploring the interplay between informal networks on one side, and the NPM literature on the other side.
A management framework for sudden water pollution: A systematic review output
Authors: Bello Nura , Jamil Nor Rohaizah , Looi Ley Juen , Yap Ng Keng
Published: March 2024

Numerous sudden water pollution (SWP) incidents have occurred frequently in recent years, constituting a potential risk to human, socio‐economic, and ecological health. This paper systematically reviews the current literature, with the view to establishing a management framework for SWP incidents. Only 39 of the 327 downloaded articles were selected, and the ROSES protocol was utilized in this review. The results indicated industries, mining sites, and sewage treatment plants as key SWP contributors through accidental leakages, traffic accidents, illegal discharge, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. These processes also presented five consequences, including the contamination of drinking water sources, disruption of drinking water supply, ecological damage, loss of human life, and agricultural water pollution. Meanwhile, five mitigation strategies included reservoir operation, real‐time monitoring, early warning, and chemical and biological treatments. Although an advancement in mitigation strategies against SWP was observed in this review, previous studies reported only a few prevention strategies. Considering that this review provided an SWP‐based management framework and a hydrodynamic model selection guideline, which provide a foundation for implementing proactive measures against the SWP. These guidelines and the SWP‐based management framework require practical field trials for future studies.

Practitioner Points

Sudden water pollution increases with industrial growth but decrease with awareness.

Human and ecosystem health and social economy are the endpoint receptacles.

Mitigation strategies include reservoir dispatch, early warning, and treatments.

DPSIR model forms the basis for proving proactive measures against sudden pollution.

This review provides a guideline for the selection hydrodynamic models application.
Circular Economy Self-assessment Tool for Hotels
Authors: Segarra-Oña Marival , Peiró-Signes Ángel , Sánchez-Planelles Joaquín , Poveda-Pareja Esther
Published: March 2024

The hotel industry is immersed in a debate about the negative externalities derived from its activity, which makes the effective development of the Circular Economy increasingly necessary to achieve the desired levels of sustainability. To this end, the main purpose of this chapter is to develop a basic measurement and evaluation framework for measuring and evaluating the circular level of hotels as a tool for monitoring and planning their circular actions. This model aims to address the lack of homogeneity in existing circularity models by developing standardized indicators, methods, and procedures for the hotel sector. To achieve it, the methodology is based on the creation of a tool composed of 5 dimensions (Circularity management, Energy, Water, Waste and Food waste) from which valuable conclusions are drawn for managers in the sector. Specifically, a specific self-assessment tool is created to evaluate the level of circularity that allows hotels not only to comply with pioneering laws such as 3/2022 of the Balearic Islands, but also to anticipate and expand future circularity requirements by incorporating additional indicators to those required by the law, as well as evaluation scales and a guide of good practices that gives the tool a practical and useful character for hotels that want to improve their circular practices.
Importance of Culture and Innovation in Behaviors Towards the Circular Economy in Spanish Hotels
Authors: Marco-Lajara Bartolomé , Úbeda-García Mercedes , Poveda-Pareja Esther , Manresa-Marhuenda Encarnación
Published: March 2024

As a result of social, technological and economic changes, there is a need to transform the currently dominant linear economic paradigm into one of circular economy. This transformation requires the implementation of effective green innovations that economically and environmentally encourage their main potential promoters: companies and managers. The objective of this research is to verify whether, as in other industries, green innovation has positive effects on the firms’ corporate performance in the accommodation industry, evaluating whether the organizational culture enhances the success of this type of innovation. Proposals developed have been contrasted with an empirical analysis on a sample of 202 tourist accommodation on the Spanish coast, especially hotels, using the Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) technique. The results obtained support the positive effect of green innovation on corporate performance, as well as the importance of the robustness of an organizational culture that supports the exploitation of this type of innovation in terms of results. The conclusions that are derived are especially relevant since they highlight the importance of a culture based on commitment and innovation that favors the implementation of the circular economy model in the tourism sector.
Geolocation Data as a Research Tool for the Organization of the Settlement System and Mobility Mapping – Case Study of the Spatial Mobility Model in Czechia
Authors: Jaroš Václav
Published: March 2024

Geolocation data is a widely used source of the spatial information about the population. Their great potential might be also used for population mobility research to identify spatial interactions forming the hierarchical structure of the settlement system. For this purpose, a model of data acquisition and their preliminary analysis was developed. This model represents an effective tool for mapping the mobility behavior of the population. Using the example of Czechia, primary commuting links are identified, which are subsequently analyzed in detail using GIS tools in both desktop and online environments. Therefore, important commuting centers of different hierarchical levels are defined by the volume and nature of spatial interactions. This approach is used as a source of important expertise for the proposals on subsequent administration reform in Czechia. Nevertheless, the entire model is generally transferable, and the entire method of using the geolocation data for mapping the hierarchy within the settlement system can be replicated in other countries as well.
Challenges in Regulating Online Hate-Speech Within the Norwegian Context
Authors: Dralega Carol Azungi , Igland Torborg , Seddighi Gilda
Published: March 2024

Recent research shows that online hate-speech is on the rise in western societies, including in Norway. This submission builds on a broader 4-year research initiative on: “Violence-inducing Behavior Prevention in Social-Cyber Space of Local Communities” aimed at gaining deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding online hate as well as developing radical technological solutions (i.e., real-time artificial intelligence tool) to support authorities in their work against the vice. This paper addresses the former with a focus on the work of the police as one of several other community resilience stakeholders engaging in the fight against online hate-speech. The paper posits a socio-cultural, technological, and ethical analysis of the challenges, posed particularly in the enforcement of legislation on hate-speech (paragraph 185). Reflections are also included on the implication of the findings for AI development for community resilience against online hate speech.
How to Be a Well-Prepared Organizer: Studying the Causal Effects of City Events on Human Mobility
Authors: Chen Jiyuan , Wang Hongjun , Fan Zipei , Song Xuan
Published: March 2024

The analysis of how city events causally affect human mobility is of critical importance. The city government will be thrilled to know how an impending event will influence mobility beforehand, so that they can either decide specifically when and where the event will be held (or not), or be more prepared for some possible circumstances such as crowd collapses and crushes. Previous research on human mobility mainly focuses on simple future prediction based on data correlation, yet the study on the underlying causal effect is woefully inadequate. Motivated by the recent tragedy, the Itaewon Halloween disaster, in this paper we try to explore the causal effects of city events on human mobility using counterfactual prediction. The main technical challenge here lies in capturing and debiasing the time-varying unobservable confounders (e.g., people’s willingness to go outdoors) that affect both the event organization and the number of event participants. Fortunately, the increasing sources of time-varying data offer the possibility to refactor such confounding effects from observation. To this end, we utilize multiple sources of observation data in New York City to construct a neural network-based causal framework, which automatically learns and balances the time-varying unobservable confounders representations and provides estimations for the ITE problem.
Modeling of the Human Cognition for the Metaverse-Oriented Design System Development
Authors: Hong Yan , Jiang Zhonghua , Guo Song , Zeng Xianyi , Li Xinping
Published: March 2024

Metaverse can fully satisfy users’ design scenarios, meeting their emotional and functional imaginations without any physical constraints, and its superior functionality makes it particularly suitable for the design domain. However, because the interactivity that the Metaverse can provide has not been fully exploited, its application in the design domain has not been studied. In this paper, we propose an interactive design system for the metaverse to enhance human interaction with the metaverse and to realize the interconnection between digital and real spaces. The system is expected to integrate the physical content of the design (including product components) with the designer’s expertise. To this end, we modeled the product design process and its associated design knowledge, which is key to realizing the system. The designer’s expertise was extracted and modeled as multiple perceptual-cognitive models. A fuzzy transformer method was innovatively developed for the computational modeling of the perceptual cognitive models. Using these models, user-system interactions and interactions between virtual and real products were enhanced. This work provides a conceptual framework for a Metaverse interaction design system based on computational modeling of human perceptual cognition. The proposed system greatly extends the scope of Metaverse applications for the development of various product design systems.
I-KNOW-FOO: Interlinking and Creating Knowledge Graphs for Near-Zero CO2 Emission Diets and Sustainable FOOd Production
Authors: Simsek-Senel Görkem , Rijgersberg Hajo , Öztürk Bengü , Weits Jeroen , Fensel Anna
Published: March 2024

It is already known that the diet of the world’s population has a massive impact on climate change. However, how climate change affects the growing conditions of ingredients for different foods and beverages, and emission rates due to, for example, production and logistics are still not known. In this work, different datasets have been explored to study the feasibility of interlinking datasets to automatically generate alternatives for climate change-sensitive food items selection and substitution. A core question to be answered is what the alternatives of the mostly consumed crops in current diets in the Netherlands in case of a climate change can be. The main crop attributes taken into account are nutritional composition and the growing conditions. The growing conditions of three most-consumed crops in the Netherlands have been linked manually to their nutritional composition data and a corresponding knowledge graph is created. This study shows that linking various data semantically promises to generate alternatives automatically.
A Comprehensive Framework for Detecting Behavioural Anomalies in the Elderly
Authors: Jain Ankit , Srivastava Abhishek
Published: March 2024

The world is seeing a rapid increase in the population of the aged. This, combined with a shortage of affordable care-giving manpower, leads to a dependence on automated systems for monitoring the well-being of the elderly and detecting abnormalities. There exist techniques based on sensors of various types to detect and recognize the daily activities of the elderly and detect anomalies. While such sensor-based techniques are effective at detecting immediate exigencies, they are unable to comprehend gradual deterioration in the behavior of the elderly indicating conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, for example. This aspect is also not properly addressed in the literature. This paper introduces an approach for the comprehensive detection of anomalies in the activities of the elderly using a graph-based approach. The approach employs dynamic activity graphs where anomalies are detected using a dissimilarity score. It is capable of detecting both short-term and long-term anomalies in the daily activities of the elderly.
Analysis of Autonomous Many-Body Particle Models from Geometric Perspective and Its Applications
Authors: Tsujimoto Satoshi , Kato Tsuyoshi , Kojima Ryosuke , Maeda Kazuki , Zanlungo Francesco
Published: March 2024

By introducing geometrical perspectives such as tropical geometry and discrete Morse theory, which have made remarkable progress, we will discuss analytical methods and the development of basic models for autonomous many-body particle interaction systems. In particular, the Burgers Cellular Automaton, which is considered to be the basic traffic flow model, is analyzed by introducing critical cells of discrete Morse theory. An extension to a quantum walk model that takes into account the internal states of particles is also proposed. Finally, future prospects for the application of the geometric perspective to pedestrian flow models are discussed.
Graph Optimization Problems and Algorithms for DAG-Type Blockchains
Authors: Kawahara Jun
Published: March 2024

The scalability of a blockchain is an issue when applying blockchain techniques to the management of mobility history and payment information. One way to solve this problem is to adopt a DAG-type (Directed Acyclic Graph-type) blockchain. We describe methods for analyzing DAG-type blockchains mathematically and for identifying trustworthy blocks from a graph algorithm theoretical perspective.
System-Control-Based Approach to Car-Sharing Systems
Authors: Sakurama Kazunori , Kashima Kenji , Ikeda Takuya , Hayashi Naoki , Hoshino Kenta , Ogura Masaki , Zhao Chengyan
Published: March 2024

In recent years, car-sharing services have become a form of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS). These services and their demand are likely to increase owing to their high convenience to users. Nevertheless, the current one-way car-sharing service raises significant challenges to the operator, the most pertinent of which is the uneven distribution of vehicles. A straightforward solution for this problem is the relocation or rebalancing of vehicles by the operator; however, reducing the labor cost of vehicle relocation is a difficult optimization problem, which has attracted considerable research attention. The present study addresses this issue by applying system control approaches, including dynamic pricing, to common decentralized policy, sparse optimal control, a consensus-based primal-dual method with event-triggered communication, optimal control of probability distribution, and a DC program. This chapter reports on the study illustrating that system control approaches are promising for mobility innovation.
Algorithms for Future Mobility Society
Authors: Kawase Yasushi , Makino Kazuhisa , Sumita Hanna
Published: March 2024

In this chapter, we focus on combinatorial optimization problems related to mobility societies. We briefly explain the main existing approaches for solving basic optimization problems and the advanced frameworks that capture realistic problems: online optimization and mechanism design. In relation to these topics, we introduce our results obtained from a joint project between Kyoto University and Toyota Motor Corporation.
Gopakumar-Vafa invariants and the Emergent String Conjecture
Authors: Rudelius Tom
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The Emergent String Conjecture of Lee, Lerche, and Weigand holds that every infinite-distance limit in the moduli space of a quantum gravity represents either a decompactification limit or an emergent string limit in some duality frame. Within the context of 5d supergravities coming from M-theory compactifications on Calabi-Yau threefolds, we find evidence for this conjecture by studying (a) the gauge couplings and (b) the BPS spectrum, which is encoded in the Gopakumar-Vafa invariants of the threefold. In the process, we disuss a testable geometric consequence of the Emergent String Conjecture, and we verify that it is satisfied in all complete intersection Calabi-Yau threefolds in products of projective spaces (CICYs).
Prospects for measuring quark polarization and spin correlations in $$b\overline{b }$$ and $$c\overline{c }$$ samples at the LHC
Authors: Kats Yevgeny , Uzan David
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Polarization and spin correlations have been studied in detail for top quarks at the LHC, but have been explored very little for the other flavors of quarks. In this paper we consider the processes pp → $$q\overline{q }$$ with q = b, c or s. Utilizing the partial preservation of the quark’s spin information in baryons in the jet produced by the quark, we examine possible analysis strategies for ATLAS and CMS to measure the quark polarization and spin correlations. We find polarization measurements for the b and c quarks to be feasible, even with the currently available datasets. Spin correlation measurements for $$b\overline{b }$$ are possible using the CMS Run 2 parked data, while such measurements for $$c\overline{c }$$ will become possible with higher integrated luminosity. For the s quark, we find the measurements to be challenging with the standard triggers. We also provide leading-order QCD predictions for the polarization and spin correlations expected in the $$b\overline{b }$$ and $$c\overline{c }$$ samples with the cuts envisioned for the above analyses. Apart from establishing experimentally the existence of spin correlations in $$b\overline{b }$$ and $$c\overline{c }$$ systems produced in pp collisions, the proposed measurements can provide new information on the polarization transfer from quarks to baryons and might even be sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model.
Bulk reconstruction in flat holography
Authors: Chen Bin , Hu Zezhou
Published: March 2024

Abstract

In this note, we discuss the bulk reconstruction of massless free fields in flat space from the highest-weight representation of boundary Carrollian conformal field theory (CCFT). We expand the bulk field as a sum of infinite descendants of a primary state defined in the boundary CCFT, and discuss the Lorentz invariant bulk-boundary propagator in detail for the BMS3/CCFT2 case. In our calculation, it is necessary to introduce a nonzero mass at the beginning and take it as vanishing at the end. The framework we proposed has the potential to probe local bulk physics from the boundary CCFT.
Wilson loops and wormholes
Authors: Betzios Panos , Papadoulaki Olga
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We analyse the properties of Wilson loop observables for holographic gauge theories, when the dual bulk geometries have a single and/or multiple boundaries (Euclidean spacetime wormholes). Such observables lead to a generalisation and refinement of the characterisation in [1] based on the compressibility of cycles and the pinching limit of higher genus Riemann surfaces, since they carry information about the dynamics and phase structure of the dual gauge theory of an arbitrary dimensionality. Finally, we describe how backreacting correlated observables such as Wilson loops can lead to wormhole saddles in the dual gravitational path integral, by taking advantage of a representation theoretic entanglement structure proposed in [13, 15].
A novel mouse model for N-terminal truncated Aβ2-x generation through meprin β overexpression in astrocytes
Authors: Armbrust Fred , Bickenbach Kira , Altmeppen Hermann , Foggetti Angelica , Winkelmann Anne , Wulff Peer , Glatzel Markus , Pietrzik Claus U. , Becker-Pauly Christoph
Published: March 2024

Neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides cause neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients’ brains. They are released upon proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) extracellularly at the β-secretase site and intramembranously at the γ-secretase site. Several AD mouse models were developed to conduct respective research in vivo. Most of these classical models overexpress human APP with mutations driving AD-associated pathogenic APP processing. However, the resulting pattern of Aβ species in the mouse brains differs from those observed in AD patients’ brains. Particularly mutations proximal to the β-secretase cleavage site (e.g., the so-called Swedish APP (APPswe) fostering Aβ1-x formation) lead to artificial Aβ production, as N-terminally truncated Aβ peptides are hardly present in these mouse brains. Meprin β is an alternative β-secretase upregulated in brains of AD patients and capable of generating N-terminally truncated Aβ2-x peptides. Therefore, we aimed to generate a mouse model for the production of so far underestimated Aβ2-x peptides by conditionally overexpressing meprin β in astrocytes. We chose astrocytes as meprin β was detected in this cell type in close proximity to Aβ plaques in AD patients’ brains. The meprin β-overexpressing mice showed elevated amyloidogenic APP processing detected with a newly generated neo-epitope-specific antibody. Furthermore, we observed elevated Aβ production from endogenous APP as well as AD-related behavior changes (hyperlocomotion and deficits in spatial memory). The novel mouse model as well as the established tools and methods will be helpful to further characterize APP cleavage and the impact of different Aβ species in future studies.
Unraveling the molecular interactions between α7 nicotinic receptor and a RIC3 variant associated with backward speech
Authors: Pradhan Aditi , Mounford Hayley , Peixinho Jessica , Rea Edward , Epeslidou Emmanouela , Scott Julia S. , Cull Joanna , Maxwell Susan , Webster Richard , Beeson David , Dong Yin Yao , Prekovic Stefan , Bermudez Isabel , Newbury Dianne F.
Published: March 2024

Recent work putatively linked a rare genetic variant of the chaperone Resistant to Inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (RIC3) (NM_024557.4:c.262G > A, NP_078833.3:p.G88R) to a unique ability to speak backwards, a language skill that is associated with exceptional working memory capacity. RIC3 is important for the folding, maturation, and functional expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). We compared and contrasted the effects of RIC3G88R on assembly, cell surface expression, and function of human α7 receptors using fluorescent protein tagged α7 nAChR and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy imaging in combination with functional assays and 125I-α-bungarotoxin binding. As expected, the wild-type RIC3 protein was found to increase both cell surface and functional expression of α7 receptors. In contrast, the variant form of RIC3 decreased both. FRET analysis showed that RICG88R increased the interactions between RIC3 and α7 protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. These results provide interesting and novel data to show that a RIC3 variant alters the interaction of RIC3 and α7, which translates to decreased cell surface and functional expression of α7 nAChR.
ALKBH1 promotes HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis by inhibiting N-glycosylation of LAMP2A
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Li Mengmeng , Lin Miao , Liu Xinjie , Guo Haolin , Tan Junyang , Hu Liubing , Li Jianshuang , Zhou Qinghua
Published: March 2024

ALKBH1 is a typical demethylase of nucleic acids, which is correlated with multiple types of biological processes and human diseases. Recent studies are focused on the demethylation of ALKBH1, but little is known about its non-demethylase function. Here, we demonstrate that ALKBH1 regulates the glycolysis process through HIF-1α signaling in a demethylase-independent manner. We observed that depletion of ALKBH1 inhibits glycolysis flux and extracellular acidification, which is attributable to reduced HIF-1α protein levels, and it can be rescued by reintroducing HIF-1α. Mechanistically, ALKBH1 knockdown enhances chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-mediated HIF-1α degradation by facilitating the interaction between HIF-1α and LAMP2A. Furthermore, we identify that ALKBH1 competitively binds to the OST48, resulting in compromised structural integrity of oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) complex and subsequent defective N-glycosylation of LAMPs, particularly LAMP2A. Abnormal glycosylation of LAMP2A disrupts lysosomal homeostasis and hinders the efficient degradation of HIF-1α through CMA. Moreover, NGI-1, a small-molecule inhibitor that selectively targets the OST complex, could inhibit the glycosylation of LAMPs caused by ALKBH1 silencing, leading to impaired CMA activity and disruption of lysosomal homeostasis. In conclusion, we have revealed a non-demethylation role of ALKBH1 in regulating N-glycosylation of LAMPs by interacting with OST subunits and CMA-mediated degradation of HIF-1α.
Role of HCN channels in the functions of basal ganglia and Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Qi Zeng-Xin , Yan Qi , Fan Xiu-Juan , Peng Jian-Ya , Zhu Hui-Xian , Jiang Yi-Miao , Chen Liang , Zhuang Qian-Xing
Published: March 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a motor disorder resulting from dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra caused by age, genetics, and environment. The disease severely impacts a patient’s quality of life and can even be life-threatening. The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel is a member of the HCN1-4 gene family and is widely expressed in basal ganglia nuclei. The hyperpolarization-activated current mediated by the HCN channel has a distinct impact on neuronal excitability and rhythmic activity associated with PD pathogenesis, as it affects the firing activity, including both firing rate and firing pattern, of neurons in the basal ganglia nuclei. This review aims to comprehensively understand the characteristics of HCN channels by summarizing their regulatory role in neuronal firing activity of the basal ganglia nuclei. Furthermore, the distribution and characteristics of HCN channels in each nucleus of the basal ganglia group and their effect on PD symptoms through modulating neuronal electrical activity are discussed. Since the roles of the substantia nigra pars compacta and reticulata, as well as globus pallidus externus and internus, are distinct in the basal ganglia circuit, they are individually described. Lastly, this investigation briefly highlights that the HCN channel expressed on microglia plays a role in the pathological process of PD by affecting the neuroinflammatory response.
Relationship of device measured physical activity type and posture with cardiometabolic health markers: pooled dose–response associations from the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep Consortium
Authors: Ahmadi Matthew N. , Blodgett Joanna M. , Atkin Andrew J. , Chan Hsiu-Wen , del Pozo Cruz Borja , Suorsa Kristin , Bakker Esmee A. , Pulsford Richard M. , Mielke Gregore I. , Johansson Peter J. , Hettiarachchi Pasan , Thijssen Dick H. J. , Stenholm Sari , Mishra Gita D. , Teixeira-Pinot Armando , Rangul Vegar , Sherar Lauren B. , Ekelund Ulf , Hughes Alun D. , Lee I.-Min ,   ProPASS collaboration, Holtermann Andreas , Koster Annemarie , Hamer Mark , Stamatakis Emmanuel
Published: March 2024

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this study was to examine the dose–response associations of device-measured physical activity types and postures (sitting and standing time) with cardiometabolic health.

Methods

We conducted an individual participant harmonised meta-analysis of 12,095 adults (mean ± SD age 54.5±9.6 years; female participants 54.8%) from six cohorts with thigh-worn accelerometry data from the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep (ProPASS) Consortium. Associations of daily walking, stair climbing, running, standing and sitting time with a composite cardiometabolic health score (based on standardised z scores) and individual cardiometabolic markers (BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, HbA1c and total cholesterol) were examined cross-sectionally using generalised linear modelling and cubic splines.

Results

We observed more favourable composite cardiometabolic health (i.e. z score <0) with approximately 64 min/day walking (z score [95% CI] −0.14 [−0.25, −0.02]) and 5 min/day stair climbing (−0.14 [−0.24, −0.03]). We observed an equivalent magnitude of association at 2.6 h/day standing. Any amount of running was associated with better composite cardiometabolic health. We did not observe an upper limit to the magnitude of the dose–response associations for any activity type or standing. There was an inverse dose–response association between sitting time and composite cardiometabolic health that became markedly less favourable when daily durations exceeded 12.1 h/day. Associations for sitting time were no longer significant after excluding participants with prevalent CVD or medication use. The dose–response pattern was generally consistent between activity and posture types and individual cardiometabolic health markers.

Conclusions/interpretation

In this first activity type-specific analysis of device-based physical activity, ~64 min/day of walking and ~5.0 min/day of stair climbing were associated with a favourable cardiometabolic risk profile. The deleterious associations of sitting time were fully attenuated after exclusion of participants with prevalent CVD and medication use. Our findings on cardiometabolic health and durations of different activities of daily living and posture may guide future interventions involving lifestyle modification.

Graphical Abstract
Around accumulation points and maximal sequences of indiscernibles
Authors: Gitik Moti
Published: March 2024

Answering a question of Mitchell (Trans Am Math Soc 329(2):507–530, 1992) we show that a limit of accumulation points can be singular in $${\mathcal {K}}$$
K
. Some additional constructions are presented.
Robust contact-constrained topology optimization considering uncertainty at the contact support
Authors: Schmidt Timo , Kriegesmann Benedikt , Seifried Robert
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the general framework for contact-constrained topology optimization of Strömberg and Klarbring (2010) is extended to robust topology optimization. In doing so, a linear elastic design domain is considered and the augmented Lagrangian approach is used to model the unilateral contact. For topology optimization, the design space is parametrized with the SIMP-approach and the Sigmund’s filter is applied. Additionally, the robust framework considers uncertainties at the contact support such as deviations of the geometry of the contact surface and the friction coefficient. Both uncertainties are described by the first-order second-moment method which leads to minimal additional costs. In fact, only two additional linear equations must be solved to obtain the robust objective and its gradient with respect to the design variables. Having both the objective and the gradient, the design update is computed with the method of moving asymptotes. The robust framework is applied to 2D and 3D examples to prove its scalability for real-world applications.
Topography optimisation using a reduced-dimensional model for transient conjugate heat transfer between fluid channels and solid plates with volumetric heat source
Authors: Sun Yupeng , Yao Song , Alexandersen Joe
Published: March 2024

Consideration of transient effects is important for industrial applications of heat transfer structure optimisation studies; however, the huge computational cost associated with transient problems is a pressing concern. This paper proposes an extension of a previous reduced-dimensional model to transient conjugate heat transfer between a fluid flow and solid-heated plates in a plate heat exchanger. The extended reduced-dimensional model introduces the temperature field of the plate governed by the heat conduction equation, which is coupled to the temperature field of the fluid, governed by the convection-diffusion equation, through the heat flux balance equation at the contact surface. The model is based on assumptions of fully developed flow and constant temperature profile, reducing the three-dimensional problem to a planar problem and significantly reducing computational costs. The accuracy of the model for the simulation of transient heat transfer is verified by comparison with a three-dimensional model. In this paper, the topography of the heat exchanger plate is optimised for both steady-state and transient conditions by applying the reduced-dimensional model. The effectiveness of the optimised design was demonstrated by the cross-check of both the reduced-dimensional and full three-dimensional models. Furthermore, this work considers the effect of time-independent boundary conditions and time-dependent boundary conditions on transient optimisation. The transient and steady-state optimised designs are analysed and compared for both conditions, and the necessity of transient optimisation is discussed.
Involvement of per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds in tumor development
Authors: Pesonen Maija , Vähäkangas Kirsi
Published: March 2024

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic persistent chemicals, which are used in many industrial and commercial applications. Hundreds of different PFAS have been identified in the environment and they are commonly found also in human blood. Due to the chemical stability and extensive use, PFAS pose a risk for human health and wildlife. Mounting evidence indicates that PFAS-exposure adversely affects many organs including liver, kidney, and reproductive tissues and induces tumors in laboratory rodents. Epidemiological studies show association between PFAS-exposure and some tumors also in humans. Effects of PFAS-exposure are complex and obviously do not depend only on the concentration and the structure of PFAS, but also on age and sex of the exposed individuals. It has been difficult to show a causal link between PFAS-exposure and tumors. Moreover, molecular mechanisms of the PFAS effects in different tissues are poorly understood. PFAS are not directly mutagenic and they do not induce formation of DNA binding metabolites, and thus are assumed to act more through non-genotoxic mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the involvement of PFAS-compounds in tumor development in tissues where PFAS exposure has been associated with cancer in epidemiological and animal studies (liver, kidney, testicle and breast). We will focus on molecular pathways and mechanisms related to tumor formation following PFAS-exposure.
Recent advances and current challenges of new approach methodologies in developmental and adult neurotoxicity testing
Authors: Serafini Melania Maria , Sepehri Sara , Midali Miriam , Stinckens Marth , Biesiekierska Marta , Wolniakowska Anna , Gatzios Alexandra , Rundén-Pran Elise , Reszka Edyta , Marinovich Marina , Vanhaecke Tamara , Roszak Joanna , Viviani Barbara , SenGupta Tanima
Published: March 2024

Adult neurotoxicity (ANT) and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) assessments aim to understand the adverse effects and underlying mechanisms of toxicants on the human nervous system. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the so-called new approach methodologies (NAMs). The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), together with European and American regulatory agencies, promote the use of validated alternative test systems, but to date, guidelines for regulatory DNT and ANT assessment rely primarily on classical animal testing. Alternative methods include both non-animal approaches and test systems on non-vertebrates (e.g., nematodes) or non-mammals (e.g., fish). Therefore, this review summarizes the recent advances of NAMs focusing on ANT and DNT and highlights the potential and current critical issues for the full implementation of these methods in the future. The status of the DNT in vitro battery (DNT IVB) is also reviewed as a first step of NAMs for the assessment of neurotoxicity in the regulatory context. Critical issues such as (i) the need for test batteries and method integration (from in silico and in vitro to in vivo alternatives, e.g., zebrafish, C. elegans) requiring interdisciplinarity to manage complexity, (ii) interlaboratory transferability, and (iii) the urgent need for method validation are discussed.
Isomerization pathway of a C–C sigma bond in a bis(octaazamacrocycle)dinickel(II) complex activated by deprotonation: a DFT study
Authors: Jelemenska Ingrid , Zalibera Michal , Rapta Peter , Dobrov Anatoly A. , Arion Vladimir B. , Bucinsky Lukas
Published: March 2024

The anti (a) to syn (s) isomerization pathway of the deprotonated form of the dimer with two nickel(II) 15-membered octaazamacrocyclic units connected via a carbon–carbon (C–C) σ bond was investigated. For the initial anti (a) structure, a deprotonation of one of the bridging (sp3 hybridized) carbon atoms is suggested to allow for an a to s geometry twist. A 360° scan around the bridging C–C dihedral angle was performed first to find an intermediate geometry. Subsequently, the isomerization pathway was explored via individual steps using a series of mode redundant geometry optimizations (internal coordinates potential energy surface scans) and geometry relaxations leading to the s structure. The prominent geometries (intermediates) of the isomerization pathway are chosen and compared to the a and s structures, and geometry relaxations of the protonated forms of selected intermediates are considered.
Assessment of pelvic organ prolapse with the Pelvic Inclination Correction System: defining the normal range and threshold to pathology
Authors: Ghafoor Soleen , Beintner-Skawran Stephan , Betschart Cornelia , Winklehner Thomas , Reiner Cäcilia S.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To define the normal range and threshold values for pathologic prolapse on MRI using the PICS line and assess its correlation with the pubococcygeal line (PCL).

Methods

This prospective, IRB-approved study included 20 nulliparous volunteers and 18 prolapse patients (POP-Q Stage ≥ 2). Organ positions (bladder, cervix, anorectal junction) relative to PICS and PCL were measured on dynamic MRI. Differences in organ position were compared. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to identify cutoff values for prolapse using the PICS line. The correlation between PICS and PCL measurements was tested with Spearman’s rank correlation.

Results

In volunteers, median bladder and cervix positions measured to the PICS at rest were − 2.7 cm and − 5.3 cm compared to − 1.9 cm and − 2.7 cm in patients (p < 0.001). During straining, bladder and cervix were at − 0.9 cm and − 3.2 cm in volunteers versus + 2.5 cm and + 2.5 cm in patients (p < 0.001). Correlation was strong for PICS and PCL measurements for all three compartments (δ = 0.883–0.970, p ≤ 0.001). AUCs of PICS for the anterior and middle compartment were 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–1.00, p < 0.001) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.89–1.00, p < 0.001) for differentiating patients from healthy volunteers. AUC for the posterior compartment was 0.76 (95% CI 0.57–0.96, p = 0.034).

Conclusion

PICS measurements reliably differentiate patients from volunteers in the anterior and middle compartment. Future studies need to identify a reliable threshold for the posterior compartment. PICS and PCL measurements are strongly correlated.

Graphical abstract