bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of left ventricular dysfunction by strain echo in primary hyperparathyroidism and its reversal after parathyroidectomy
Authors: Pk Nafeel , Abuji Kishore , Dahiya Divya , Kumar Basanth , Bhadada Sanjay Kumar , Behera Arunanshu
Published: February 2024

Background

Strain echocardiography is a highly sensitive modality for detecting myocardial disease at an early stage. Therefore, we aim to evaluate subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients with myocardial strain imaging in addition to conventional echocardiography and to look for its reversal after parathyroidectomy (PTx).

Methods

Thirty patients who underwent curative parathyroidectomy for PHPT were included. All patients were evaluated with M mode echo, 2D echo and strain imaging before and 6 months after PTx. Left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were recorded.

Results

On M mode echo, LVH was present in 15 patients and 8 of them improved completely after PTx (p < 0.038). Incidence of systolic and diastolic dysfunction on 2D echo was 10% and 13.3% respectively; while myocardial strain imaging showed impaired systolic function in 46.7% patients. Hence, compared to conventional 2D echo, strain imaging showed 36.7% high detection rate of subnormal cardiac function. There was improvement in left ventricle dysfunction (p = 0.083), GLS and GCS (p = 0.034) after PTx. Serum parathormone demonstrated a strong positive correlation with change in GLS and GCS (p = 0.013, p = 0.126) while serum calcium showed a weak correlation with change in GLS and GCS following surgery.

Conclusion

Myocardial strain imaging should be considered for all PHPT patients as early identification of subclinical ventricle dysfunction provides an opportunity for an early intervention and thereby preventing development of irreversible LV dysfunction.
Optimal extent of lymph node dissection for high‐risk gastric cancer stratified by a national clinical database risk calculator
Authors: Kuroda Kenji , Miki Yuichiro , Kasashima Hiroaki , Yoshii Mami , Fukuoka Tatsunari , Tamura Tatsuro , Shibutani Masatsune , Toyokawa Takahiro , Lee Shigeru , Maeda Kiyoshi
Published: February 2024

Background

For patients with gastric cancer, a well‐balanced treatment that considers both oncological aspects and surgical risk is demanded. This study aimed to explore the optimal extent of lymph node dissection (LND) for patients with gastric cancer according to surgical risk, stratified by the risk calculator system produced by the Japan National Clinical Database (NCD).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 187 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Using the median predicted anastomotic leak rate obtained by the NCD risk calculator as the cutoff value, we classified 97 and 90 patients as having high and low risks, respectively.

Results

In low‐risk patients, although limited LND reduced the postoperative intraabdominal infectious complications (IAIC), multivariate analysis revealed standard LND as an independent prognostic factor that improved Relapse‐free survival (RFS). In high‐risk patients, the rates of postoperative IAIC and RFS were similar between standard and limited LND. Pancreatic fistula was not observed in the limited dissection group.

Conclusion

Limited LND might be the optimal treatment strategy for patients with gastric cancer with high surgical risk.
Implication of polymerase recycling for nascent transcript quantification by live cell imaging
Authors: Kindongo Olivia , Lieb Guillaume , Skaggs Benjamin , Dusserre Yves , Vincenzetti Vincent , Pelet Serge
Published: February 2024

Transcription enables the production of RNA from a DNA template. Due to the highly dynamic nature of transcription, live‐cell imaging methods play a crucial role in measuring the kinetics of this process. For instance, transcriptional bursts have been visualized using fluorescent phage‐coat proteins that associate tightly with messenger RNA (mRNA) stem loops formed on nascent transcripts. To convert the signal emanating from a transcription site into meaningful estimates of transcription dynamics, the influence of various parameters on the measured signal must be evaluated. Here, the effect of gene length on the intensity of the transcription site focus was analyzed. Intuitively, a longer gene can support a larger number of transcribing polymerases, thus leading to an increase in the measured signal. However, measurements of transcription induced by hyper‐osmotic stress responsive promoters display independence from gene length. A mathematical model of the stress‐induced transcription process suggests that the formation of gene loops that favor the recycling of polymerase from the terminator to the promoter can explain the observed behavior. One experimentally validated prediction from this model is that the amount of mRNA produced from a short gene should be higher than for a long one as the density of active polymerase on the short gene will be increased by polymerase recycling. Our data suggest that this recycling contributes significantly to the expression output from a gene and that polymerase recycling is modulated by the promoter identity and the cellular state.
Class-C Simulations of LEAP-ASIA-2019 via OpenSees Platform by Using a Pressure Dependent Multi-yield Surface Model
Authors: Elbadawy Mohamed A. , Zhou Yan-Guo
Published: February 2024

In this chapter, Class-C numerical simulations were performed for LEAP-ASIA-2019 centrifuge experiments that took place at different universities testing facilities. A comparative study was conducted among the simulated and experimental seismic responses of a mildly sloping ground of medium-dense to dense Ottawa-F65 sand under ramped sinusoidal acceleration input motions. A pressure dependent multi-yield surface model that can simulate the liquefaction potential of sand soils under earthquake loading was chosen for the numerical simulations through the OpenSees finite element modeling software. An initial calibration of the soil constitutive model, namely “Phase I,” was performed against different cyclic torsional shear tests for Ottawa-F65 sand under various Cyclic Stress Ratios (CSRs). Numerical modeling of centrifuge experiments “Phase II” was carried out after a few adjustments to the estimated model parameter values for the sake of providing proper computed output responses. The adopted soil model and simulation technique provide adequate numerical predictions of the liquefaction potential for the mildly sloping ground problem and accurately simulate the time histories of excess pore water pressure, accelerations, and surface deformations, regardless of experiencing a few undesirable responses for simulated Kyoto University centrifuge tests. The capabilities and limitations of the selected constitutive soil model and computational technique are analyzed and discussed through the context.
Population genetic structure of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: Le Duong Minh , Desmond Matthew J. , Knapp Michael , Kardailsky Olga , Nelson Wendy A. , Zuccarello Giuseppe C. , Hepburn Christopher D.
Published: February 2024

The giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera is in global decline as a result of numerous stressors operating on both local and global scales. It is a species that holds significant value in terms of the ecosystem services that it provides and its application in aquaculture. In order to safeguard, restore and utilize this species, it is essential that a sound understanding of genetic structure and diversity is established at scales relevant to local management. Seven microsatellite markers were used to analyze 389 individuals from sites across eight geographical regions in New Zealand. While samples of M. pyrifera from the west coast of the South Island (Fiordland), were genetically isolated, the biogeographic separation of sites along the east coast of New Zealand, between Wellington and Stewart Island, remained unclear due to low genetic differentiation between regions. The greatest genetic diversity was seen in the southeast sites, whereas the northeast had the lowest diversity. This pattern is likely driven by the effects of stressors such as high sea surface temperature in these areas as well as oceanic circulation patterns. A key finding from this work was the significant genetic isolation, and therefore vulnerability of M. pyrifera in the Fiordland population, an area that is being subjected to more intense and longer lasting heatwave events.
High femoral offset as a risk factor for aseptic femoral component loosening in cementless primary total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Jud Lukas , Rüedi Nico , Dimitriou Dimitris , Hoch Armando , Zingg Patrick O.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Lateralized stems in primary cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) showed to be associated with aseptic femoral loosening. However, femoral head length also affects femoral offset but was not considered so far. This study analyzed the impact of high femoral offset (hFO) combinations, formed by lateralized stems or large femoral head lengths, on aseptic femoral component loosening.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study was performed including all patients that underwent primary cementless THA at our institution between July 2004 and December 2016. Patients were screened for aseptic femoral component loosening and grouped in aseptic loosening (AL) and non-aseptic loosening (nAL) group. Medical records were screened; implant details were noted and classified in hFO and standard femoral offset (sFO) combinations. Supposed risk factors for aseptic loosening were analyzed.

Results

Two thousand four hundred fifty-nine THA could be included, containing 14 THA (0.6%) with aseptic femoral component loosening. The AL group contained 11 hFO combinations (78.6%), whereas in the nAL group, 1315 hFO combinations (53.8%) were used. Subgroup analysis showed significant difference between two groups for hFO combinations (p = 0.014), age (p = 0.002), NSAR (p = 0.001), and bilateral THA on same day (p = 0.001). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that hFO combination was the only variable for increased probability of aseptic loosening (OR, 3.7; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

High femoral offset combinations, formed by lateralized stems or large femoral head lengths in our collective of standard straight stems implanted by an anterior approach, show a 3.7-fold increased probability for aseptic femoral component loosening. Adjustment of the postoperative protocol may be considered in these cases to ensure proper stem ingrowth.
Generalising XTRACT tractography protocols across common macaque brain templates
Authors: Assimopoulos Stephania , Warrington Shaun , Bryant Katherine L. , Pszczolkowski Stefan , Jbabdi Saad , Mars Rogier B. , Sotiropoulos Stamatios N.
Published: February 2024

Non-human primates are extensively used in neuroscience research as models of the human brain, with the rhesus macaque being a prominent example. We have previously introduced a set of tractography protocols (XTRACT) for reconstructing 42 corresponding white matter (WM) bundles in the human and the macaque brain and have shown cross-species comparisons using such bundles as WM landmarks. Our original XTRACT protocols were developed using the F99 macaque brain template. However, additional macaque template brains are becoming increasingly common. Here, we generalise the XTRACT tractography protocol definitions across five macaque brain templates, including the F99, D99, INIA, Yerkes and NMT. We demonstrate equivalence of such protocols in two ways: (a) Firstly by comparing the bodies of the tracts derived using protocols defined across the different templates considered, (b) Secondly by comparing the projection patterns of the reconstructed tracts across the different templates in two cross-species (human–macaque) comparison tasks. The results confirm similarity of all predictions regardless of the macaque brain template used, providing direct evidence for the generalisability of these tractography protocols across the five considered templates.
CSMed® wound dressing for prophylaxis and management of radiation dermatitis in breast and head–neck cancer patients: a single hospital prospective clinical trial
Authors: Lee Yueh-Chun , Tseng Hsien-Chun , Yang Huei-Fang , Lee Yi-Hung , Ko Ya-Fang , Chang Shin-Tsung , Chen Hsin-Lin , Chang Bo-Jiun , Chou Ying-Hsiang
Published: February 2024

Purpose

CSMed®wound dressing, a dressing with various herb extracts, was tested for its therapeutic effect in radiation dermatitis of breast and head-and-neck cancer patients.

Methods

This study included 20 breast cancer patients and 10 head-and-neck cancer patients. Half of the irradiated area was covered with CSMed®and the other half was under routine treatment. The severity of radiation dermatitis was evaluated with radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) grade throughout the treatment and the follow-up period. The RTOG grade between the dressed and undressed area were compared to illustrate the therapeutic effect of CSMed®dressing.

Results

The results showed that CSMed®dressed area had significant lower RTOG score at 3–7 weeks and final record during the treatment, and 1–3 weeks during follow-up than undressed area.

Conclusions

This indicated that CSMed®can delay the onset, reduce the severity, and enhance healing of radiation dermatitis. CSMed®can be used for prophylaxis and management of radiation dermatitis.
Novel genotype–phenotype correlations, differential cerebellar allele-specific methylation, and a common origin of the (ATTTC)n insertion in spinocerebellar ataxia type 37
Authors: Sanchez-Flores Marina , Corral-Juan Marc , Gasch-Navalón Esther , Cirillo Davide , Sanchez Ivelisse , Matilla-Dueñas Antoni
Published: February 2024

Spinocerebellar ataxia subtype 37 (SCA37) is a rare disease originally identified in ataxia patients from the Iberian Peninsula with a pure cerebellar syndrome. SCA37 patients carry a pathogenic intronic (ATTTC)n repeat insertion flanked by two polymorphic (ATTTT)n repeats in the Disabled-1 (DAB1) gene leading to cerebellar dysregulation. Herein, we determine the precise configuration of the pathogenic 5ʹ(ATTTT)n–(ATTTC)n–3ʹ(ATTTT)n SCA37 alleles by CRISPR–Cas9 and long-read nanopore sequencing, reveal their epigenomic signatures in SCA37 lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and cerebellar samples, and establish new molecular and clinical correlations. The 5ʹ(ATTTT)n–(ATTTC)n–3ʹ(ATTTT)n pathogenic allele configurations revealed repeat instability and differential methylation signatures. Disease age of onset negatively correlated with the (ATTTC)n, and positively correlated with the 3ʹ(ATTTT)n. Geographic origin and gender significantly correlated with age of onset. Furthermore, significant predictive regression models were obtained by machine learning for age of onset and disease evolution by considering gender, the (ATTTC)n, the 3ʹ(ATTTT)n, and seven CpG positions differentially methylated in SCA37 cerebellum. A common 964-kb genomic region spanning the (ATTTC)n insertion was identified in all SCA37 patients analysed from Portugal and Spain, evidencing a common origin of the SCA37 mutation in the Iberian Peninsula originating 859 years ago (95% CI 647–1378). In conclusion, we demonstrate an accurate determination of the size and configuration of the regulatory 5ʹ(ATTTT)n–(ATTTC)n–3ʹ(ATTTT)n repeat tract, avoiding PCR bias amplification using CRISPR/Cas9-enrichment and nanopore long-read sequencing, resulting relevant for accurate genetic diagnosis of SCA37. Moreover, we determine novel significant genotype–phenotype correlations in SCA37 and identify differential cerebellar allele-specific methylation signatures that may underlie DAB1 pathogenic dysregulation.
Surgical and endovascular cerebral revascularization for cerebral vasculitis with inflammatory vessel stenosis: a case series
Authors: Schieferdecker Simon , Caspers Julian , Daniel Weiss , Cornelius Jan Frederick , Muhammad Sajjad
Published: February 2024

Autoimmune vasculitides affect the cerebral vasculature significantly in a considerable number of cases. When immunosuppressive treatments fail to prevent stenosis in cerebral vessels, treatment options for affected patients become limited. In this case series, we present four cases of pharmacoresistant vasculitis with recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or stroke successfully treated with either extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery or endovascular stenting. Both rescue treatments were effective and safe in the selected cases. Our experience suggests that cases of pharmacoresistant cerebral vasculitis with recurrent stroke may benefit from rescue revascularization in combination with maximum medical management.
An efficient starling murmuration-based secure web service model for smart city application using DBN
Authors: Sheeba Adlin , Bushra S. Nikkath , Rajarajeswari S. , Subasini C. A.
Published: February 2024

The advent of IoT devices increased internet usage more than smartphones and personal computers. The manual analysis of the Web Service Description Language (WSDL) document is quite expensive and time-consuming, hence this paper proposes a novel deep learning architecture to overcome the issue associated with web service classification. A structural self-organized deep belief network (SSODBN) is used for real-time web service classification in different fields such as Education, Smart electricity, Intelligent road networks, Health and social care, and Sports, water, and gas distribution. The SSODBN architecture utilizes a dropout strategy to minimize the interrelationship between the feature detectors and a regularized reinforced transfer function to eliminate the irrelevant weights. The main advantage offered by the S-DBN architecture is the improved preprocessing with feature selection. The Starling Murmuration Optimizer (SMO) is utilized in this paper to minimize the reconstruction error of the S-DBN architecture. The security of the smart city architecture is mainly improved via the blockchain defined network (BDN) using user-authenticated blocks. The experimental results revealed that the proposed method managed the scalability, latency, and centralization issues with superior data transmission.
An integrated multi-polar fuzzy N-soft preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations of the digitization of global economy
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Sultan Maheen , Deveci Muhammet
Published: February 2024

Digitization represents the ultimate expression of globalization that has revolutionized every facet of global existence, enhancing connectivity, financial terms, trade opportunities, and public services. To further broaden or fortify this digital realm and advance global progress, various strategies for multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) have been developed. This research article extends the literature study on the sensational MCGDM method known as Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment of Evaluations (PROMETHEE), which shares the burden of selecting the best alternative under many terms and conditions. This article aims to make a positive contribution to the development of the digital world. The main principle of the PROMETHEE technique is to calculate positive and negative flows of the selected options according to the divergence of the alternatives’ scores. It provides us with partial and full rankings of options by determining score degrees, suitable preference functions, and a multi-criteria preference index. To deal with the multi-polarity of the modern world and assignN-ordered levels, this paper proposes the multi-polar fuzzyN-soft (mFNS) PROMETHEE technique. Prior to this, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique is applied to guarantee the credibility of the criterion weights for each criterion. After that, the whole strategy ofm-polar fuzzyN-soft PROMETHEE approach to order the selected options is explained, and all the course of action of this remarkable (MCGDM) technique are synchronized in an extensive flowchart, helping us to learn more about the technology keenly. Moreover, the utility of our discussed technology is illustrated by considering two applications of generating electricity through human movement and choosing the best digital currency. The most suitable choice is extracted with the help of the outranked directed graph. The results obtained bymFNS PROMETHEE technique benefits us with the selection of most reliable source to digitized the global economy, in addition, It enables us to rank the alternatives from most preferable to least one, that not only saves time but also produces the better outcomes. Subsequently, the eminence ofmFNS PROMETHEE technology is checked by comparability with the prior art. Lastly, the advantages and disadvantages of our proposed technique are supplemented to demonstrate its productivity and shortcomings.
What can machine vision do for lymphatic histopathology image analysis: a comprehensive review
Authors: Chen Haoyuan , Li Xiaoqi , Li Chen , Rahaman Md. Mamunur , Li Xintong , Wu Jian , Sun Hongzan , Grzegorzek Marcin , Li Xiaoyan
Published: February 2024

Over the past 10 years, machine vision (MV) algorithms for image analysis have been developing rapidly with computing power. At the same time, histopathological slices can be stored as digital images. Therefore, MV algorithms can provide diagnostic references to doctors. In particular, the continuous improvement of deep learning algorithms has further improved the accuracy of MV in disease detection and diagnosis. This paper reviews the application of image processing techniques based on MV in lymphoma histopathological images in recent years, including segmentation, classification and detection. Finally, the current methods are analyzed, some potential methods are proposed, and further prospects are made.
Educational and training innovation opportunities in the aquaculture and fisheries sector of Hungarian secondary agricultural education
Authors: Khademi-Vidra Anikó , Urbányi Béla , Bakos Izabella Mária
Published: February 2024

Among the challenges of the aquaculture sector, the present study tries to focus on the necessary modernisation and innovation of the Hungarian sector education by strategically outlining the possibility of a niche secondary-level fisheries PILOT (experimental) training. It is obvious that the “launching” of such a shortage training level is a very complex and long-term task, but in our opinion not unfeasible. To this end, we are considering the development of a multi-stage action plan, the first milestone of which will be a thorough situation survey of the aquaculture education community. The study applies a deductive approach to specific areas of education and training within the general trends in aquaculture, covering the main traces of PILOT training in fisheries as a niche discipline. Our first paper, targeted at educators, focuses on the results of a questionnaire survey of 94 educators. Our main objective was to assess the presence of aquaculture-related knowledge content and associated methodologies in the classroom and the general digital literacy of educators. Our objectives also focus on the general digital readiness of vocational trainers and on the patterns of “professional marketing” opportunities that aquaculture professionals can express.
Occupying Another’s Digital Space: Privacy of Smartphone Users as a Situated Practice
Authors: Avgustis Iuliia , Ibnelkaïd Samira , Iivari Netta
Published: February 2024

A smartphone’s screen is commonly regarded as a private space, and the action of looking at it is usually considered a violation of one’s privacy both by researchers and designers. However, our study demonstrates how participants in the interaction themselves negotiate moment by moment and achieve an understanding of someone’s screen space as public or private. In this paper, we analyze the interactional sequences of uninvited looks at another participant’s phone. Drawing on visual ethnography and ethnomethodologically informed multimodal interaction analysis, we video-recorded and analyzed everyday interactions between friends and acquaintances. Our findings show that looking at someone’s smartphone display is often performed and oriented to as a resource in interaction rather than an invasion of privacy. We therefore characterize the interactional functions of gazes and glances at another’s screen. We also discuss the research and design implications of approaching privacy as a situated practice.
Unveiling salinity-driven shifts in microbial community composition across compartments of naturally saline inland streams
Authors: Ayayee Paul A. , Custer Gordon F. , Tronstad Lusha M. , van Diepen Linda T. A.
Published: February 2024

Riverine environments host diverse microbial communities, exhibiting distinctive assemblies at both microscopic and macroscopic levels. Despite the complexity of microbial life in rivers, the underlying factors that shape the community structure across different compartments remain elusive. Herein, we characterized microbial community composition of biofilm and planktonic (water column) compartments in five naturally saline inland streams and a freshwater stream to examine changes in microbial communities following salinization via sequencing of the microbial 16S rRNA gene. Significant differences in specific conductivity, oxidation–reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, and pH among the sampled streams were measured, as were significant differences in the microbial community composition between the planktonic and biofilm. The bacterial families Bacillaceae, Vicinamibacterceae, and Micrococcaceae were significantly more abundant in the biofilm compartment, while Methylophilaceae, Alcaligenaceae, Spirosomaceae, Burkholderiaceae, and Comamonadaceae were more abundant in the planktonic compartment. In addition, salinity (based on specific conductivity) influenced the microbial community composition in both compartments, with higher sensitivity of the planktonic compartment. Increases in the bacterial families Shewanellaceae, Marinomonadaceae, and Saccharospirillaceae or loss of Anaeromyxobacteraceae could be indicative of increased salinity within inland streams. Our results suggest that monitoring of microbial assemblages of freshwater ecosystems could be used as early warning signs of increased salinization levels.
The effects of an electronic head-mounted display in vision rehabilitation for patients with tunnel vision
Authors: Xu Dongye , Yu Manrong , Zheng Changyue , Ji Shunmei , Dai Jinhui
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To investigate the effect of a new head-mounted electronic visual aid-Acesight on improving visual function and daily activities in patients with tunnel vision.

Methods

57 patients with tunnel vision participated in this study. The visual field (VF), visual acuity (VA), search ability, time of finding people from the side (TFPS), walking ability, and the subjective feelings of patients with and without Acesight were measured.

Results

15 (36%) patients thought Acesight was “helpful”, 16 (28%) thought it was “a little help”, and 26 (46%) believed that it was “not helpful.” The proportion of people aged < 60 years found Acesight helpful was higher. When wearing Acesight, the average horizontal VF diameter (°) (35.54[8.72]) and vertical VF diameter (°) (26.63[5.38]) were larger than those without visual aids (20.61[9.22], 18.19[6.67]) (P all < 0.001). The average TFPS before and while wearing the Acesight was 1.77s(0.32) and 1.19s(0.29), respectively (t = 14.28, P < 0.001). The average search times, number of collisions, walking speeds when wearing the Acesight were not statistically different from those without visual aids (P all > 0.05).

Conclusion

More than half of patients with tunnel vision found the Acesight helpful, and a higher proportion of those aged < 60 years old found it helpful. Acesight can expand the horizontal and vertical VF of patients with tunnel vision and can enable patients to detect objects coming from the side earlier.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2000028859; Date of registration: 2020/1/5; URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=47129
Discoloration and biosorption of Brilliant green dye in seawater using living biomass of the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: González Verónica , Abalde Julio , Torres Enrique
Published: February 2024

Pollution by dyes is a serious environmental problem. Marine waters receive pollutants from many sources, however, there are few studies that deal with the elimination of pollutants from these environments. The search for effective, cheap, and ecological procedures to remove dyes from seawater is a current challenge. Biosorption meets these requirements, but it is necessary to find the best biosorbent for the operating conditions. Since microalgal biomass is considered a good biosorbent, the efficiency of living biomass from the marine microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum to remove the Brilliant green dye from seawater was evaluated in this work. This dye showed spontaneous discoloration in seawater, showing a decrease in the amount of dye measured spectrophotometrically but not when measured by HPLC. Consequently, the difference between discoloration and true removal should be considered. It is shown that the determination of the biomass efficiency as biosorbent through spectrophotometric measurements could be wrong in some cases. Batch experiments were performed varying operational parameters, such as initial concentration of dye, contact time, and pH of the solution. At the lowest concentration of the dye (5 mg L-1), the algal biomass (0.4 g L-1) achieved total decolorization and removal (through biosorption) within 7 h, while at the highest concentration (200 mg L-1), discoloration was 96.3%, but removal was 32.6%. The spontaneous discoloration followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics. Pseudo-first-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm best described the removal process, predicting a maximum biosorption capacity of 161.52±5.95 mg g-1. This natural biomass had a higher efficiency than other more complex biosorbents.
A Switched Control Strategy for Avoiding Flip Ambiguities in 3D Formations
Authors: Sahebsara Farid , Queiroz Marcio de
Published: February 2024

Flip ambiguities are a notorious issue with distance-based formation control due to the presence of unwanted equilibrium points in the formation dynamics. We propose a switched control system for preventing these ambiguities in 3D formations composed of tetrahedra. The approach contains a switching strategy that steers the formation of mobile robots towards the desired configuration for all initial positions, excluding certain collocated, collinear, or coplanar cases, by applying the standard distance-based controller and/or rigid-body maneuvers to subformations. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed formation control system can lead to faster formation acquisition and less control effort than an existing method.
Dynamical Systems on Graph Limits and Their Symmetries
Authors: Bick Christian , Sclosa Davide
Published: February 2024

The collective dynamics of interacting dynamical units on a network crucially depends on the properties of the network structure. Rather than considering large but finite graphs to capture the network, one often resorts to graph limits and the dynamics thereon. We elucidate the symmetry properties of dynamical systems on graph limits—including graphons and graphops—and analyze how the symmetry shapes the dynamics, for example through invariant subspaces. In addition to traditional symmetries, dynamics on graph limits can support generalized noninvertible symmetries. Moreover, as asymmetric networks can have symmetric limits, we note that one can expect to see ghosts of symmetries in the dynamics of large but finite asymmetric networks.
An assessment framework for landscape sustainability based on ecosystem service supply-flow-demand
Authors: Xi Henghui , Huang Conghong , Ou Weixin , Li Jiman , Wang Fei , Tao Qin , Tao Yu
Published: February 2024

Context

The study of landscape sustainability plays an important role in the development of sustainability science. Landscape sustainability assessment is crucial for landscape planning and governance, serving as a fundamental basis for achieving regional and global sustainable development.

Objectives

The goal is to propose an assessment framework for landscape sustainability based on ecosystem services (ESs) supply-flow-demand, and select a case study area to test it.

Methods

We started from the connotation of landscape sustainability and theoretically explained the relationship between landscape patterns, ESs, and human well-being. We proposed a conceptual framework for landscape sustainability assessment based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs. Yixing City was selected as a case study area for empirical research.

Results

We constructed a conceptual framework and assessment steps for landscape sustainability assessment based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs and applied it to assess the landscape sustainability of towns in Yixing City. The framework focuses on the concept of landscape sustainability and can be applied at various temporal and spatial scales, with high operability and replicability. However, there are still certain limitations that need to be further considered, including the determination of landscape boundaries, multi-scale assessment, the trade-offs/synergies between different ESs.

Conclusions

The landscape sustainability assessment framework based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs can expand the perspectives and methods of landscape sustainability assessment. It is also practical and replicable, aiming to provide support for landscape planning and governance.
The role of CXCL1 in crosstalk between endocrine resistant breast cancer and fibroblast
Authors: Pandithar Sneha , Galke Daniel , Akume Ahone , Belyakov Artem , Lomonaco Dominick , Guerra Amirah A. , Park Jay , Reff Olivia , Jin Kideok
Published: February 2024

Background

ER positive breast cancer is currently targeted using various endocrine therapies. Despite the proven therapeutic efficacy, resistance to the drug and reoccurrence of tumor appears to be a complication that many patients deal with. Molecular pathways underlying the development of resistance are being widely studied.

Methods and results

In this study, using four established endocrine resistant breast cancer (ERBC) cell lines, we characterized CXCL1 as a secreted factor in crosstalk between ERBC cells and fibroblasts. Protein array revealed upregulation of CXCL1 and we confirmed the CXCL1 expression by real-time qRT-PCR and U-Plex assay. Co-culturing ERBC cells with fibroblasts enhanced the cell growth and migration compared to monoculture. The crosstalk of ERBC cells with fibroblasts significantly activates ERK/MAPK signaling pathway while reparixin, CXCR1/2 receptor inhibitor, attenuates the activity. Reparixin displayed the ERBC cell growth inhibition and the combination treatment with reparixin and CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib and ribociclib) increased these inhibitory effect.

Conclusions

Taken together, our study implicates CXCL1 as a critical role in ERBC growth and metastasis via crosstalk with fibroblast and cotargeting CXCR1/2 and CDK4/6 could potentially overcome endocrine resistant breast cancer.
Identification and genetic diversity analysis of broomrape in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Xuekun , Du Juan , Wang Panpan , Wang Peng , Liu Zheng , Yao Zhaoqun , Zhao Sifeng , Xi Hui
Published: February 2024

Background

As a holoparasitic weed, broomrape has seriously threatened the production of economically important crops, such as melon, watermelon, processed tomato, and sunflower, in Xinjiang in recent years. However, the distribution and genetic diversity of broomrape populations in Xinjiang are not clear at present, which hinders their prevention and control. The purpose of this study was to identify the main species and the genetic differentiation structure of the broomrape population in Xinjiang.

Methods and results

In the present study, 93 samples from different geographic regions of Xinjiang were collected to identify the species based on ITS and plastid rps2 regions, and the samples were also used to analyze the genetic diversity based on ISSR markers. The results showed that broomrape is not monophyletic in Xinjiang and consists of two major clades (Orobanche cf. aegyptiaca and O. cernua) and three subclades (O. cf. aegyptiaca var. tch, O. cf. aegyptiaca var. klz, and O. cernua.var. alt) based on phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, the results of the genetic diversity analysis indicated that the average polymorphic information content and marker index were high values of 0.58 and 7.38, respectively, showing the efficiency of the ISSR markers in detecting polymorphism among the broomrape population studied. Additionally, the 11 selected primers produced 154 repeatable polymorphic bands, of which 150 were polymorphic. The genetic diversity of the samples was 37.19% within populations and 62.81% among the populations, indicating that the main genetic differentiation occurred among the populations. There was less gene exchange between populations, with a gene flow index (Nm) of 0.2961 (< 1). The UPGMA dendrogram indicated that most populations with similar geographical conditions and hosts were clustered first, and then all samples were separated into two major groups and seven subclusters.

Conclusion

The broomrapes are mainly O. cf. aegyptiaca and O. cernua in Xinjiang, which were separated into two major groups and seven subclusters based on ISSR markers. Our results provide a theoretical basis for breeding broomrape-resistant varieties.
Assessing colostral and serum immunoglobulin G in alpacas using Brix refractometry and total serum protein
Authors: O’Neill Amber K. , Petzel Christopher E. , Connolly Joanne H. , Vaughan Jane L. , Rotne Randi
Published: February 2024

The adequate transfer of passive immunity is a critical factor in neonatal development and survivability. Although well documented in the dairy and equine industries, the recognition of inadequate immunoglobulin transfer on-farm and its impact on the ability of alpaca cria to thrive is largely unknown. Colostrum samples were collected from female alpaca within 24 h of parturition by the owners and whole blood collected from cria by the investigators between 1 and 7 days of age. Direct IgG concentration of milk and serum was determined using radial immunodiffusion assay (RID) and was indirectly estimated using optical and digital Brix refractometry for total solids and clinical refractometry for total serum protein. There was a strong correlation between optical and digital Brix refractometry, and colostral IgG concentration determined by RID. There was a moderate correlation between serum IgG concentration determined by RID and total serum protein in crias. Optical and digital Brix refractometry for colostral IgG estimation and total serum protein for serum IgG estimation are reliable, accurate and easy-to-use tools that can be used on-farm by trained, competent technicians to assess a failure of passive transfer in alpacas. A pilot study at one property only was performed, due to COVID-19 travel restriction interference. Further research is required to determine the reference intervals for these tools to be practical.
FunnyNet-W: Multimodal Learning of Funny Moments in Videos in the Wild
Authors: Liu Zhi-Song , Courant Robin , Kalogeiton Vicky
Published: February 2024

Automatically understanding funny moments (i.e., the moments that make people laugh) when watching comedy is challenging, as they relate to various features, such as body language, dialogues and culture. In this paper, we propose FunnyNet-W, a model that relies on cross- and self-attention for visual, audio and text data to predict funny moments in videos. Unlike most methods that rely on ground truth data in the form of subtitles, in this work we exploit modalities that come naturally with videos: (a) video frames as they contain visual information indispensable for scene understanding, (b) audio as it contains higher-level cues associated with funny moments, such as intonation, pitch and pauses and (c) text automatically extracted with a speech-to-text model as it can provide rich information when processed by a Large Language Model. To acquire labels for training, we propose an unsupervised approach that spots and labels funny audio moments. We provide experiments on five datasets: the sitcoms TBBT, MHD, MUStARD, Friends, and the TED talk UR-Funny. Extensive experiments and analysis show that FunnyNet-W successfully exploits visual, auditory and textual cues to identify funny moments, while our findings reveal FunnyNet-W’s ability to predict funny moments in the wild. FunnyNet-W sets the new state of the art for funny moment detection with multimodal cues on all datasets with and without using ground truth information.
Die Thematisierung von Integration und Inklusion in Kindergartenkonzeptionen
Authors: Becker Birgit , Weber Maximilian
Published: February 2024

Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den Leitlinien und pädagogischen Grundüberzeugungen zu Integration und Inklusion in frühkindlichen Bildungseinrichtungen. Anhand der Kindergartenkonzeptionen aus der Studie „Kinder und Kitas in Deutschland“ (K2ID) untersuchen wir mittels Topic Modeling und standardisierter Inhaltsanalyse, wie Integration und Inklusion in diesen Dokumenten jeweils thematisiert werden. Dabei bilden diejenigen Textstellen, die sich speziell mit den Themen Integration und/oder Inklusion beschäftigen, unseren Textkorpus. Die Auswertungen zeigen, dass insbesondere Kinder mit Behinderung sehr häufig als Zielgruppe adressiert werden – und zwar in Konzeptionen, die den Inklusionsbegriff verwenden, ebenso häufig wie in Konzeptionen, die den Integrationsbegriff nutzen. In Konzeptionen mit dem Integrationsbegriff ist häufiger eine Förderperspektive vorhanden als in Konzeptionen mit dem Inklusionsbegriff, während sich die Häufigkeit der Thematisierung von Teilhabe nicht unterscheidet. Die Ergebnisse des Topic-Modeling zeigen zudem typische Kombinationen von Integrations- bzw. Inklusionsaspekten. Etwa kann die Kombination aus einem Fokus auf „Integrationskinder“, einer Förderperspektive sowie einer zentralen Rolle von (heilpädagogischen) Spezialisten als assimilativer Integrationsansatz charakterisiert werden, während das Topic „Inklusion: Vielfalt und Teilhabe von allen“ einen breiten Inklusionsansatz repräsentiert. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen jedoch noch weitere Kombinationen und Schwerpunktsetzungen (z. B. gemeinsames Leben und Lernen von Kindern mit und ohne Behinderung; soziale und kulturelle Integration). Insgesamt hat sich somit die Berücksichtigung verschiedener Aspekte und Dimensionen von Integration und Inklusion als fruchtbar erwiesen.
Neural Network Supported Microscale In Situ Deformation Tracking: A Comparative Study of Testing Geometries
Authors: Keckes Julius F. , Jelinek Alexander , Kiener Daniel , Alfreider Markus
Published: February 2024

Micro- and nanomechanical testing techniques have become an integral part of today’s materials research portfolio. Contrary to well-studied and majorly standardized nanoindentation testing, in situ testing of various geometries, such as pillar compression, dog bone tension, or cantilever bending, remains rather unique given differences in experimental equipment and sample processing route. The quantification of such experiments is oftentimes limited to load-displacement data, while the gathered in situ images are considered a qualitative information channel only. However, by utilizing modern computer-aided support in the form of the recently developed Segment Anything Model (SAM), quantitative mechanical information from images can be evaluated in a high-throughput manner and adds to the data fidelity and accuracy of every individual experiment. In the present work, we showcase image-assisted mechanical evaluation of compression, tension and bending experiments on micron-scaled resin specimens, produced via two-photon lithography. The present framework allows for a determination of an accurate sample strain, which further enables determination of quantities such as the elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio or viscoelastic relaxation after fracture.
The Long Non-Coding RNA NR3C2-8:1 Promotes p53-Mediated Apoptosis through the miR-129-5p/USP10 Axis in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Pang Dejiang , Yu Yujiao , Zhao Bi , Huang Jingxuan , Cui Yiyuan , Li Tengfei , Li Chunyu , Shang Huifang
Published: February 2024

Motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a form of apoptosis, but the mechanisms underlying this neuronal cell death remain unclear. Numerous studies demonstrate abnormally elevated and active p53 in the central nervous system of ALS patients. Activation of p53-regulated pro-apoptotic signaling pathways may trigger motor neuron death. We previously reported decreased expression of the long non-coding RNA NR3C2-8:1 (Lnc-NR3C) in leukocytes of ALS patients. Here, we show lnc-NR3C promotes p53-mediated cell death in ALS by upregulating USP10 and promoting lnc-NR3C-triggered p53 activation, resulting in cell death. Conversely, lnc-NR3C knockdown inhibited USP10-triggered p53 activation, thereby protecting cells against oxidative stress. As a competitive endogenous RNA, lnc-NR3C competitively binds miR-129-5p, regulating the usp10/p53 axis. Elucidating the link between Lnc-NR3C and the USP10/p53 axis in an ALS cell model reveals a role for long non-coding RNAs in activating apoptosis. This provides new therapeutic opportunities in ALS.
Characterization and technological functions of different lactic acid bacteria from traditionally produced Kırklareli white brined cheese during the ripening period
Authors: Çetin Bayram , Usal Merve , Aloğlu Hatice Şanlıdere , Busch Annemarie , Dertli Enes , Abdulmawjood Amir
Published: February 2024

In the present study, the evolution of the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in traditional Kırklareli white brined cheese collected from 14 different cheese manufacturing facilities were investigated on different days of the 90-day ripening period. The obtained LAB within the species Lactococcus (Lc.) lactis, Latilactobacillus (Lt.) curvatus, Lactobacillus (Lb.) casei and Lb. plantarum, Enterococcus (E.) durans, E. faecium, E. faecalis, Streptococcus macedonicus, and Weissella paramesenteroides were characterized in terms of their influence on technological properties and their potential as starter cultures for traditional white brined cheese production. The results of the microbiological and physicochemical investigations showed that a few selected isolates of Lc. lactis, Lb. casei, and Lb. plantarum had certain functions as starter germs. Moderate acidification capacity, antibacterial activity and proteolytic activity, which are characteristic of their use as starter lactic acid bacteria, were found. Importantly, antibiotic resistance among selected Lc. lactis, Lb. casei, and Lb. plantarum isolates was extremely low, whereas some of these isolates demonstrated antibacterial activity against major foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Based on the results obtained in this study, selected Lc. and Lb. isolates can also be considered as starter culture in traditional cheese production.