bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cervical kyphosis after posterior cervical laminectomy with and without fusion
Authors: Jentzsch Thorsten , Wetzel Oliver T. , Malhotra Armaan K. , Lozano Christopher S. , Massicotte Eric M. , Spirig José M. , Fehlings Michael G. , Farshad Mazda
Published: June 2024

Background

Cervical posterior instrumentation and fusion is often performed to avoid post-laminectomy kyphosis. However, larger comparative analyses of cervical laminectomy with or without fusion are sparse.

Methods

A retrospective, two-center, comparative cohort study included patients after stand-alone dorsal laminectomy with (n = 91) or without (n = 46) additional fusion for degenerative cervical myelopathy with a median follow-up of 59 (interquartile range (IQR) 52) months. The primary outcome was the C2-7 Cobb angle and secondary outcomes were Neck Disability Index (NDI), modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale, revision rates, T1 slope and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-7 SVA) at final follow-up. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders (i.e. age, operated levels, and follow-up). Results: Preoperative C2-7 Cobb angle and T1 slope were higher in the laminectomy group, while the C2-7 SVA was similar. The decrease in C2-7 Cobb angle from pre- to postoperatively was more pronounced in the laminectomy group (− 6° (IQR 20) versus −1° (IQR 7), p = 0.002). When adjusting for confounders, the decrease in C2-7 Cobb angle remained higher in the laminectomy group (coefficient − 12 (95% confidence interval (CI) −18 to −5), p = 0.001). However, there were no adjusted differences for postoperative NDI (− 11 (− 23 to 2), p = 0.10), mJOA, revision rates, T1 slope and C2-7 SVA. Conclusion: Posterior cervical laminectomy without fusion is associated with mild loss of cervical lordosis of around 6° in the mid-term after approximately five years, however without any clinical relevance regarding NDI or mJOA in well-selected patients (particularly in shorter segment laminectomies of < 3 levels).
Exploring caspase functions in mouse models
Authors: Svandova Eva , Vesela Barbora , Janeckova Eva , Chai Yang , Matalova Eva
Published: June 2024

Caspases are enzymes with protease activity. Despite being known for more than three decades, caspase investigation still yields surprising and fascinating information. Initially associated with cell death and inflammation, their functions have gradually been revealed to extend beyond, targeting pathways such as cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. These processes are also associated with disease mechanisms, positioning caspases as potential targets for numerous pathologies including inflammatory, neurological, metabolic, or oncological conditions. While in vitro studies play a crucial role in elucidating molecular pathways, they lack the context of the body’s complexity. Therefore, laboratory animals are an indispensable part of successfully understanding and applying caspase networks. This paper aims to summarize and discuss recent knowledge, understanding, and challenges in caspase knock-out mice.
Slovenian parliamentary corpus siParl
Authors: Meden Katja , Erjavec Tomaž , Pančur Andrej
Published: June 2024

Parliamentary debates represent an essential part of democratic discourse and provide insights into various socio-demographic and linguistic phenomena - parliamentary corpora, which contain transcripts of parliamentary debates and extensive metadata, are an important resource for parliamentary discourse analysis and other research areas. This paper presents the Slovenian parliamentary corpus siParl, the latest version of which contains transcripts of plenary sessions and other legislative bodies of the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia from 1990 to 2022, comprising more than 1 million speeches and 210 million words. We outline the development history of the corpus and also mention other initiatives that have been influenced by siParl (such as the Parla-CLARIN encoding and the ParlaMint corpora of European parliaments), present the corpus creation process, ranging from the initial data collection to the structural development and encoding of the corpus, and given the growing influence of the ParlaMint corpora, compare siParl with the Slovenian ParlaMint-SI corpus. Finally, we discuss updates for the next version as well as the long-term development and enrichment of the siParl corpus.
The causal relationship between public debt and economic growth in G7 countries: new evidence from time and frequency domain approaches
Authors: Bozatli Oguzhan , Serin Seref Can , Demir Murat
Published: June 2024

Investigators of the public debt-economic growth nexus have yet to fully address the crucial issue of determining the direction of causality. There is an implicit assumption—or perception—that the causal relationship is mostly from public debt to economic growth. Beyond this, causal relationships may vary according to the presence of structural breaks as well as different frequency characteristics. The focus of this study is to address these issues. In this context, we comparatively investigate how structural changes and frequency characteristics affect the public debt-economic growth nexus using historical data covering the period 1870–2020 for G7 countries. Methodologically, we use Fourier Toda-Yamamoto and frequency-domain causality techniques from time and frequency-based approaches, respectively. Consistent with our expectations, we show that in the link between public debt and economic growth, they differ from or in some cases confirm each other based on the time and frequency-domain approaches. According to both approaches, in Italy and Japan, the feedback effect is valid, implying a mutual interaction between public debt and economic growth. Also, we find that this relationship is permanent. Similarly, we conclude that there is no causal relationship for France according to both approaches. For the remaining countries, however, we provide diverse evidence on both the direction of causality and the temporary/permanent nature of the causal relationship. The results on temporary or permanent causality at different frequencies offer policymakers and researchers detailed insights into an obscure aspect of the existing literature.
Exploring nut quality traits in almond varieties: a comparative study of local and foreign cultivars and their F1 hybrid offsprings
Authors: Özcan Hatice , Güney Müjgan , Karcı Harun , Tevfik Habibullah , Kafkas Salih , Acar İzzet , Kafkas Ebru
Published: June 2024

Almonds are one of the most popular and widely consumed tree nuts in the world, prized for their taste, texture, and nutritional benefits. However, the quality and characteristics of almonds can vary significantly depending on the variety and growing conditions. In this context, a comparative study was conducted to explore the nut quality traits of almond local and foreign cultivars, as well as their F1 hybrid offspring resulting from crossbreeding. “Nut quality” is a dynamic concept changing based on consumer needs and perceptions that reflect sociocultural evolution. The aim of this study was to identify the most promising almond varieties and hybrids based on some nut quality traits including macro–micro elements and tocopherol contents. To accomplish this goal, samples were collected from local (Gulcan 2 and Nurlu) and foreign (Lauranne and Guara) almond cultivars, as well as F1 hybrid offspring resulting in two cross-breading (“Gulcan 2 × Lauranne” and “Guara × Nurlu”), and conducted a comprehensive analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Our results showed that the nut quality traits of almonds can vary significantly among different cultivars and hybrids, with some varieties and hybrids exhibiting superior characteristics compared to others. These findings provide important insights into the potential for improving almond quality through crossbreeding and the development of new varieties with improved characteristics which can help inform breeding programs and improve the quality of almonds available in the market.
Effect of identical twins on deep speaker embeddings based forensic voice comparison
Authors: Abed Mohammed Hamzah , Sztahó Dávid
Published: June 2024

Deep learning has gained widespread adoption in forensic voice comparison in recent years. It is mainly used to learn speaker representations, known as embedding features or vectors. In this work, the effect of identical twins on two state-of-the-art deep speaker embedding methods was investigated with special focus on metrics of forensic voice comparison. The speaker verification performance has been assessed using the likelihood-ratio framework by likelihood ratio cost and equal error rate. The AVTD twin speech dataset was applied. The results show a significant reduction in speaker verification performance when twin samples are present. Neither the adaptation of LR score calculation to twin samples, nor fine-tuning the pre-trained speaker embedding models seemed to be able to leverage this limitation. It was found that the recognition of same or different speakers was possible even in the case of identical twins but the performance dropped greatly. The lowest EER of the best performing model was 3.4% in the case of non-twin; at the same time, EER was 25.3% when twins were present. This doesn’t mean that the presented methods are useless in case of identical twins, but it must be taken into consideration that in case of a higher likelihood-ratio score (which indicates same speakers on the tested samples), the possibility of twins must also be considered in a real casework.
Influence of La additions on solidification and microstructure in the as-cast state of the aluminium alloy EN AW-7175
Authors: Balaško Tilen , Vončina Maja , Nagode Aleš , Medved Jožef
Published: June 2024

The high-strength aluminium alloys of the 7xxx series, which belong to the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu system, are known for their exceptional properties and are often used for applications where strength, fatigue resistance, stress corrosion resistance and wear resistance are required. The alloy EN AW-7175 requires an understanding of the precipitation process during solidification and cooling, where different phases are formed depending on the Zn/Mg ratio and cooling rate. Microstructural defects in the as-cast state affect the mechanical properties, prompting the investigation of La additions to refine the microstructure and improve the mechanical properties. In this study, the influence of La additions on the solidification and microstructure of the alloy EN AW-7175 in the as-cast state is investigated. Thermodynamic calculations, DSC and SEM analyses were performed. Samples with La additions (0.05–0.17 mass%) were compared with a reference sample (0 mass% La). La additives have only a minimal effect on the liquidus temperature and show minor differences in the solidus temperature in equilibrium calculations. The solidification interval decreases slightly compared to the reference sample, which is consistent with the Scheil simulations. The DSC results show reduced liquidus and solidus temperatures, while the solidification interval remains largely unchanged by the addition of La. The addition of La alongside Al13Fe4, Mg2Si and the eutectic α(Al) + σ[Mg(Zn, Cu, Al)2] leads to the formation of two new La-based phases: Al20Cr2La and LaSi2. Al20Cr2La modifies the Al45Cr7 phase and solidifies first, while LaSi2 modifies Mg2Si. As the La content increases, the Mg2Si content decreases until it completely disappears at a La content of more than 0.1 mass%. On the contrary, according to the literature, the grain size increases somewhat with a higher La content.
Exploring the response of PACAP on thermal endurance of F-actin by differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Bukovics Péter , Lőrinczy Dénes
Published: June 2024

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a bioactive peptide known for its diverse effects on the nervous system. While numerous studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective properties of PACAP, its role in tissue regeneration and potential as a therapeutic agent remain to be fully understood. Specifically, the understanding of PACAP’s impact on cytoskeletal dynamics, particularly the organization and disorganization of actin filament networks, is limited due to the scarcity of in vitro studies in this area. Additionally, the interaction between PACAP and actin has been minimally explored, and the influence of PACAP on the thermal stability of actin is completely unknown. To address these gaps, the current study aimed to investigate the impact of different forms and fragments of PACAP on the thermal denaturation and renaturation of Ca2+-F-actin using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) approach. Our primary objective was to determine whether PACAP modulates the thermal stability of Ca2+-F-actin and establish a temperature-dependent pattern of any structural alterations that may occur as a result of PACAP interaction. Two PACAP forms exist in vivo: the 38 amino acid length PACAP38 and the PACAP27, the latter truncated at the C-terminal. Both in the PACAP38 + Ca2+-F-actin and in the PACAP6-38 + Ca2+-F-actin mixtures, the DSC scans exhibited a significant decrease of actin denaturation temperature compared to the control; however, the PACAP27 + Ca2+-F-actin and PACAP6-27 + Ca2+-F-actin revealed no remarkable differences compared to the actin control sample. The calorimetric enthalpy of the truncated PACAP27 and PACAP6-27 + actin mixture also followed the tendencies mentioned above. Thus, in PACAP27 and PACAP6-27 mixture, there was no change in the denaturation temperature of actin, and no significant ΔHcal was observed. Through this research, we sought to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of PACAP’s effects on actin dynamics using thermal de- and renaturation cycles.
The New Mechanistic Approach and Cognitive Ontology—Or: What Role do (Neural) Mechanisms Play in Cognitive Ontology?
Authors: Krickel Beate
Published: June 2024

Cognitive ontology has become a popular topic in philosophy, cognitive psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. At its center is the question of which cognitive capacities should be included in the ontology of cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience. One common strategy for answering this question is to look at brain structures and determine the cognitive capacities for which they are responsible. Some authors interpret this strategy as a search for neural mechanisms, as understood by the so-called new mechanistic approach. In this article, I will show that this new mechanistic answer is confronted with what I call the triviality problem. A discussion of this problem will show that one cannot derive a meaningful cognitive ontology from neural mechanisms alone. Nonetheless, neural mechanisms play a crucial role in the discovery of a cognitive ontology because they are epistemic proxies for best systematizations.
Optical Soliton solutions for stochastic Davey–Stewartson equation under the effect of noise
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Sajid , Inc Mustafa
Published: June 2024

In this manuscript, we investigates the stochastic Davey–Stewartson equation under the influence of noise in It$${\hat{o}}$$

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sense. This equations is a two-dimensional integrable equations, are higher-dimensional variations of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Plasma physics, nonlinear optics, hydrodynamics, and other fields have made use of the solutions to the stochastic Davey–Stewartson equations. The Sardar subequation method is used that will gives us the the stochastic optical soliton solutions in the form of dark, bright, combine and periodic waves. These exact optical soliton solutions are helpful in understanding a variety of fascinating physical phenomena because of the importance of the Davey- Stewartson equations in the theory of turbulence for plasma waves or in optical fibers. Additionally, we use Mathematica tools to plot our solutions and exhibit a series of three-dimensional, two-dimensional and their corresponding contour graphs to show how the noise affects the exact solutions of the stochastic Davey–Stewartson equation. We show how the stochastic Davey–Stewartson solutions are stabilised at around zero by the multiplicative Brownian motion.
ET1 acts as a potential plasma biomarker and therapeutic target in deep venous thrombosis rat model
Authors: Wang Zhanqi , Wu Zhangmin , Hu Zhongzhou , Zheng Huanqin , Chen Zhong
Published: June 2024

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is the third leading cause of death in cardiovascular disease, following heart attacks and strokes. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for effective DVT therapy. We aim to investigate whether endothelin-1 (ET-1) could serve as an early diagnostic marker or a potential therapeutic target in a DVT rat model. CCK8 assay, invasion assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of HUVECs, respectively. Elisa assay was used to detect ET-1 and coagulation factor VII in cell supernatant and rat?s plasma. Western blot was used to detect antioxidant signaling protein. Inferior vena cava stenosis was used to construct the DVT rat model. Lentivirus mediated overexpression of ET-1 in HUVECs impaired the cell proliferation and migration, increased cell apoptosis, inhibited the antioxidant signaling pathway proteins expression (e.g., NQO1, GCLC, Nrf-2), and upregulated coagulation factor VII. Furthermore, overexpression of ET-1 further impaired antioxidant signaling pathway protein in response to H2O2 treatment. However, lentivirus mediated ET-1 knockdown and BQ123 (an ET-1 inhibitor), showed the opposite results with ET-1 overexpression. We then established a DVT rat model by inferior vena cava stenosis. The stenosis induced early expression of ET-1 and coagulation factor VII in plasma at day 1 and restore their level at day 10. BQ123 could downregulate the coagulation factor VII to ameliorate the stenosis effects. Our findings suggest that ET-1 might serve as an early diagnostic marker for DVT rat model and a potential therapeutic target for treating DVT.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with cancer: analysis of the ACTION-CVT study
Authors: Vedovati Maria Cristina , Shu Liqi , Henninger Nils , Zubair Adeel S. , Heldner Mirjam R. , Al Kasab Sami , Siegler James E. , Liebeskind David S. , Antonenko Kateryna , Yaghi Shadi , Paciaroni Maurizio
Published: June 2024

Nearly one fifth of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) have cancer. When both of these conditions occur, especially in cases of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT), patient management is often challenging. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics and event courses in patients affected by CVT with and without cancer. Consecutive patients with CVT from the ACTION-CVT cohort study were included if cancer status was reported. Risk factors as well as the clinical and radiological characteristics of patients were compared. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to assess variables associated with cancer. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, logistic regression analysis, and propensity score matching were used to investigate any association between cancer-related CVT and study outcomes (primary outcome at 3-months: recurrent VTE or major hemorrhage; recurrent VTE; major hemorrhage; recanalization status; all-cause-death). Overall, 1,023 patients with CVT were included, of which 6.5% had cancer. Older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.28 per decade increase; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.52) and absence of headache (aOR 0.47; 95% CI 0.27–0.84) were independently associated with cancer. Patients with cancer had a higher risk of recurrent VTE or major hemorrhage (aOR 3.87; 95% CI 2.09–7.16), all-cause-death (aOR 7.56 95% CI 3.24–17.64), and major hemorrhage (aOR 3.70 95% CI 1.76–7.80). Recanalization rates, partial or complete, was not significantly different. CVT patients with cancer were more likely to be older, have no referred headache, and have worse outcomes compared to CVT patients without cancer.
Aortic roadmapping during EVAR: a combined FEM–EM tracking feasibility study
Authors: Emendi Monica , Tangen Geir A. , Di Giovanni Pierluigi , Ulsaker Håvard , Brekken Reidar , Manstad-Hulaas Frode , Prot Victorien , Bel-Brunon Aline , Støverud Karen H.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Currently, the intra-operative visualization of vessels during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) relies on contrast-based imaging modalities. Moreover, traditional image fusion techniques lack a continuous and automatic update of the vessel configuration, which changes due to the insertion of stiff guidewires. The purpose of this work is to develop and evaluate a novel approach to improve image fusion, that takes into account the deformations, combining electromagnetic (EM) tracking technology and finite element modeling (FEM).

Methods

To assess whether EM tracking can improve the prediction of the numerical simulations, a patient-specific model of abdominal aorta was segmented and manufactured. A database of simulations with different insertion angles was created. Then, an ad hoc sensorized tool with three embedded EM sensors was designed, enabling tracking of the sensors’ positions during the insertion phase. Finally, the corresponding cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were acquired and processed to obtain the ground truth aortic deformations of the manufactured model.

Results

Among the simulations in the database, the one minimizing the in silico versus in vitro discrepancy in terms of sensors’ positions gave the most accurate aortic displacement results.

Conclusions

The proposed approach suggests that the EM tracking technology could be used not only to follow the tool, but also to minimize the error in the predicted aortic roadmap, thus paving the way for a safer EVAR navigation.
Effective methods for plane quartics, their theta characteristics and the Scorza map
Authors: Ottaviani Giorgio
Published: June 2024

This is a revised version of the lecture notes prepared for the workshop on “Plane quartics, Scorza map and related topics”, held in Catania, January 19–21, 2016. The last section contains eight Macaulay2 scripts on theta characteristics and the Scorza map, with a tutorial. The first sections give an introduction to these scripts. The tutorial contains a list of the 36 Scorza preimages of the Edge quartic.
Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, caused by superior mesenteric artery thrombosis with intestinal necrosis: a case report
Authors: Osaki Yosuke , Maeoka Yujiro , Sami Mai , Takahashi Akira , Ishiuchi Naoki , Sasaki Kensuke , Masaki Takao
Published: June 2024

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis is a common complication of PD. Enteric peritonitis is defined as peritonitis arising from an intestinal or intra-abdominal organ source. The delay in the diagnosis or treatment of enteric peritonitis has been reported to increase mortality. Therefore, the early consideration of enteric peritonitis, particularly in cases of culture-negative peritonitis, is imperative. A 67-year-old Japanese man who had been undergoing PD for 3 years, was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of PD-associated peritonitis. A month previously, he experienced a bleeding gastric ulcer, which led to severe anemia (hemoglobin 6.3 mg/dL), followed by thrombocytosis. On admission, peritoneal fluid analysis showed a high white blood cell count (WBC: 8,570 /µL), with neutrophils predominating (74.5%). Cultures of both his dialysis effluent and blood were negative. After admission, the WBC count of the dialysis effluent gradually decreased alongside antibiotic therapy, but the patient’s abdominal pain did not improve. After 4 days, enhanced computed tomography showed superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombosis and intestinal necrosis. Therefore, emergency intestinal resection and PD catheter removal were performed, and then antithrombosis therapy was initiated. Because the patient’s abdominal pain was improved and platelet count and d-dimer concentration were reduced by these treatments, he was discharged from the hospital after 47 days. Thus, we report a rare case of culture-negative PD-associated peritonitis, which was caused by SMA thrombosis and intestinal necrosis. It is likely that combination of severe calcification of SMA and prolonged thrombocytosis secondary to the severe anemia contributed to the thrombosis.
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of extended spectrum- and metallo- beta lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from Egypt
Authors: Edward Eva A. , El Shehawy Marwa R. , Abouelfetouh Alaa , Aboulmagd Elsayed
Published: June 2024

Background

Antimicrobial resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a leading cause of nosocomial infections worldwide, is escalating. This study investigated the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) among 104 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates from Alexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.

Methods

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using agar dilution technique, or broth microdilution method in case of colistin. ESBL and MBL prevalence was assessed phenotypically and genotypically using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The role of plasmids in mediating resistance to extended-spectrum β-lactams was studied via transformation technique using plasmids isolated from ceftazidime-resistant isolates.

Results

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed alarming resistance rates to carbapenems, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones. Using PCR as the gold standard, phenotypic methods underestimated ESBL production while overestimating MBL production. Eighty-five isolates (81.7%) possessed only ESBL encoding genes, among which 69 isolates harbored a single ESBL gene [blaOXA-10 (n = 67) and blaPER (n = 2)]. Four ESBL-genotype combinations were detected: blaPER + blaOXA-10 (n = 8), blaVEB-1 + blaOXA-10 (n = 6), blaPSE + blaOXA-10 (n = 1), and blaPER + blaVEB-1 + blaOXA-10 (n = 1). Three isolates (2.9%) possessed only the MBL encoding gene blaVIM. Three ESBL + MBL- genotype combinations: blaOXA-10 + blaAIM, blaOXA-10 + blaVIM, and blaPER + blaOXA-10 + blaAIM were detected in 2, 1 and 1 isolate(s), respectively. Five plasmid preparations harboring blaVEB-1 and blaOXA-10 were successfully transformed into chemically competent Escherichia coli DH5α with transformation efficiencies ranging between 6.8 × 10 3 and 3.7 × 10 4    CFU/μg DNA plasmid. Selected tested transformants were ceftazidime-resistant and harbored plasmids carrying blaOXA-10.

Conclusions

The study highlights the importance of the expeditious characterization of ESBLs and MBLs using genotypic methods among P. aeruginosa clinical isolates to hinder the development and dissemination of multidrug resistant strains.
A Thermal Conductivity Model for Lamellar and Compacted Graphite Irons
Authors: Belov Ilja , Fourlakidis Vasileios , Domeij Björn , Matsushita Taishi , Diószegi Attila
Published: June 2024

Thermal conductivity is an important property for cast components produced from different types of cast iron. Development of a general widely-accepted thermal conductivity model for compacted and lamellar graphite irons poses a research challenge. The present study extends the modeling approach introduced earlier for pearlitic lamellar graphite iron toward compacted graphite iron and ferritic lamellar graphite iron. The proposed thermal conductivity model of the bulk material is based on the alloy microstructure and Si segregation between eutectic cells and non-cell regions, at the main assumption that the heat paths in the eutectic cells are formed by connected graphite phases surrounded by ferrite phases. The overall thermal resistance of these heat paths is determined by the hydraulic diameter of the interdendritic region. The uncertainties both for the modeled and for experimentally derived thermal conductivities have been estimated. The importance of considering the Si segregation in the model has been discussed. For the investigated samples, the agreement between modeled and measured thermal conductivities has been achieved within 4% on the average, at the same value of the single fitting parameter found for pearlitic, pearlitic–ferritic lamellar, and compacted graphite iron alloys. The results contribute to the understanding of the material microstructure effects on the cast iron thermal conductivity.
“I’m not guarding the dungeon”: faculty members’ perspectives on contract cheating in the UAE
Authors: Aljanahi Mona Humaid , Aljanahi Mohammed Humaid , Mahmoud Eman Y.
Published: June 2024

Students are increasingly relying on contract cheating (CC), a phenomenon in which a third party completes the assignment, quiz, or homework for students in exchange for a fee. Using an exploratory qualitative method and underpinned by critical theory and social responsibility theory, this study explored the perceptions of faculty members regarding CC in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) higher education institutions. In particular, this study addressed how faculty members perceive and deal with CC in contexts where policies towards the practice are absent from higher institution honour codes. Using thematic analysis, the results showed that CC arouses the indignation of faculty and staff to the violation of individual and religious rights. Also, they believe they have a sense of responsibility towards students and the community. The results also showed that faculty members’ hesitation in reporting CC incidents was due to their perceived lack of support from higher administration institutions and the lack of clear procedures in ethical manuals. This paper concludes with practical recommendations for faculty and staff, managers, department heads and decision makers to mitigate this phenomenon proactively.
Autonomous landing of a quadrotor on a moving platform using motion capture system
Authors: Qassab Ayman , Khan Muhammad Umer , Irfanoglu Bulent
Published: June 2024

This paper investigates the challenging problem of the autonomous landing of a quadrotor on a moving platform in a non-cooperative environment. The limited sensing ability of quadrotors often hampers their utilization for autonomous landing, especially in GPS-denied areas. The performance of motion capture systems (MCSs) in many application areas is the motivation to utilize them for the autonomous take-off and landing of the quadrotor in this research. An autonomous closed-loop vision-based navigation, tracking, and control system is proposed for quadrotors to perform landing based upon Model Predictive Control (MPC) by utilizing multi-objective functions. The entire process is posed as a constrained tracking problem to minimize energy consumption and ensure smooth maneuvers. The proposed approach is fully autonomous from take-off to landing; whereas, the movements of the landing platform are pre-defined but still unknown to the quadrotor. The landing performance of the quadrotor is tested and evaluated for three different movement patterns: static, square-shaped, and circular-shaped. Through experimental results, the pose error between the quadrotor and the platform is measured and found to be less than 30 cm.
Global selection appraisal study for heat pump system of electric vehicle based on energetic, economic, and environmental analysis
Authors: Li Kexin , Shi Lingfeng , Zhang Yonghao , Yao Yu , Tian Hua , Shu Gequn
Published: June 2024

The development of electric vehicles (EVs) exhibits rapid and remarkable progress nowadays, serving as a crucial route to accomplish the target of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. As an integral part of the thermal management system oriented toward electric vehicles, the heat pump air conditioning system for electric vehicles is the result of a comprehensive choice that trades off the cooling and heating performance, environmental performance and economic cost. Particularly, different regions around the world suffer varying cooling and heating challenges due to the complicated climatic characteristics. Thus the most suitable refrigerant and system cycle structure may differ. This paper focuses on evaluating both the refrigerants and cycle structures to screen the most suitable choice. According to the climate conditions of different cities, the annual energy consumption, life cycle climate performance, and economic cost of the basic system (Base), two-stage compression system (TSC,IC), and vapor injection (VI) system with CO2, R134a, and R1234yf refrigerants respectively, are quantitatively analyzed and evaluated. Subsequently, through comparative analysis, a comprehensive selection map for heat pump systems in electric vehicles worldwide is developed and the most suitable heat pump air conditioning system for each cites is determined. The results can provide a selection reference and decision-making for the air conditioning system of electric vehicles from regional considerations. It was found that the CO2 HPACVI was recommended for cold regions to meet both environmental and economic requirements. In warm region, the R1234yf HPACBase system was recommended to be used. For regions transitioning from cold to warm climates, the R1234yf HPACVI system was suggested. In hot region, the R1234yf AC system was recommended.
The clash between physical and digital realm: hybrid movement training during the pandemic
Authors: Serdar Bilge
Published: June 2024

This article is based on ethnographic research conducted in one of the physical training institutions that offer the Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies (LBMS) certification program in 2021. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the training was held in a hybrid format in which some participants were in the studio while others were attending remotely via Zoom. Zoom-mediated movement training for long hours revealed how the intervention of telematic technologies challenged practitioners’ sensorial experience and sense-making process. Moreover, bringing co-located and remote participants’ experiences together in the hybrid setting disclosed different modes of interaction dynamics in the studio and online. Overall, participants described their hybrid experience as a clash. In the article, starting from unfolding those clashes from the enactive perspective, I discuss how remote intercorporeality through an audio–video streaming system, Zoom, challenges participants’ sensorial experience and how remote interaction affects the shared sense-making process in the hybrid format setting.
Ensemble of Neural Networks Utilizing Seismic Attributes for Rock‐Property Inversion With Uncertainty Estimation
Authors: Ntibahanana M. , Jianguo S. , Luemba M. , Tondozi K. , Imani G. , Mohamed B.
Published: June 2024

Seismic inversion holds significant importance across various domains of geoscience and engineering, including the characterization of energy resource reservoirs, the assessment of polluted sites, and CO2 storage. It is a process of estimating rock properties from seismic data that is inherently uncertain, nonlinear, non‐unique, and highly challenging. Using multiple seismic attributes increases the size of the data, requiring considerable processing resources and time. However, deep learning can accurately fit quantities of nonlinear variables, making it an excellent method for predicting spatially distributed subsurface properties. We trained some multi‐output regression neural networks to carry out porosity inversion from seismic data. We initially computed a series of seismic attributes and generated the corresponding porosity using interpreted horizons, well logs, and seismic data. Subsequently, we proposed a technique to identify the most relevant seismic attributes for porosity inversion. Because our networks work as stochastic modeling entities, we created a weight‐averaging ensemble approach to build a strong model with the highest level of accuracy. We combined realizations from baseline entities, considering their respective performance levels. Using the statistics between these realizations and the robust model, we determined the degree of uncertainty associated with the outcome. We found an R2 of 0.993 and an MAE of 0.00112 in the F3 block offshore the Netherlands, proving the method's effectiveness. The mean porosity was 0.175193, compared to 0.175626 from a reference model, and the mean uncertainty was ±0.0008998.
High Abundances and Expression Levels of Atypical, Non‐Denitrifier N2O Reductases Drive Strong Microbial N2O Consumption Rates in a Minimally Impacted Mangrove Stand
Authors: Jameson Brett D. , Lopez Mark Louie D. , Bonderud Matthew , Stevens Catherine J. , Juniper S. Kim , Helbing Caren C. , Grundle Damian S.
Published: June 2024

Knowledge of the ecological mechanisms governing N2O cycling in marine sediments lags that of water columns and terrestrial soils, leaving much to be learned about how microbial community dynamics relate to variability in sediment N2O fluxes. The present study assesses these relationships across two distinct environments by focusing on the community structure and activity of N2O reducing microorganisms. The N2O sink capacity of minimally impacted Bermudian mangrove sediments was first estimated using trace‐level microsensors and profile interpretation modeling. Molecular data obtained from these sediments were then compared with those from the Northeast Subarctic Pacific (NESAP) outer continental margin, where previous measurements suggest considerable N2O effluxes. Net N2O uptake was observed for mangrove sediments under ambient and elevated dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations (−0.22 ± 0.15 to −0.30 ± 0.26 μmol N2O m−2 d−1), suggesting the microbial potential for N2O consumption exceeded the potential for production via combined nitrification and denitrification. Targeting of bacterial nosZI and nosII gene clusters for quantification using qPCR indicated higher abundance and expression of non‐denitrifier nosZII genes in mangrove sediments demonstrating net N2O uptake. Net N2O production in NESAP sediments was associated with higher abundance and expression of nosZI genes associated with canonical denitrifiers. These results suggest that organisms possessing atypical nosZII genes may act as important N2O scavengers in low‐nitrogen coastal sediments.
Climate Impact on Dissolved Organic Carbon Composition in a North‐Temperate Peatland and Recipient Surface Water
Authors: Berggren Martin , Salimi Shokoufeh , Sparkes Bradley , Scholz Miklas
Published: June 2024

Climate may regulate dissolved organic carbon (DOC) composition across the peat‐water interface, but experimental evidence is scarce. We manipulated the climate in peatland and recipient surface water mesocosms to reflect four different climate warming scenarios. In half of the mesocosms, the water level was managed to avoid drought, after which responses were recorded during two annual cycles. It was hypothesized that warming and drought increase the aromaticity and humic‐like fluorescence character of DOC, and that this change propagate to recipient waters. Pore water DOC concentrations increased with temperature and peaked in hydrologically unmanaged mesocosms. Aromaticity increased as expected after drought in the warmest scenario (+3.2°C), but the overall evidence for hypothesized changes in DOC aromaticity and fluorescence composition (%) was limited. In managed warming scenarios, one aromatic humic component expectedly increased together with microbially derived humic fluorescence, whereas two other humic‐like components decreased. In the unmanaged mesocosms which were exposed to drought, water level exerted an overriding control of humic DOC; for example, as the microbially derived humic fluorescence diminished after drought in all climate scenarios. In the surface water recipients, warming had nearly no impact on humic‐like fluorescence, but there were decreases in protein‐like fluorescence. Overall, this experiment revealed no conclusive support for the hypothesized aromatization and humification of peatland‐derived DOC in response to drought or warming. Nonetheless, both factors increase the quantity of DOC in peatland pore waters and affect composition in complex ways, calling for further investigation of chemical and functional traits of peatland DOC in a changing environment.
Is There a Carbonated Mid‐Lithosphere Discontinuity in Cratons?
Authors: Zhao Yajie , Deng Xin , Chen Ling , Wu Zhongqing
Published: June 2024

The mid‐lithosphere discontinuity (MLD), identified by a sharp velocity drop at ∼70–100 km depths within the cratonic lithosphere is key to comprehending the chemical composition and thermal structure of the cratonic lithosphere. The MLD is widely accepted to be caused by composition anomalies, such as hydrous minerals, which show low velocities and high electrical conductivities. However, noticeable high‐electrical conductivity anomalies have not been detected in the most cratonic lithosphere. Dolomite has an electrical conductivity similar to olivine and can be originated by carbonatitic melts trapped at ∼80–140 km depths. Here we investigated the elasticity of dolomite under mantle conditions using ab initio calculations and found dolomite exhibits significantly lower velocities than the primary minerals in the lithospheric mantle. Therefore, the dolomite enrichment might provide a good explanation for the observed velocity drop of the MLD in cratonic regions where no high‐conductivity anomaly has been detected, such as the northern Slave craton.
Antitumor efficacy and potential mechanism of FAP-targeted radioligand therapy combined with immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Zhao Liang , Pang Yizhen , Zhou Yangfan , Chen Jianhao , Fu Hao , Guo Wei , Xu Weizhi , Xue Xin , Su Guoqiang , Sun Long , Wu Hua , Zhang Jingjing , Wang Zhanxiang , Lin Qin , Chen Xiaoyuan , Chen Haojun
Published: June 2024

Radiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint blockade holds great promise for synergistic antitumor efficacy. Targeted radionuclide therapy delivers radiation directly to tumor sites. LNC1004 is a fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeting radiopharmaceutical, conjugated with the albumin binder Evans Blue, which has demonstrated enhanced tumor uptake and retention in previous preclinical and clinical studies. Herein, we demonstrate that 68Ga/177Lu-labeled LNC1004 exhibits increased uptake and prolonged retention in MC38/NIH3T3-FAP and CT26/NIH3T3-FAP tumor xenografts. Radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-LNC1004 induced a transient upregulation of PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. The combination of 177Lu-LNC1004 and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy led to complete eradication of all tumors in MC38/NIH3T3-FAP tumor-bearing mice, with mice showing 100% tumor rejection upon rechallenge. Immunohistochemistry, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and TCR sequencing revealed that combination therapy reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment in mice to foster antitumor immunity by suppressing malignant progression and increasing cell-to-cell communication, CD8+ T-cell activation and expansion, M1 macrophage counts, antitumor activity of neutrophils, and T-cell receptor diversity. A preliminary clinical study demonstrated that 177Lu-LNC1004 was well-tolerated and effective in patients with refractory cancers. Further, scRNA-seq of peripheral blood mononuclear cells underscored the importance of addressing immune evasion through immune checkpoint blockade treatment. This was emphasized by the observed increase in antigen processing and presentation juxtaposed with T cell inactivation. In conclusion, our data supported the efficacy of immunotherapy combined with 177Lu-LNC1004 for cancer patients with FAP-positive tumors.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: long-term survival analysis of the DESTINY-Breast03 trial
Authors: Cortés Javier , Hurvitz Sara A. , Im Seock-Ah , Iwata Hiroji , Curigliano Giuseppe , Kim Sung-Bae , Chiu Joanne W. Y. , Pedrini Jose L. , Li Wei , Yonemori Kan , Bianchini Giampaolo , Loi Sherene , Borges Giuliano S. , Wang Xian , Bachelot Thomas , Nakatani Shunsuke , Ashfaque Shahid , Liang Zhengkang , Egorov Anton , Hamilton Erika
Published: June 2024

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) demonstrated significantly improved efficacy over trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in DESTINY-Breast03 (median follow-up, 28 months). We report updated efficacy and safety analyses, including secondary and exploratory efficacy endpoints (median follow-up, 41 months) of DESTINY-Breast03. Patients with advanced HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer previously treated with taxane and trastuzumab were randomized to T-DXd (5.4 mg per kg (261 patients)) or T-DM1 (3.6 mg per kg (263 patients)). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) by blinded independent central review and was previously reported. The key secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Other secondary endpoints included objective response rate, duration of response and PFS (all by investigator assessment) and safety. At data cutoff, 20 November 2023, median PFS by investigator assessment was 29.0 versus 7.2 months (hazard ratio (HR), 0.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.24–0.38), the 36-month PFS rate was 45.7% versus 12.4% and median OS was 52.6 versus 42.7 months (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56–0.94) with T-DXd versus T-DM1, respectively. Treatment-emergent adverse events were consistent with the previous analyses. No new instances of grade ≥3 interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis occurred (all grade rate, 16.7% (T-DXd) versus 3.4% (T-DM1)). With longer follow-up, T-DXd continued to demonstrate superior efficacy over T-DM1 with a manageable safety profile. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03529110.
Cell-free DNA for the detection of kidney allograft rejection
Authors: Aubert Olivier , Ursule-Dufait Cindy , Brousse Romain , Gueguen Juliette , Racapé Maud , Raynaud Marc , Van Loon Elisabet , Pagliazzi Angelica , Huang Edmund , Jordan Stanley C. , Chavin Kenneth D. , Gupta Gaurav , Kumar Dhiren , Alhamad Tarek , Anand Sanjiv , Sanchez-Garcia Jorge , Abdalla Basmah A. , Hogan Julien , Garro Rouba , Dadhania Darshana M. , Jain Pranjal , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Naesens Maarten , Dandamudi Raja , Dharnidharka Vikas R. , Anglicheau Dany , Lefaucheur Carmen , Loupy Alexandre
Published: June 2024

Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is an emerging noninvasive biomarker that has the potential to detect allograft injury. The capacity of dd-cfDNA to detect kidney allograft rejection and its added clinical value beyond standard of care patient monitoring is unclear. We enrolled 2,882 kidney allograft recipients from 14 transplantation centers in Europe and the United States in an observational population-based study. The primary analysis included 1,134 patients. Donor-derived cell-free DNA levels strongly correlated with allograft rejection, including antibody-mediated rejection (P < 0.0001), T cell-mediated rejection (P < 0.0001) and mixed rejection (P < 0.0001). In multivariable analysis, circulating dd-cfDNA was significantly associated with allograft rejection (odds ratio 2.275; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.902–2.739; P < 0.0001) independently of standard of care patient monitoring parameters. The inclusion of dd-cfDNA to a standard of care prediction model showed improved discrimination (area under the curve 0.777 (95% CI 0.741–0.811) to 0.821 (95% CI 0.784–0.852); P = 0.0011) and calibration. These results were confirmed in the external validation cohorts (n = 1,748) including a cohort of African American patients (n = 439). Finally, dd-cfDNA showed high predictive value to detect subclinical rejection in stable patients. Our study provides insights on the potential value of assessing dd-cfDNA, in addition to standard of care monitoring, to improve the detection of allograft rejection. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05995379.