bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revival of Oscillations from Explosive Death Under Mean-Field Attractive–Repulsive Coupling
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua , Wang Liang , Xu Wei
Published: February 2025

The restoration and maintenance of oscillatory rhythms are integrated to the regular operation of biological and physical processes. In this paper, we explore the revival of oscillations, specifically focusing on the phenomenon of explosive Nontrivial Amplitude Death (NAD) that occurs within [Formula: see text] van der Pol oscillators coupled through mean-field attractive–repulsive interactions. By incorporating discrete and distributed delays into the repulsive mean-field, respectively, we provide theoretical and numerical evidence that the explosive NAD can be effectively destabilized, leading to the restoration of the oscillatory behavior. By utilizing Lyapunov stability, we theoretically determine the boundaries of the oscillation region recovered from NAD. For discrete delay, adjusting the magnitude of delay can result in a substantial reduction of the NAD region within the parameter space. Under a specific delay, the NAD region completely becomes an oscillation state. Moreover, in the scenario of uniformly distributed delay, the presence of delay also contributes to a decrease of the NAD area, and as the distribution width increases, the revived oscillation region gradually contracts compared to the case with discrete delay. Importantly, the results from the numerical simulations are in agreement with the theoretical analysis. Our framework establishes a theoretical foundation for comprehending the regeneration of oscillation in mean-field attractive–repulsive coupled systems.
A 3D Nonlinear Filippov System with a Symmetric Pair of T-Singularities
Authors: Peng Zhaobing , Huang Qiu , Liu Yongjian , Liu Aimin
Published: February 2025

Teixeira singularity (TS) is the transverse intersection point of invisible quadratic tangency lines in 3D piecewise-smooth systems, which significantly impacts both local and global dynamics. This paper considers the 3D nonlinear Filippov system composed of Yang system and Sprott-C system with a symmetric pair of TSs. In parameters space, this Filippov system exhibits rich bifurcation phenomena, such as the boundary equilibrium bifurcations and a symmetric pair of sliding transcritical bifurcations. By constructing the Poincaré map and analyzing the number of fixed points, we present the conditions for the existence of crossing limit cycles. Furthermore, we observe the phenomenon of compound bifurcation occurring at TS, namely the TS bifurcation. This bifurcation results from the combination of transcritical bifurcation of sliding dynamics and Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation of crossing dynamics. Finally, a new chaotic attractor, which consistently surrounds two TSs, is found through numerical analysis.
A New 2D-PECLSM Map with Hyperchaotic Properties for Image Encryption Application
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Zhang Zeyu , Wang Mingxu , Ren Na , Wang Liming , Zhang Jiao , Zhao Yue , Wang Hongjiang
Published: February 2025

This study presents 2D-PECLSM, a novel hyperchaotic map that integrates the 2D Logistic and the Sine map to enhance chaotic behavior. We propose a new image encryption algorithm (IEA) that leverages this map alongside fractal theory and global cross-coupled diffusion techniques. The 2D-PECLSM generates two essential chaotic sequences for secure encryption and based on this map associated with fractal theory processes. Each pixel of the plain image is effectively confused using a fractal matrix and globally diffused, ensuring robust protection of visual data. Experimental results demonstrate that the 2D-PECLSM-based IEA significantly outperforms the existing state-of-the-art IEAs, highlighting its potential as a powerful tool for enhancing image security against digital threats. This work contributes valuable insights to the field of cryptography, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to safeguard sensitive visual information.
Neimark–Sacker Bifurcation of Discrete Fractional Chaotic Systems
Authors: Wu Guo-Cheng , Hou Hu-Shuang , Lozi René
Published: February 2025

Fractional chaotic maps have been recently proposed to describe long-memory effects. However, their bifurcation analysis is complicated. This paper considers a linearized system and introduces necessary and sufficient conditions of Neimark–Sacker (N–S) bifurcation by complex analysis method. Both critical values of fractional order and the system’s parameters are determined when the fractional order maps undergo sudden changes. This paper provides an efficient method for the N–S bifurcation analysis of fractional discrete-time systems with time delays.
A Bi-level Alternating Meta-learning for Recurring Concept on Evolving Data Streams Instructions for Typing
Authors: Liu Jian-Wei , Zhang Si-Si , Bao Zhong-Lin
Published: February 2025

Humans’ learning involves remembering patterns of the past to better understand recurring concepts as their knowledge grows. However, a key issue that arises from these cases is that previous knowledge in deep neural networks could be gradually forgotten when they are trained for a new concept. We address this problem by learning a general representation that can remember the previous information and promote future learning. In this pursuit, a new controller is introduced by the meta-learning strategy that guides the network to keep the balance between the previously learned concepts and the new concept, hence it avoids catastrophic forgetting. Compared to previous online incremental learning for evolving data streams, our approach is dedicated to handling recurring concepts. When encountering recurring concepts, the model can remember and recall the previous knowledge and can quickly adapt to this change. In this paper, we propose a Bi-level Alternating Meta-learning approach for recurring concepts (BLAML), which emphasizes the hidden representation learning of different concepts in model-level learning, and obtains a set of shared parameters through the global meta-learning strategy. Through extensive experiments, the effectiveness of the proposed method is proved.
v-SVR with Imprecise Observations
Authors: Zhang Hao , Sheng Yuhong
Published: February 2025

Support vector regression (SVR) has been widely used in academia and industry with excellent performance. Crisp data always be trained by classic SVR and its varieties. However, classic SVR is feeble if data are imprecise or low-quality. Hence, the uncertainty theory emerged as the times require, which can process the imprecise observations well. In this study, a novel SVR model be introduced into uncertainty theory, termed v-SVR with imprecise observations, designed to handle imprecise or low-quality data. Unlike the conventional [Formula: see text]-SVR with imprecise observations approach, v-SVR offers an automated computation of the accuracy parameter [Formula: see text], thereby eliminating the need for manual selection. This results in improved performance with simplified parameter tuning. The effectiveness of the approach in this paper be demonstrated through a numerical example.
An Empirical Study of the Mediating Effect of the Adoption Level of IR4.0 technologies with MSMEs’ Performance in Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Zaidi Nurul Izzati Naqibah , Nazmudeen Mohamed Saleem , Mohiddin Fadzliwati
Published: February 2025

This paper extends previous studies on how Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Brunei Darussalam are adopting Industry 4.0 (IR4.0) technologies. In this study, we examined how two categories of IR4.0 adoption which are the Modest category and the Moderate category as mediating effects and how they can influence firm performance. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to collect data from 201 owners or managers from MSMEs. The mediating effect is examined using Smart Partial Least Square– Structural Equation Modelling (Smart PLS-SEM) to test the hypotheses. The results indicate the Modest category has no mediation effect on the firm performance while the Moderate category has a mediating effect between business financial planning and firm performance, and cost and firm performance. It also shows that between the Modest and Moderate categories, the Modest category seems to be reluctant in expanding its potential in the use of technologies due to some reasons for example knowledge, skills or financial resources. However, this research is only limited to MSMEs, it is suggested to conduct a comparison study between MSMEs and large businesses in Brunei Darussalam or an international-based study. The study between Micro, Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Medium Enterprises (MEs) will help to widen the insight into this area of study. These findings can benefit the business owners, technology experts and policymakers responsible for assisting MSMEs in adopting IR4.0 technologies.
The Road Not Taken: Evaluating the Consequences of the United States’ Nonadoption of IFRS in 2012
Authors: Jiang John X. , Koo David S. , Wang Isabel Y.
Published: February 2025

Synopsis

Research Problem

This study investigated the ramifications of the SEC’s choice not to adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2012.

Motivation

The nonadoption of IFRS by the United States in 2012 raised worries about the country’s influence on IFRS and the standards’ potential divergence from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Our analysis offers insights into the United States’ reengagement with the IFRS, the development of sustainability reporting standards, and the evolution of accounting standards.

Test Hypotheses

We hypothesize that the United States has not lost influence over IFRS, and the momentum for these standards has not waned post-2012.

Target Population

We examined countries and firms’ use of U.S. GAAP or IFRS standards, including foreign companies listed in U.S. exchanges.

Methodology

We conducted a robust review of scholarly literature, an analysis of arguments surrounding IFRS adoption in the United States, and a comparative study of IFRS and U.S. GAAP standards through 2022.

Analyses

We examined the historical attempts to integrate IFRS in the United States, market share trends of firms using IFRS, the enduring influence of the United States on IFRS standard setting, empirical evidence on eliminating the IFRS-to-U.S. GAAP reconciliation, and implications for global sustainability standards.

Findings

Our findings challenge the fear that the divergence between IFRS and U.S. GAAP has widened after 2012. IFRS market share increased from 53.3% in 2011 to 76.7% in 2022, refuting assertions of declining momentum. The U.S. influence over IFRS remains intact. The elimination of IFRS-to-U.S. GAAP reconciliation requirements shows mixed empirical effects, warranting further research on market adaptations and firm-specific outcomes in post-reconciliation environments. Our analysis supports the value of pursuing global ESG reporting standards and highlights the complex investor reactions to potential U.S. IFRS adoption.
Policy Nook — Policy Note: Tough Tradeoffs in the Colorado River Basin
Authors: Colby Bonnie , Hansen Kristiana , Sorensen Kathryn
Published: February 2025

The Colorado River Basin has been experiencing long-term drought, and forecasted increases in temperature over the coming decades will further decrease inflows. Yet the system is already over-allocated, with multiple and competing demands on the river's water from agricultural, environmental/recreational, and municipal water users, sovereign tribal nations (many of whom possess water rights that they are unable to access), and the Republic of Mexico. Easy solutions to the problem of overallocation are elusive. This overview briefly explores complex policy tradeoffs among municipal, agricultural, tribal, environmental and recreational water values, particularly as they relate to collective versus individual resilience. In addition, we highlight water justice concerns over how benefits of Colorado River water are shared among different populations and communities.
How to Generate Reader Interest in What You Write
Authors: Yaffe Philip
Published: February 2025

Each "Communication Corner" essay is self-contained; however, they build on each other. For best results, before reading this essay and doing the exercise, go to the first essay "How an Ugly Duckling Became a Swan," then read each succeeding essay.

Who has not discovered to their dismay that no one wants to read their most carefully crafted, meritorious, compelling, and passionate writings? Think of all the proposals you have written that no one was interested in. Or the web pages, the blog posts, news releases, company brochures, etc. that fell flat. Chances are, such mishaps are linked to producing texts that fail to connect with what your readers would be interested in reading.

This article was originally published by Ubiquity in 2009 as a single contribution. It is now being republished as part of Communication Corner, the author's interrelated series of essays curated to help computer professionals communicate more effectively with each other and the general public.
Review and Analysis of FPGA and ASIC Implementations of NIST Lightweight Cryptography Finalists
Authors: Konstantopoulou Evangelia , Athanasiou George , Sklavos Nicolas
Published: February 2025

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated the lightweight cryptography (LWC) competition to facilitate Internet of Things (IoT) application security. This review explores hardware implementations of the NIST LWC finalists, studying their performance. A detailed comparison of FPGA and ASIC implementations is provided, summarizing both straightforward and optimized designs. It serves as a valuable resource for engineers and researchers, aiding in the selection of algorithms tailored to specific IoT application requirements. ASCON emerges as the most balanced performer, offering excellent throughput, area efficiency, and security. Meanwhile, TinyJAMBU and Grain128-AEAD excel in constrained environments and low-latency use cases.
An Efficient and Effective Optimization Algorithm for Buffer and Splitter Insertion in AQFP Circuits
Authors: Wu Bing-Huan , Mak Wai-Kei
Published: February 2025

Adiabatic quantum-flux parametron (AQFP) is a superconducting technology with extremely low power consumption compared to traditional CMOS structures. Since AQFP logic gates are all clocked by AC current, extra buffer cells are required to balance the length of data paths. Furthermore, since the output current of an AQFP logic gate is too weak to drive more than one gate, splitter cells are needed to branch the output signals of multi-fanout gates. For an AQFP circuit, the total number of additional buffers and splitters may be much more than the number of logic gates, significantly impacting the circuit’s power, performance, and area. In this work, we propose several techniques to (i) reduce the total number of required buffers and splitters, and (ii) perturb the levels of logic gates to seek more opportunities for optimization. Experimental results show that, compared to state-of-the-art methods, our approach can obtain optimized results with less additional inserted buffers/splitters in shorter runtimes, especially in larger circuits.
DFTWS: Deterministic, Fair and Transparent Winner Selection for the Useful Work Blockchain Gophy
Authors: Hoffmann Felix
Published: February 2025

This publication presents a novel cryptographic commit scheme named DFTWS which is used to enable deterministic, fair and transparent winner selection in an open-source Proof-of-Useful-Work blockchain for High Energy Physics (HEP) called gophy [9]. In gophy, instead of spamming hashing operations to mine blocks miners are running computationally expensive Monte Carlo simulations to support a real-world HEP experiment with necessary data required to conduct the experiment. To preserve the usefulness property, block problems are defined over time by a Root Authority which is coordinated by a representative of a real-world HEP experiment. In order to be able to provide a transparent mechanism that allows for fair block winner selection from a list of eligible miners that solved a block problem, DFTWS is employed to achieve consensus between nodes. A strength of this approach is that every node is able to verify the fairness of the winner selection process. This publication provides an in-depth description and theoretical fairness analysis of DFTWS, a practical evaluation of its performance under real-world conditions and considerations of potential bottlenecks that can potentially occur as the node network scales. It also discusses a deployment strategy for using DFTWS on top of existing blockchain infrastructure like the Ethereum network. Additionally, theoretical performance aspects of DFTWS are compared with various state-of-the-art cryptographic commitment schemes and Zero Knowledge Proof systems.
Deception in HRI and its Implications: a Systematic Review
Authors: Esposito Raffaella , Rossi Alessandra , Rossi Silvia
Published: February 2025

Background.
People commonly use deception to gain advantages for themselves and their significant ones, such as with children, for educational purposes, or for protecting someone else feelings. As robots increasingly are being used in various human-centered environments, experts in robotics and social sciences are trying to adapt similar deceptive techniques to social robots, such as in assistive and service applications. However, robots’ ability to engage in deceptive behaviors presents both potential benefits and significant ethical challenges. In this work, we present a systematic review to synthesize current research on the implementation of deceptive robotic behaviors during human-robot interactions (HRI), and its effects on people.

Methods.
Adopting a comprehensive and flexible methodological approach, we systematically searched Scopus and Web of Science without restricting the publication date. The review focused on studies that explicitly examined the effects of robotic deception on human participants, covering a broad spectrum of methodologies, populations, and outcomes.

Results.
A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria, showing that robotic deception in HRI leads to diverse emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses. The findings indicate that robotic deception can have diverse impacts, ranging from eroding trust to enhancing engagement and performance under certain conditions.

Conclusions.
Our systematic review highlights the importance of careful design and management in robotic systems to harness the benefits of deception while mitigating its negative impacts on trust. We advise that future research should explore conditions under which deception may be beneficial and develop strategies to effectively manage its use in HRI.
Engineering Mice to Study Human Immunity
Authors: Sefik Esen , Xiao Tianli , Chiorazzi Michael , Odell Ian , Zhang Fengrui , Agrawal Kriti , Micevic Goran , Flavell Richard A.
Published: February 2025

Humanized mice, which carry a human hematopoietic and immune system, have greatly advanced our understanding of human immune responses and immunological diseases. These mice are created via the transplantation of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into immunocompromised murine hosts further engineered to support human hematopoiesis and immune cell growth. This article explores genetic modifications in mice that enhance xeno-tolerance, promote human hematopoiesis and immunity, and enable xenotransplantation of human tissues with resident immune cells. We also discuss genetic editing of the human immune system, provide examples of how humanized mice with humanized organs model diseases for mechanistic studies, and highlight the roles of these models in advancing knowledge of organ biology, immune responses to pathogens, and preclinical drugs tested for cancer treatment. The integration of multi-omics and state-of-the art approaches with humanized mouse models is crucial for bridging existing human data with causality and promises to significantly advance mechanistic studies.
Metabolic alterations in HSCs during aging and leukemogenesis
Authors: Chiang Yi-Hsuan , Emmrich Stephan , Vannini Nicola
Published: February 2025

Aging is a multifaceted process associated with a functional decline in cellular function over time, affecting all lifeforms. During the aging process, metabolism, a fundamental hallmark of life (1), is profoundly altered. In the context of hematopoiesis, the proper function of hematopoietic stem cells - at the apex of the blood system - is tightly linked to their energy metabolism, which in turn shapes hematopoietic output. Here, we review the latest developments in our understanding of the metabolic states and changes in aged hematopoietic stem cells, molecular players and pathways involved in aged hematopoietic stem cell metabolism, the consequences of perturbed metabolism on clonal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, and pharmacologic/ genetic strategies to reverse or rejuvenate altered metabolic phenotypes.
Table 1 from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

List of PDXs tested for Acetalax and bisacodyl responses
Supplementary Table 3 from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Table 3
Supplementary Table 1 from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Table 1
Supplementary Figure 6 from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

Scatter plots of ErSO drug activity versus acetalax activity and TRPM4 gene transcript levels.
Supplementary Figure 5 from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

Tumor mass response as compared to untreated transcript expression.
Supplementary Figure 4 from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

Scatter plots of gene transcript levels versus acetalax activity for genes from the Figure 6 multivariate analysis.
Figure 6 from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

Prediction of Acetalax and bisacodyl activity based on transcript expression in the TNBC cell lines of the GDSC. A, Schematic of the approach used to generate B and C. B, Prediction of Acetalax activity based on transcript expression. The left panel is correlation. The middle and right panels demonstrate increasing levels of prediction when including additional genes in multivariate analysis (calculated in R). C, Same as B for bisacodyl. For P value determination of the multigene panels, we used our multivariate analysis web tool (https://discover.nci.nih.gov/rsconnect/cellminercdb/) with 10× cross-validation. The drug activity and transcript (microarray) levels referred to in all panels were as measured by GDSC. The circles are cell lines. The red lines are regression lines. act, activity; exp, expression.
Figure 1 from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

TNBC cell line determination and Acetalax and bisacodyl drug characterization. A, Transcript-level scatter plot of estrogen receptor (ESR1, x-axis) vs. progesterone receptor (PGR, y-axis). B, Transcript-level scatter plot of ESR1 (right plot, x-axis) vs. ERBB2 (y-axis). For both A and B, the transcript measurements are from GDSC microarray, the circles are cell lines with red being TNBC and blue the other breast cancer cell lines. For the CDB scatter plot details, “Select Tissues\To include\Breast” was used to limit the cell lines and “Show color”\“Breast Triple negative” to make the triple negatives red. All scatter plots referring to CellMinerCDB will use the same approach with variable selection of cell line subgroups and coloring. C, Density plots of drug activity z-score comparisons in the 22 TNBC cell lines in GDSC of 58 FDA-approved drugs (gray). The mean values for several drugs used clinically for TNBC are included for reference. D, Density plots of drug activity z-score comparisons in the 22 TNBC cell lines in GDSC of Acetalax (red). E, Density plots of drug activity z-score comparisons in the 22 TNBC cell lines in GDSC of bisacodyl (blue). The x-axis for C–E is the drug activities (z-scores). The height of the bars represents the proportion of cells within the defined range of activity that is the density (y-axis). The vertical lines are the means, with two means being shown for the bimodal plots (for the resistant and sensitive groups). F, Principal component analysis of GDSC z-score drug activity for Acetalax and bisacodyl as compared with the FDA-approved drugs for all (GDSC) cell lines. The drug names in purple are currently used for treatment of TNBC. The proportion of variance explained by PC2 is 6%. G, Principal component analysis of GDSC z-score drug activity for Acetalax and bisacodyl as compared with the clinical trial drugs for all (GDSC) cell lines. For both F and G, each circle is a drug. Both plots visualize PC1 (x-axis) vs. PC3 (y-axis). The proportion of variance explained by PC2 is 7.9%. H, Hierarchical clustering of the GDSC FDA-approved drug z-score data for the TNBC cell lines using 1-Pearson correlation distance (x-axis) and average linkage. The 58 drugs plus Acetalax and bisacodyl were included. The y-axis displays the drugs, with colors corresponding to the mechanisms of action (see legend). exp, expression; PCA, principal component analysis; PC, principal component.
Data from Acetalax and Bisacodyl for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Combined Molecular and Preclinical Study
Authors: Reinhold William C. , Marangoni Elisabetta , Elloumi Fathi , Montagne Remi , Varma Sudhir , Wang Yanghsin , Rezai Keyvan , Morriset Ludivine , Dahmani Ahmed , El Botty Rania , Huguet Léa , Mizunuma Makito , Takebe Naoko , Huguet Samuel , Luna Augustin , Pommier Yves
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The recalcitrant nature of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) calls for novel treatments. Acetalax (oxyphenisatin acetate) and bisacodyl, which have been and are extensively used orally as laxatives, have recently been reported to exhibit selective antiproliferative activity when incubated with cancer cells and xenograft models. Here, we show that they are both preferentially active in TNBC cell lines, and that their activity patterns overlap across the 1,000 cell lines of the Sanger database but are unique and distinct from the standard chemotherapies. Multivariate transcriptomic analyses demonstrate that expression of the ion transporter TRPM4 and two other cell surface genes predict the activity of both drugs. In vivo testing shows that both Acetalax and bisacodyl induce complete regression of different TNBC patient-derived xenografts. Acetalax pharmacokinetics shows a 5.8-hour terminal half-life and drug penetration in TNBC tumors and brain.
Significance:
Acetalax and bisacodyl represent a prospective novel drug mechanism-of-action type, affect mitochondrial function and affect tumor growth in vivo. Their activity may be predicted by TRPM4 but with more accuracy adding other genes in multivariate analysis for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Acetalax has a biphasic mean half-life of 5.8 hours.
Impact of Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation on Oral Moisture in Older Adults with and without Xerostomia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Barikroo Ali , Falter Lauren
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a prevalent and distressing oral health condition in older adults that is associated with reduced swallow frequency, thereby increasing the risk of dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia in this cohort. This pseudo-experimental study investigated the association between transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) and changes in perceived oral moisture, as well as the function of major and minor salivary glands in two groups of older adults, including those with and without xerostomia. Methods: Ten older adults with self-reported xerostomia and 7 control participants were exposed to two conditions: no TES and motor TES. TES electrodes were placed on cheeks and submental areas, targeting the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual salivary glands. Participants watched a silent nature movie while receiving continuous TES (only for active TES condition) for 15 min while swallowing sounds were recorded using a microphone attached under the cricoid cartilage. Changes in key outcome measures, including perceived oral moisture (measured by a visual analog scale) along with major and minor salivary glands function (measured by stimulated swallow frequency rate and Periotron) were assessed in response to TES. Results: The findings indicated that TES increased stimulated swallow frequency rate in both groups (F(1,13) = 9.813, p < 0.008, ηp2 = 0.430). Additionally, the perceived oral moisture measures were only improved for patients with xerostomia (F(1,13) = 5.155, p < 0.041, ηp2 = 0.284). However, no significant changes were noted in minor salivary gland flow rate measures. Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest an association between TES and increased objective major salivary gland function in both groups and perceived oral moisture in patients with xerostomia. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of this study, further research involving larger cohorts and controlled designs, and follow up is necessary to understand the mechanisms and potential therapeutic effects of TES on xerostomia.
СУБКЛІНІЧНИЙ ДЕФІЦИТ КАЛЬЦІЮ В ДІТЕЙ МОЛОДШОГО ШКІЛЬНОГО ВІКУ
Authors: Щурко М. М. , Любінець Л. А. , Сопнєва Н. Б. , Кузик І. Я. , Двулят-Лешневська І. С.
Published: February 2025

Вступ. Раціональне харчування (РХ), яке забезпечує організм усіма необхідними нутрієнтами, є важливим чинником для розвитку дітей і формування їхнього здоров’я. Натепер приблизно 3 мільярди людей у світі, або майже половина населення планети, страждають від дисбалансу в харчуванні – як від надмірного, так і від недостатнього. Неочікувано для науковців і лікарів, навіть у періоди відносного благополуччя, виявлено брак мінералів і вітамінів у раціоні людей. Відомо, що, окрім підтримки балансу обмінних процесів в організмі, належне забезпечення потреби у вітамінах та мінералах сприяє зниженню ризику розвитку деяких захворювань. Мета дослідження – оцінити рівень кальцію у крові дітей молодшого шкільного віку. Підвищити ефективність діагностики та своєчасної корекції субклінічного дефіциту кальцію в дітей молодшого шкільного віку. Методи дослідження. Обстежено 60 школярів, яким було проведено анкетування, яке допомогло оцінити харчову поведінку та харчові звички школярів молодшої школи. Зокрема, з них 20 дітей, які вживають молочні продукти двічі на тиждень, інші 20 – уживають украй рідко, та 20 – контрольна група (у яких є збалансоване харчування). Середній вік пацієнтів становить 10 ± 3 роки. Оцінювали харчовий раціон за допомогою комп’ютерної програми “Dietplan7”, біохімічні дослідження для визначення загального кальцію, іонізованого кальцію проводили після надання батьками дітей інформативної згоди на інвазивне втручання. Результати й обговорення. Згідно з результатами досліджень рівень кальцію в сироватці крові пацієнтів 1-ї групи ((2,3 ± 0,46) ммоль/л) в 1,09 раза був нижче контрольної групи ((2,5 ± 0,12) ммоль/л (р < 0,05)). Середня його концентрація в сироватці крові пацієнтів 2-ї групи становила (2,1 ± 0,47) ммоль/л, що в 1,2 раза менше за контрольне значення (рис. 1). Отримані результати досліджень рівня іонізованого кальцію в сироватці крові пацієнтів 1-ї групи ((1,18 ± 056) ммоль/л) в 1,02 раза нижче контрольної групи ((1,2 ± 0,34) ммоль/л (р < 0,05)). Середня його концентрація в сироватці крові пацієнтів 2-ї групи становила (1,13 ± 0,24) ммоль/л, що в 1,06 раза менше за контрольне значення. Висновки. Отже, споживання кальцію в дитячому та підлітковому віці має вирішальне значення, оскільки адекватне надходження цього елемента в даний період життєвого циклу сприяє формуванню позитивного кальцієвого балансу, оптимальної щільності кісток, необхідної для зміцнення скелета, а також знижує ризик переломів і остеопорозу в майбутньому.
Filling gaps: pentatomids (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) from Boraceia Biological Station (São Paulo, Brazil) with a preliminary checklist for the Atlantic Rain Forest
Authors: Roell Talita , López Guilherme Enrique Luisi , Schwertner Cristiano Feldens
Published: February 2025

The Boraceia Biological Station (BBS) is located in the Salesópolis municipality, State of São Paulo, and represents an important natural protected area of the Atlantic Rain Forest in one of Brazil’s most urbanized states. In this work, an inventory for the BBS was compiled, using specimens deposited in the Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo and through consultation of bibliography. We list 36 species of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) collected over 80 years. Six species were recorded for the first time in the State of São Paulo. The inventory represents the first one comparing the diversity of species from BBS with the recorded diversity of the Atlantic Rain Forest. We also present a preliminary checklist of pentatomids of the Atlantic Rain Forest and highlight the importance of preserving natural areas in the Atlantic Rain Forest.
Individual patterns of functional connectivity in neonates as revealed by surface-based Bayesian modeling
Authors: Derman Diego , Pham Damon D. , Mejia Amanda F. , Ferradal Silvina L.
Published: February 2025

Resting-state functional connectivity is a widely used approach to study the functional brain network organization during early brain development. However, the estimation of functional connectivity networks in individual infants has been rather elusive due to the unique challenges involved with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from young populations. Here, we use fMRI data from the developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) database to characterize individual variability in a large cohort of term-born infants (N = 289) using a novel data-driven Bayesian framework. To enhance alignment across individuals, the analysis was conducted exclusively on the cortical surface, employing surface-based registration guided by age-matched neonatal atlases. Using 10 minutes of resting-state fMRI data, we successfully estimated subject-level maps for eight brain networks along with individual functional parcellation maps that revealed differences between subjects. We also found a significant relationship between age and mean connectivity strength in all brain regions, including previously unreported findings in higher-order networks. These results illustrate the advantages of surface-based methods and Bayesian statistical approaches in uncovering individual variability within very young populations.
Hidden in the Margins: Contesting Legal Authority in Marginal Hadith Glosses
Authors: Zaman Muntasir
Published: February 2025

In the twentieth century, India witnessed a significant and ambitious scholarly output in the genre of hadith commentary, with multivolume compendia like Khalīl Aḥmad Sahāranpūrī’s (d. 1927) Badhl al-majhūd and ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Mubārakpūrī’s (d. 1935) Tuḥfat al-aḥwadhī. While there is new scholarly interest in hadith commentary, the focus has been on sustained modern commentaries like the aforementioned compendia or on premodern commentaries like those of the Mamluk-era hadith commentators. However, there is a substantial yet overlooked body of work between these two periods: nineteenth century marginal glosses on lithographed hadith literature. In this essay, I explore the impact of these marginal glosses on the competition over scholarly authority in the region. Among other things, these marginalia served as subtle yet crucial guides for readers within the madrasa network, particularly at a time when the advent of print technology intersected with intra-Muslim legal debates among the Ahl-i Ḥadīth and the Ḥanafīs. These marginalia are an ideal site to examine the divergent views of both groups, as they occupy the margins of the very hadith collections that shaped the former and conflicted with the legal practices of the latter.
Routed Through Vancouver: The Global/Local Art of Queer Film Festival Programming
Authors: Leung Helen Hok-Sze
Published: February 2025

This article documents and analyzes the programming practice of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, specifically its focus on youth, Asia, and Indigenous voices, during the last two decades. The case study examines how a queer film festival negotiates participation in a global queer film circuit with its simultaneous commitment to local communities and histories. It explores how the festival environment fosters conditions for queer cinema to create place-specific meanings along the routes it travels in the world. Its conclusion considers the challenges and possibilities place-based queer film festivals face in the post-pandemic future.
3. The genome
Authors: Seshasayee Aswin Sai Narain
Published: February 2025

The first bacterial genomes were sequenced in the mid-1990s. The first few bacterial genomes led to research attempting to find the minimal genetic requirement of cellular life. Several pared-down bacterial genomes, belonging to endosymbionts of insects, were discovered and characterized. It became clear that bacterial genomes differed from the genomes of higher eukaryotes in supporting very high gene densities. The genomes of higher eukaryotes often carry large chunks of ‘junk’ DNA, a phenomenon attributed to their relatively small population sizes which render selection against non-functional but metabolically expensive DNA weak.
4. The ebb and flow of bacterial genomes
Authors: Seshasayee Aswin Sai Narain
Published: February 2025

The evolution of bacterial genomes is driven by gene loss, as represented by the genomes of endosymbionts and various other lineages. This is compensated in many genomes by gene gain by horizontal gene transfer, the phenomenon by which bacteria gain chunks of DNA and new functions, not from their parents, but from other species. These processes occur over processes of mutation, which can often be non-random in type, rates and location on genomes, together shaping genomes under the influence of selection.
Cross-national variation in how members of the community define flourishing mental health
Authors: Burns Richard Andrew , Sargent Kerry , Crisp Dimity Ann
Published: February 2025

Background:

The experience of flourishing (i.e. high wellbeing) is informing our understanding of psychological health beyond psychopathology.

Aims:

This study examines whether community members define their sense of flourishing in terms of the presence of wellbeing and/or the absence of psychopathology.

Methods:

Participants ( n = 1,094) were stratified by sex and age (18–39 years, 40–59 years and 60 years+), resided in Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Africa and Malaysia. Participants were presented with 12 items from the European Social Survey Wellbeing Module and 9 symptoms from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder; mental health items were rephrased to reflect an absence of psychopathology. Respondents selected and ranked the five statements that best reflected their sense of flourishing.

Results:

Wellbeing statements were the most frequently endorsed items for example, ‘Feeling calm and peaceful’, ‘Life is valuable and worthwhile’, ‘Having people who care’ and ‘Feeling positive about oneself’, but they were only endorsed by approximately 35% to 38% of respondents. Three pathology items were amongst the top 10 items endorsed.

Conclusions:

That not one indicator was endorsed by the majority of respondents suggests that flourishing definitions of positive mental health need to be defined by both the presence of wellbeing and absence of psychopathology. Notably, there were few between-nation differences in items endorsed, and those differences reported were not of a large magnitude suggesting consistency in the endorsement of indicators between nations.
Financialization beyond partnerships: Real estate investment trusts in elderly care
Authors: Demuynck Simon , Van Dooren Wouter
Published: February 2025

The financial services sector plays an increasing role in the public management of social services. Yet, in contrast to well-studied arrangements such as public–private partnerships and social impact bonds, the ways in which the public sector drives financialization beyond these partnerships remain underexplored. We study the involvement of the financial industry in providing real estate for public services. Our case involves real estate investment trust (REIT) engagement with elderly care in Flanders, Belgium. We analyzed 68 annual reports by REITs and conducted 43 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. We show that the participation of REITs in social services is increasing significantly. Public governance mechanisms are fueling this form of financialization rather than slowing it down. The result is a form of state-led financialization with little critical scrutiny.

Points for practitioners As aging populations increase demand for elderly care services and government budgets remain tight, practitioners will face critical decisions about financing and service provision. Public sector managers should recognize the growing role of financial actors, such as REITs, in social services and the influence public sector (in)action can have in driving this shift.
Argentina's Dictatorship and the Post-Dictatorial Policies of Transitional Justice: The Looking Glass of El Diario del Juicio
Authors: Roniger Luis
Published: February 2025

This article aims to assess the impact of the 1976–83 dictatorship on the lifeworld of Argentine citizens, as reflected in testimonies and allegations during the oral phase of the 1985 trial of the military commanders responsible for masterminding policies of massive detention, torture and loss of life of thousands in Argentina. The text addresses the sequence of democratic breakdown, military rule, regime collapse and the transition to democracy, with a focus on one of the initial policies of post-transitional justice reported in El Diario del Juicio, a publication selling 250,000 weekly copies between May 1985 and January 1986. After years in which the public order imposed by the military government had been welcomed, tolerated, or ignored by majoritarian sectors, the testimonies and statements at the trial of the armed forces commanders certified the extent of abusive repression and allowed assessing the shifts many citizens experienced in their lifeworld and belated awakening from the narrative of the military government. In spite of the early closure of that initial stage of post-dictatorial justice, the trial managed to project the discourse of human rights onto the center of the public agenda in the transition to democracy.
The use of performance-based outcomes in achieving better global harmonisation in the care and use of animals in research
Authors: Rowlands Dewi K , Guillén Javier
Published: February 2025

Animal research remains a crucial component in our efforts to enhance both human and animal health. To better ensure research reproducibility and welfare of animals in research, harmonisation must be improved globally. This review explores the current state of harmonisation in animal research and the associated challenges, along with the roles of existing animal welfare principles, legislative guidelines, codes of practice, international and national organizations, and professional bodies in facilitating harmonisation. We discuss the current obstacles to harmonisation and suggest a performance-based solution. Examples of attainable performance-based outcomes are examined, encompassing areas such as ethical review and oversight, animal housing, environment, training, veterinary care, experimental design and reporting, and openness/transparency in research. In conclusion, the establishment of harmonised performance standards and the promotion of performance-based outcomes hold the potential to significantly improve global animal welfare in research and contribute to scientific advancement.
Class Mistreatment in Elite Settings: Upward Mobility and Cross-class Interactions
Authors: Fercovic Malik
Published: February 2025

Sociological research demonstrates the persistent lack of sociocultural fit the upwardly mobile face within elite settings and how this negatively affects them in numerous outcomes. By contrast, how class mistreatment is (re)produced in routine cross-class interactions within elite settings has received far less empirical attention. Building on 60 interviews, in this article I study how the upwardly mobile experience class mistreatment at selective universities and professional workplaces in Chile. Findings substantiate the continuity of class mistreatment the upwardly mobile face in such elite settings, including various and repeated forms of discrimination and stigmatisation. Findings also show that such class mistreatment is strongly inflected by gender and ethnicity, and plays a key role in shaping the lack of fit the upwardly mobile confront in those elite settings.