bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Event‐triggered control for stochastic interconnected nonlinear systems with unknown control directions
Authors: Hua Changchun , Wang Qiaona , Ning Pengju
Published: November 2023

This paper presents an event‐triggered control strategy for stochastic interconnected nonlinear systems with unknown control directions. Firstly, a new lemma is proposed for stochastic nonlinear systems with multiple time‐varying unknown control directions, which guarantees the boundedness of Nussbaum function parameter variables. Different from the existing results, each subsystem is allowed to have multiple time‐varying unknown control directions. Then, by using the backstepping method, a novel controller is proposed based on the relative threshold event‐triggered strategy. The controller not only reduces the communication burden but also eliminates the interference of unknown control directions. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, it is proved that the controller can make all signals in the closed‐loop system be bounded in probability and the system state variables converge to zero in probability. Finally, two simulation examples are presented to certify the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.
Note on down‐set thresholds
Authors: Warnke Lutz
Published: November 2023

Gunby–He–Narayanan showed that the logarithmic gap predictions of Kahn–Kalai and Talagrand (proved by Park–Pham and Frankston–Kahn–Narayanan–Park) about thresholds of up‐sets do not apply to down‐sets. In particular, for the down‐set of triangle‐free graphs, they showed that there is a polynomial gap between the threshold and the factional expectation threshold. In this short note we give a simpler proof of this result, and extend the polynomial threshold gap to down‐sets of ‐free graphs.
Recognition of C4 Olefins by an Ultramicroporous ftw‐Type Yttrium‐Based Metal–Organic Framework with Distorted Cages
Authors: Tu Shi , Yao Jinze , Zhao Siyao , Lin Danxia , Yu Liang , Zhou Xin , Wang Hao , Wu Ying , Xia Qibin
Published: November 2023

Developing porous adsorbents for efficient separation of C4 olefins is significant but challenging in the petrochemical industry due to their similar molecular sizes and physical properties. The separation efficiency is often limited when separating C4 olefins by a single separation mechanism. Herein, an ultramicroporous yttrium‐based MOF, Y‐dbai, is reported featuring cage‐like pores connected by small windows, for recognition and efficient separation of C4 olefins through a synergistic effect of thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms. At 298 K and 1 bar, the adsorption capacities of Y‐dbai for C4H6, 1‐C4H8, and i‐C4H8 are 2.88, 1.07, and 0.14 mmol g−1, respectively, indicating a molecular sieving effect toward i‐C4H8. The C4H6/i‐C4H8 and 1‐C4H8/i‐C4H8 uptake selectivities of Y‐dbai are 20.6 and 7.6, respectively, outperforming most of the reported adsorbents. The static and kinetic adsorption experiments coupled with DFT calculations indicate the separation should be attributed to a combined effect of thermodynamically and kinetically controlled mechanism. Breakthrough experiments have confirmed the excellent separation capability of Y‐dbai toward C4H6/1‐C4H8, C4H6/i‐C4H8, and C4H6/1‐C4H8/i‐C4H8 mixtures.
Highly Luminescent Chiral Carbon Nanohoops via Symmetry Breaking with a Triptycene Unit: Bright Circularly Polarized Luminescence and Size‐Dependent Properties
Authors: Guo Shengzhu , Liu Lin , Li Xiaonan , Liu Guoqin , Fan Yanqing , He Jing , Lian Zhe , Yang Huiji , Chen Xuebo , Jiang Hua
Published: November 2023

Chiral carbon nanohoops with both high fluorescence quantum yield and large luminescence dissymmetry factor are essential to the development of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials. Herein, the rational design and synthesis of a series of highly fluorescent chiral carbon nanohoops TP‐[8–13]CPPs via symmetry breaking with a chiral triptycene motif is reported. Theoretical calculations revealed that breaking the symmetry of nanohoops causes a unique size‐dependent localization in the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) and the lowest unoccupied molecular obtitals (LUMOs) as the increasing of sizes, which is sharply different from those of [n]cycloparaphenylenes. Photophysical investigations demonstrated that TP‐[n]CPPs display size‐dependent emissions with high fluorescence quantum yields up to 92.9% for TP‐[13]CPP, which is the highest value among the reported chiral conjugated carbon nanohoops. The high fluorescence quantum yields are presumably attributed to both the unique acyclic, and radial conjugations and high radiative transition rates, which are further supported by theoretical investigations. Chiroptical studies revealed that chiral TP‐[n]CPPs exhibit bright CPL with CPL brightness up to 100.5 M−1 cm−1 for TP‐[11]CPP due to the high fluorescence quantum yield. Importantly, the investigations revealed the intrigued size‐dependent properties of TP‐[n]CPPs with regards to (chir)optical properties, which follow a nice linear relationship versus 1/n. Such a nice linear relationship is not observed in other reported conjugated nanohoops including CPPs.
Genomic and phenotypic characterization of finger millet indicates a complex diversification history
Authors: Bančič Jon , Odeny Damaris A. , Ojulong Henry F. , Josiah Samuel M. , Buntjer Jaap , Gaynor R. Chris , Hoad Stephen P. , Gorjanc Gregor , Dawson Ian K.
Published: November 2023

Advances in sequencing technologies mean that insights into crop diversification can now be explored in crops beyond major staples. We use a genome assembly of finger millet, an allotetraploid orphan crop, to analyze DArTseq single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the whole and sub‐genome level. A set of 8778 SNPs and 13 agronomic traits was used to characterize a diverse panel of 423 landraces from Africa and Asia. Through principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis of principal components, four distinct groups of accessions were identified that coincided with the primary geographic regions of finger millet cultivation. Notably, East Africa, presumed to be the crop's origin, exhibited the lowest genetic diversity. The PCA of phenotypic data also revealed geographic differentiation, albeit with differing relationships among geographic areas than indicated with genomic data. Further exploration of the sub‐genomes A and B using neighbor‐joining trees revealed distinct features that provide supporting evidence for the complex evolutionary history of finger millet. Although genome‐wide association study found only a limited number of significant marker‐trait associations, a clustering approach based on the distribution of marker effects obtained from a ridge regression genomic model was employed to investigate trait complexity. This analysis uncovered two distinct clusters. Overall, the findings suggest that finger millet has undergone complex and context‐specific diversification, indicative of a lengthy domestication history. These analyses provide insights for the future development of finger millet.
Electroweak corrections to Higgs boson decays in a Complex Singlet extension of the SM and their phenomenological impact
Authors: Egle Felix , Mühlleitner Margarete , Santos Rui , Viana João
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The complex singlet extension CxSM of the Standard Model (SM) is a simple extension of the SM with two visible Higgs bosons in the spectrum and a Dark Matter (DM) candidate. In this paper we complete the computation of the next-to-leading (NLO) electroweak (EW) corrections to on-shell and non-loop-induced Higgs decays. Our calculations are implemented in the code EWsHDECAY which also includes the relevant QCD corrections. Performing an extensive parameter scan in the model and including all relevant theoretical and experimental single- and di-Higgs as well as DM constraints, we obtain a viable parameter sample. We find that current DM constraints are able to test the model in DM mass regions where collider searches are not sensitive. The relative EW corrections turn out to be large for scenarios with relatively large couplings, threshold effects or small leading-order (LO) widths. Otherwise, they are of typical EW size and can amount up to about 20–25%. The theory uncertainty derived from the change of the renormalization scheme dependence then is of a few per cent. While the NLO corrections applied in the constraints due to single- and di-Higgs searches impact the validity of specific parameter points, the overall shape of the allowed parameter region is not yet sensitive to the EW corrections. This picture will change with further increased experimental precision in the future and necessitates precise predictions on the theory side as presented in this paper.
Energy correlations in heavy states
Authors: Chicherin Dmitry , Korchemsky Gregory P. , Sokatchev Emery , Zhiboedov Alexander
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We study energy correlations in states created by a heavy operator acting on the vacuum in a conformal field theory. We argue that the energy correlations in such states exhibit two characteristic regimes as functions of the angular separations between the calorimeters: power-like growth at small angles described by the light-ray OPE and slowly varying, or “flat”, function at larger angles. The transition between the two regimes is controlled by the scaling dimension of the heavy operator and the dynamics of the theory. We analyze this phenomenon in detail in the planar $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory both at weak and strong coupling. An analogous transition was previously observed in QCD in the measurement of the angular energy distribution of particles belonging to the same energetic jet. In that case it corresponds to the transition from the light-ray OPE, perturbative regime described in terms of correlations between quarks and gluons to the flat, non-perturbative regime described in terms of correlations between hadrons.
Anisotropic compactification of nonrelativistic M-theory
Authors: Ebert Stephen , Yan Ziqi
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We study a decoupling limit of M-theory where the three-form gauge potential becomes critical. This limit leads to nonrelativistic M-theory coupled to a non-Lorentzian spacetime geometry. Nonrelativistic M-theory is U-dual to M-theory in the discrete light cone quantization, a non-perturbative approach related to the Matrix theory description of M-theory. We focus on the compactification of nonrelativistic M-theory over a two-torus that exhibits anisotropic behaviors due to the foliation structure of the spacetime geometry. We develop a frame covariant formalism of the toroidal geometry, which provides a geometrical interpretation of the recently discovered polynomial realization of SL(2 , ℤ) duality in nonrelativistic type IIB superstring theory. We will show that the nonrelativistic IIB string background fields transform as polynomials of an effective Galilean “boost velocity” on the two-torus. As an application, we construct an action principle describing a single M5-brane in nonrelativistic M-theory and study its compactification over the anisotropic two-torus. This procedure leads to a D3-brane action in nonrelativistic IIB string theory that makes the SL(2 , ℤ) invariance manifest in the polynomial realization.
Gravitating anisotropic merons and squashed spheres in the three-dimensional Einstein-Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory
Authors: Canfora Fabrizio , Corral Cristóbal
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We construct the first analytic examples of self-gravitating anisotropic merons in the Einstein-Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory in three dimensions. The gauge field configurations have different meronic parameters along the three Maurer-Cartan 1-forms and they are topologically nontrivial as the Chern-Simons invariant is nonzero. The corresponding backreacted metric is conformally a squashed three-sphere. The amount of squashing is related to the degree of anisotropy of the gauge field configurations that we compute explicitly in different limits of the squashing parameter. Moreover, the spectrum of the Dirac operator on this background is obtained explicitly for spin-1/2 spinors in the fundamental representation of SU(2), and the genuine non-Abelian contributions to the spectrum are identified. The physical consequences of these results are discussed.
Trustworthy AI: AI made in Germany and Europe?
Authors: Hirsch-Kreinsen Hartmut , Krokowski Thorben
Published: November 2023

As the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) continue to expand, concerns are also growing about the ethical and social consequences of unregulated development and, above all, use of AI systems in a wide range of social areas. It is therefore indisputable that the application of AI requires social standardization and regulation. For years, innovation policy measures and the most diverse activities of European and German institutions have been directed toward this goal. Under the label “Trustworthy AI” (TAI), a promise is formulated, according to which AI can meet criteria of transparency, legality, privacy, non-discrimination, and reliability. In this article, we ask what significance and scope the politically initiated concepts of TAI occupy in the current process of AI dynamics and to what extent they can stand for an independent, unique European or German development path of this technology.
Dimensional deviations in Ti-6Al-4V discs produced with different process parameters during selective laser melting
Authors: Pal Snehashis , Milković Marijana , Ramadani Riad , Gotlih Janez , Gubeljak Nenad , Hudák Radovan , Drstvenšek Igor , Finšgar Matjaž , Brajlih Tomaž
Published: November 2023

When manufacturing complicated products where both material and design play a role, especially thin and curved components, it is difficult to maintain accurate dimensions in Selective Laser Melting. Considering these difficulties, this article presents the dimensional errors in the fabrication of Ti-6Al-4V discs and their thermomechanics during manufacturing. Various combinations of laser processing parameters were used to fabricate the 2.00 mm thick discs with a diameter of 5.70 mm. It was found that the thickness shortened and the round shape changed to an oval shape for most of the discs. The thickness decreased along the build-up direction from the bottom to the top and formed a taper that increased with increasing energy density (ED). The horizontal diameter of the discs changed slightly, while the vertical diameters changed remarkably with increasing ED. On the other hand, reducing the laser power resulted in a reduction of the roundness error, while it caused a reduction of the thickness. The hatch spacing significantly affected the volume of the melt pool and caused a change in the vertical diameter. The central part of the curved surface of the discs became concave and the concavity increased due to the increasing ED.
Predation of sea turtle eggs by rats and crabs
Authors: Stokes Holly J. , Esteban Nicole , Hays Graeme C.
Published: November 2023

Egg predation by invasive and native species may have severe impacts on endangered species and negatively affect species recovery. We assessed the levels of egg predation within green turtle (Chelonia mydas) clutches on the island of Diego Garcia (7.42°S, 72.45°E), Chagos Archipelago (Indian Ocean). Native coconut crabs (Birgus latro) and ghost crabs (Ocypode spp.), as well as introduced black rats (Rattus rattus), were predators of eggs, with these species entering nests via tunnels dug obliquely in the sand. Often whole eggs were removed from clutches. For example, the mean clutch size at oviposition (mean 127.8 eggs, n = 23, range = 74–176) was significantly larger than at the end of incubation (mean 110.9 hatched and unhatched eggs, n = 16, range = 9–147). In other cases, egg predation was recorded where the egg had been opened and contents were eaten in the nest. Overall, hatching success (the percentage of eggs laid leading to a hatchling emerging from the egg) was 64.9%, while 3.1% of eggs were predated within nests, 18.1% died during incubation without predation and 13.9% were removed. We reviewed evidence from 34 sites around the world identifying 36 predators that were either native (e.g., crabs, and goannas, n = 30) or invasive (e.g., rats, and pigs, n = 8). Depending on location, a predator could be identified as both native and invasive (e.g., dogs). We discuss how either nest protection and/or invasive predator eradication may be used to increase egg survival and when these approaches might be used.
Deep learning reconstruction for improving the visualization of acute brain infarct on computed tomography
Authors: Okimoto Naomasa , Yasaka Koichiro , Fujita Nana , Watanabe Yusuke , Kanzawa Jun , Abe Osamu
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the impact of deep learning reconstruction (DLR) on acute infarct depiction compared with hybrid iterative reconstruction (Hybrid IR).

Methods

This retrospective study included 29 (75.8 ± 13.2 years, 20 males) and 26 (64.4 ± 12.4 years, 18 males) patients with and without acute infarction, respectively. Unenhanced head CT images were reconstructed with DLR and Hybrid IR. In qualitative analyses, three readers evaluated the conspicuity of lesions based on five regions and image quality. A radiologist placed regions of interest on the lateral ventricle, putamen, and white matter in quantitative analyses, and the standard deviation of CT attenuation (i.e., quantitative image noise) was recorded.

Results

Conspicuity of acute infarct in DLR was superior to that in Hybrid IR, and a statistically significant difference was observed for two readers (p ≤ 0.038). Conspicuity of acute infarct with time from onset to CT imaging at < 24 h in DLR was significantly improved compared with Hybrid IR for all readers (p ≤ 0.020). Image noise in DLR was significantly reduced compared with Hybrid IR with both the qualitative and quantitative analyses (p < 0.001 for all).

Conclusion

DLR in head CT helped improve acute infarct depiction, especially those with time from onset to CT imaging at < 24 h.
Effect modification of tumor necrosis factor-α on the kynurenine and serotonin pathways in major depressive disorder on type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Okamoto Naomichi , Hoshikawa Takashi , Honma Yuichi , Chibaatar Enkhmurun , Ikenouchi Atsuko , Harada Masaru , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: November 2023

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The kynurenine and serotonin pathways, as well as chronic low-grade inflammation, are being considered potential links between them. MDD associated with T2DM is less responsive to treatment than that without T2DM; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of inflammatory cytokines on the kynurenine and serotonin pathways in patients with comorbid MDD and T2DM and those with only MDD. We recruited 13 patients with comorbid MDD and T2DM and 27 patients with only MDD. We measured interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels as inflammatory cytokines and metabolites of the kynurenine pathway and examined the relationship between the two. TNF-α levels were significantly higher in patients with comorbid MDD and T2DM than in those with only MDD in univariate (p = 0.044) and multivariate (adjusted p = 0.036) analyses. TNF-α showed a statistically significant effect modification (interaction) with quinolinic acid/tryptophan and serotonin in patients from both groups (β = 1.029, adjusted p < 0.001; β =  − 1.444, adjusted p = 0.047, respectively). Limitations attributed to the study design and number of samples may be present. All patients were Japanese with mild to moderate MDD; therefore, the generalizability of our findings may be limited. MDD with T2DM has more inflammatory depression components and activations of the kynurenine pathway by inflammatory cytokines than MDD without T2DM. Hence, administering antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs in combination may be more effective in patients with comorbid MDD and T2DM.
Modeling and enforcing access control policies in conversational user interfaces
Authors: Planas Elena , Martínez Salvador , Brambilla Marco , Cabot Jordi
Published: November 2023

Conversational user interfaces (CUIs), such as chatbots, are becoming a common component of many software systems. Although they are evolving in many directions (such as advanced language processing features, thanks to new AI-based developments), less attention has been paid to access control and other security concerns associated with CUIs, which may pose a clear risk to the systems they interface with. In this paper, we apply model-driven techniques to model and enforce access-control policies in CUIs. In particular, we present a fully fledged framework to integrate the role-based access-control (RBAC) protocol into CUIs by: (1) modeling a set of access-control rules to specify permissions over the bot resources using a domain-specific language that tailors core RBAC concepts to the CUI domain; and (2) describing a mechanism to show the feasibility of automatically generating the infrastructure to evaluate and enforce the modeled access control policies at runtime.
Effect of Membrane Permeance and System Parameters on the Removal of Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins in Hemodialysis
Authors: Chow Chun Man , Persad Aaron H. , Karnik Rohit
Published: November 2023

Inadequate clearance of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) during dialysis is associated with morbidities in chronic kidney disease patients. The development of high-permeance membranes made from materials such as graphene raises the question whether they could enable the design of dialyzers with improved PBUT clearance. Here, we develop device-level and multi-compartment (body) system-level models that account for PBUT-albumin binding (specifically indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate) and diffusive and convective transport of toxins to investigate how the overall membrane permeance (or area) and system parameters including flow rates and ultrafiltration affect PBUT clearance in hemodialysis. Our simulation results indicate that, in contrast to urea clearance, PBUT clearance in current dialyzers is mass-transfer limited: Assuming that the membrane resistance is dominant, raising PBUT permeance from 3 × 10−6 to 10−5 m s−1 (or equivalently, 3.3 × increase in membrane area from ~ 2 to ~ 6 m2) increases PBUT removal by 48% (from 22 to 33%, i.e., ~ 0.15 to ~ 0.22 g per session), whereas increasing dialysate flow rates or adding adsorptive species have no substantial impact on PBUT removal unless permeance is above ~ 10−5 m s−1. Our results guide the future development of membranes, dialyzers, and operational parameters that could enhance PBUT clearance and improve patient outcomes.
The Recreational Value of the Baltic Sea Coast: A Spatially Explicit Site Choice Model Accounting for Environmental Conditions
Authors: Czajkowski Mikołaj , Budziński Wiktor , Zandersen Marianne , Zawadzki Wojciech , Aslam Uzma , Angelidis Ioannis , Zagórska Katarzyna
Published: November 2023

The coast plays a significant recreational role in the nine countries around the Baltic Sea. More than 70% of the population of these countries visit the coast, representing some 80 million recreational visits annually. Understanding the values associated with coastal recreation, and the potential welfare changes resulting from improvements in the state of environmental and infrastructure conditions of the Baltic Sea coast is important for marine environment management in the region. We estimate a spatially explicit travel cost model for Baltic coast recreation to assess the welfare of accessing individual sites, identify recreational hot spots and simulate the welfare changes resulting from improvements in environmental and infrastructure conditions. The total benefits associated with Baltic Sea coast-based recreation amount to 27.5 billion EUR per year with significant variation across sites. Improving water quality and infrastructure boost the recreational value by nearly 6.2 billion EUR, an increase of about a fifth of the existing recreational benefits.
Efficiency of emergency conservation methods: a case study of the alcon blue butterfly (Phengaris alcon) and its specific parasitoid
Authors: Sielezniew Izabela , Sielezniew Marcin
Published: November 2023

A complicated life history and specific habitat requirements make the Alcon blue butterfly Phengaris alcon a very sensitive species to land-use change. Eggs are oviposited on some Gentiana and Gentianella plants, in whose flowerheads larvae initially feed, after which they continue their development as social parasites in the nests of specific Myrmica ants, once they have been adopted by workers. One of the main threats to their existence is mowing at a time when most individuals are still on gentians. In our research, we tested an emergency conservation method on a site of the butterfly subjected to this kind of pressure in the Białowieża Forest (NE Poland). Previous studies showed that the focal population (dependent on Gentiana pneumonanthe and Myrmica scabrinodis) was characterized by an extremely high density of adults as well as of Ichneumon eumerus, i.e. the rare and specific parasitoid of P. alcon. In mid-August 2020 we performed an unplanned experiment to save caterpillars present in freshly cut plants. We selected about 1800 shoots bearing the eggs or egg shells of the butterfly. Seven hundred and fifty preadoption larvae were transported to the site and placed close to the nests of host ants located in patches without G. pneumonanthe. In the following season we observed that the P. alcon infestation rate of experimental colonies was similar to a control patch, and proportions of parasited pupae did not differ, either.

Implications for conservation. Our experiment proved that such actions can be highly effective as emergency conservation methods, and possibly also in (re)introductions of P. alcon.
The Too-Much-Mimicry Effect: Strong (vs. Subtle) Mimicry Impairs Liking and Trust in Distributive Negotiations
Authors: Wessler Janet , Loschelder David D. , Fendel Johannes C. , Friese Malte
Published: November 2023

We examined whether mimicking an interaction partner is universally advantageous or, provided the mimicry is particularly strong, whether it has detrimental impacts on interpersonal and negotiation outcomes. Participants interacted with a confederate who engaged in no, subtle, or strong mimicry and then negotiated. In laboratory Experiment 1 (N = 71) and Experiment 2 (N = 149), subtly (vs. not) mimicked participants liked the confederate more, while strongly (vs. subtly) mimicked participants liked and trusted less. In Experiment 2, strongly (vs. subtly) mimicked participants were less susceptible to the first-offer anchor. The online Experiment 3 (N = 180) corroborated the too-much-mimicry effect: When participants became aware of mimicry, it exerted detrimental effects on liking and trust irrespective of the experimental condition. Experiment 1 and Experiment 3 found no too-much-mimicry effect on anchoring susceptibility. These findings show that (a) sufficiently subtle mimicry positively influences interpersonal outcomes and (b) too much mimicry backfires.
The Dimension of Divisibility Orders and Multiset Posets
Authors: Haiman Milan
Published: November 2023

The Dushnik–Miller dimension of a poset P is the least d for which P can be embedded into a product of d chains. Lewis and Souza isibility order on the interval of integers $$[N/\kappa , N]$$

[
N
/
κ
,
N
]

is bounded above by $$\kappa (\log \kappa )^{1+o(1)}$$

κ

(
log
κ
)

1
+
o
(
1
)

and below by $$\Omega ((\log \kappa /\log \log \kappa )^2)$$

Ω
(

(
log
κ
/
log
log
κ
)

2

)

. We improve the upper bound to $$O((\log \kappa )^3/(\log \log \kappa )^2).$$

O
(

(
log
κ
)

3

/

(
log
log
κ
)

2

)
.

We deduce this bound from a more general result on posets of multisets ordered by inclusion. We also consider other divisibility orders and give a bound for polynomials ordered by divisibility.
Analysis of hemorrhage upon ultrasound-guided percutaneous renal biopsy in China: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Fang-fang , Guan Yu-xia , Li Tong-xin , Jiang Di , He Zi-xia , Xia Peng , Zhao Xue-song
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) has been considered as a golden standard for CKD diagnosis and is employed to identify potential therapeutic targets since 1950s. Post-biopsy hemorrhage is the most common complication, while severe bleeding complication might cause nephrectomy or death. Therefore, how to reduce the occurrence of complications while ensuring the success of PRB is always a clinical research topic.

Methods

This study retrospectively collected and established a renal biopsy database of each patient who underwent ultrasound-guided PRB at a tertiary teaching hospital from September 2017 to December 2020 through the Health Information System. All the data were statistically processed by SPSS software.

Results

A total of 1146 patients underwent PRB for various reasons. The overall rate of post-biopsy hemorrhage was 37.70% (432/1146). Of those bleedings, minor bleeding after PRB was found in 337 (29.41%), middle bleeding 84 (7.33%), major bleeding 11 (0.96%). Besides that, there were 96 patients (8.38%) reported their discomfort symptoms. There was no death. Females were at significantly increased risk of hemorrhagic complication than males (OR = 2.017, CI = 1.531–2.658). While the risk for hemorrhagic complication significantly decreased as BMI and platelet before renal biopsy increased (OR = 0.956, CI = 0.924–0.989; OR = 0.998, CI = 0.996–1.000). As the APTT time prolonged, the risk for hemorrhagic complication significantly increased (OR = 1.072, CI = 1.023–1.123). Those patients whose albumin were higher, also had higher risk for hemorrhagic complication than other patients (OR = 1.020, CI = 1.000–1.041). Specifically, postoperative urination within 4 h increased the risk for hemorrhagic complication (OR = 1.741, CI = 1.176–2.576).

Conclusion

Our analysis finds that the incidence of post-biopsy bleeding complication is 37.70%, and its risk is associated with female, lower BMI, lower platelet before renal biopsy, prolonged APTT, higher albumin, and postoperative urination within 4 h. The findings highlighted the importance of perioperative management for renal biopsy, including adequate risk assessment, tailored careful observation after PRB. And medical staff should pay more attention to fluid management after ultrasound-guided PRB.
Diurnal changes in pathogenic and indicator virus concentrations in wastewater
Authors: Farkas Kata , Pântea Igor , Woodhall Nick , Williams Denis , Lambert-Slosarska Kathryn , Williams Rachel C. , Grimsley Jasmine M. S. , Singer Andrew C. , Jones Davey L.
Published: November 2023

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been commonly used for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. As sampling times and methods (i.e. grab vs composite) may vary, diurnal changes of viral concentrations in sewage should be better understood. In this study, we collected untreated wastewater samples hourly for 4 days at two wastewater treatment plants in Wales to establish diurnal patterns in virus concentrations and the physico-chemical properties of the water. Simultaneously, we also trialled three absorbent materials as passive samples as a simple and cost-efficient alternative for the collection of composite samples. Ninety-six percent of all liquid samples (n = 74) and 88% of the passive samplers (n = 59) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, whereas 87% and 97% of the liquid and passive samples were positive for the faecal indicator virus crAssphage, respectively. We found no significant daily variations in the concentration of the target viruses, ammonium and orthophosphate, and the pH and electrical conductivity levels were also stable. Weak positive correlations were found between some physico-chemical properties and viral concentrations. More variation was observed in samples taken from the influent stream as opposed to those taken from the influent tank. Of the absorbent materials trialled as passive samples, we found that tampons provided higher viral recoveries than electronegative filter paper and cotton gauze swabs. For all materials tested, viral recovery was dependent on the virus type. Our results indicate that grab samples may provide representative alternatives to 24-h composite samples if taken from the influent tank, hence reducing the costs of sampling for WBE programmes. Tampons are also viable alternatives for cost-efficient sampling; however, viral recovery should be optimised prior to use.
Functional Ag-EDTA-modified MnO2 nanocoral reef for rapid removal of hazardous copper from wastewater
Authors: Ali Omnia I. , Azzam Ahmed B.
Published: November 2023

A novel MnO2@EDTA-Ag nanocoral reef was constructed via a simplified redox reaction followed by EDTA and Ag nanoparticles impregnation to capture hazardous copper (II) from wastewater. A comprehensive characterization of the synthesized materials was conducted. The morphology of MnO2@EDTA-Ag in the form of a nanocoral reef was constructed of two-dimensional nanoplatelets and nanorod-like nanostructures. The optimal adsorption conditions proposed by the Plackett–Burman design (PBD) that would provide a removal % of 99.95 were pH 5.5, a contact time of 32.0 min, a Cu(II) concentration of 11.2 mg L−1, an adsorbent dose of 0.05 g, and a temperature of 40.3 °C. The loading of Ag nanoparticles onto MnO2@EDTA improved the adsorption capability of MnO2@EDTA-Ag. Additionally, the recyclability of MnO2@EDTA-Ag nanocoral reef was maintained at 80% after three adsorption–desorption cycles, and there was no significant change in the XRD analysis before and after the recycling process, implying its stability. It was found that nanocoral reef-assisted EDTA formed a chelation/complexation reaction between COO− groups and C–N bonds of EDTA with Cu(II) ions. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis proved the synergistic effect of the electrostatic interaction and chelation/complexation was responsible for the removal mechanism of Cu(II). Also, the results demonstrated no significant variation in MnO2@EDTA-Ag removal efficiency for all the tested real water samples, revealing its efficacy in wastewater treatment. Therefore, the current study suggests that MnO2@EDTA-Ag has substantial potential to be used as a feasible adsorbent for probable hazardous metals remediation.
Automated software for counting and measuring Hyalella genus using artificial intelligence
Authors: Pineda-Alarcón Ludy , Zuluaga Maycol , Ruíz Santiago , Mc Cann David Fernandez , Vélez Fabio , Aguirre Nestor , Puerta Yarin , Cañón Julio
Published: November 2023

Amphipods belonging to the Hyalella genus are macroinvertebrates that inhabit aquatic environments. They are of particular interest in areas such as limnology and ecotoxicology, where data on the number of Hyalella individuals and their allometric measurements are used to assess the environmental dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we introduce HyACS, a software tool that uses a model developed with the YOLOv3’s architecture to detect individuals, and digital image processing techniques to extract morphological metrics of the Hyalella genus. The software detects body metrics of length, arc length, maximum width, eccentricity, perimeter, and area of Hyalella individuals, using basic imaging capture equipment. The performance metrics indicate that the model developed can achieve high prediction levels, with an accuracy above 90% for the correct identification of individuals. It can perform up to four times faster than traditional visual counting methods and provide precise morphological measurements of Hyalella individuals, which may improve further studies of the species populations and enhance their use as bioindicators of water quality.
Die gesellschaftliche Einbettung der Klimastreiks. Zur Vermessung der deutschen Klimaschutzbewegungsindustrien
Authors: Laux Thomas
Published: November 2023

Seit nunmehr fast fünf Jahren mobilisiert Fridays for Future für den Schutz des Klimas und hat damit in Deutschland großen Erfolg. Während für die Erklärung der Erfolgs der Bewegung zahlreiche Studien zu den Gelegenheitsstrukturen, zu ihrem Framing sowie zu den Protestteilnehmer:innen vorliegen, ist über die Bewegungsindustrien der Klimastreiks kaum etwas bekannt. Mit der Bereitstellung von Ressourcen sind Organisationen für die Institutionalisierung sozialer Bewegungen von zentraler Bedeutung. Ebendiese organisationale Basis steht im Fokus der Studie, die explorativ die Größe, die Dynamik, die Stabilität, die Diversität sowie die räumliche Ausbreitung der Klimabewegungsindustrien von acht Klimastreiks in Deutschland untersucht. Über die Erfassung von Informationen zu den Mitgliedschaften der insgesamt 421 Organisationen in den Bewegungsindustrien der Klimastreiks zwischen September 2019 und September 2022 hinaus werden die Organisationen unterschiedlichen Tätigkeitsbereichen und, gemäß ihrem Sitz, Bundesländern zugeordnet. Hieraus ergeben sich Einsichten in die Einbettung der Klimastreiks auf der gesellschaftlichen Mesoebene. Die Ergebnisse der Analyse zeigen, dass im Zuge der Coronapandemie und des russischen Angriffskriegs auf die Ukraine die Größe sowie die Dynamik der Bewegungsindustrien zwar zurückging, sich aber 2022 wieder erholt und stabilisiert hat. Klassische Bewegungsorganisationen aus dem Bereich des Umwelt- und Naturschutzes bilden zusammen mit neu entstandenen „… for Future“-Organisationen den Kern der Bewegungsindustrien. Im Analysezeitraum nehmen die Breite der gesellschaftlichen Einbettung auf der Mesoebene ab und die Bedeutung dieser Bewegungsorganisationen weiter zu. Bezüglich der räumlichen Ausbreitung der Bewegungsindustrien ist eine zunehmende Konzentration in Berlin festzustellen, wobei sich seit Beginn des Jahres 2022 auch wieder eine verstärkte räumliche Diversifizierung beobachten lässt.
Endoscopic Extended Sinus Surgery for Patients with Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps, the Choice of Mucoplasty: A Systematic Review
Authors: Martin-Jimenez Daniel , Moreno-Luna Ramon , Cuvillo Alfonso , Gonzalez-Garcia Jaime , Maza-Solano Juan , Sanchez-Gomez Serafin
Published: November 2023

Purpose of Review

The advances in the knowledge of the molecular basis of the inflammatory response in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) have led the management of these patients towards personalized and precision medicine. Surgery has been positioned as a suitable alternative in patients who do not achieve control with appropriate medical treatment, but polypoid recurrences remain a constraint. The emergence of new surgical approaches based on patient phenotyping and the poor disease control associated with type 2 inflammatory phenotype makes it necessary to review the role of personalized and precision surgery in managing the disease.

Recent Findings

Surgical approaches based on wide resection of bony sinus structures and the treatment of mucosa lining the sinonasal cavity have been analyzed and compared with other techniques and seem to offer more favorable surgical outcomes and improved quality of life (QoL), in addition to lower relapse rates. The innovations with new complementary surgical techniques, such as reboot surgery adding an extended autologous mucosal graft from the nasal floor (mucoplasty), may benefit endoscopic and QoL outcomes in the most severe CRSwNP patients with type 2 phenotype.

Using bilateral endonasal mucoplasty as a complementary technique to reboot surgery is a suitable technical choice that has improved short- and medium-term QoL and endoscopic outcomes for patients with severe CRSwNP. These results are likely due to a combination of the extension of reboot and the inherent inflammatory and healing properties of mucoplasty. We propose this technique as a valuable surgical resource, although more robust clinical studies are needed to evaluate its long-term benefits comprehensively.
MiR-184 Mediated the Expression of ZNF865 in Exosome to Promote Procession in the PD Model
Authors: Liu Chang , Wang Yang , Li Jing-wen , Zhu Xiaoyan , Jiang Hai-song , Zhao Hong , Zhang Li-ming
Published: November 2023

Exosomes are nanoscale small vesicles (EVs) secreted by cells that carry important bio information, including proteins, miRNAs, and more. Exosome contents are readily present in body fluids, including blood, and urine of humans and animals, and thereby act as markers of diseases. In patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), exosomes may spread alpha-synuclein and miR-184 between the cells contributing to dopaminergic neuronal loss. In this study, we detected the levels of miR-184 in urine-excreted neuronal exosomes between PD patients and age-matched healthy subjects by qRT-PCR analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were also used to determine the ultracellular structures of exosomes nanoparticles. MPP + and MPTP were used to construct the cell and animal PD model. Behavioral tests were used to detect motor performance. Furthermore, the cytological experiments were measured to examine the relationship between miR-184 and ZNF865. We found that the levels of miR-184 in urine-derived neuronal exosomes from PD patients were higher, compared to aged-matched normal people. The exosomes from PD patients were larger with greater numbers than those from the age-matched healthy subjects. The difference in miR-184 in urinary exosomes between PD patients and normal people may provide a novel perspective for early diagnosis of PD. However, no difference in CD63 level was observed in Exo-control and Exo-PD groups (exosome from control or PD groups). Moreover, ZNF865 was detected as the targeted gene of miR-184. In addition, miR-184 ASO (miR-184 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, miR-184 ASO) could rescue the damage of neuronal apoptosis and motor performance in PD mice. Our results showed the miR-184 potential to function as a diagnostic marker of PD.

Graphical Abstract
Erziehung in institutionellen Kontexten
Authors: Marks Svenja
Published: November 2023

Innerhalb einer Gesellschaft ist das Zusammenleben mitunter über unterschiedliche, teilweise miteinander konkurrierende Lebensformen und darin eingelagerte Sinnsysteme (was das „Richtige“ oder „Gute“ sei) arrangiert. In dieser Perspektive hat Erziehung etwas damit zu tun, die Novizen (Kinder, aber auch ‚Fremde‘) in eben jenes „richtige“ oder „gute“ Leben einzuführen. Somit ist Erziehung niemals neutral, sondern mit ihrem Rekurs auf Lebensformen ist sie hochgradig normativ. Mit dieser Perspektive werden Erziehungsprozesse in Institutionen untersucht, in diesem Beitrag am Beispiel Schule.
Breaking the Taboo: Determinants of Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Among Egyptian Women
Authors: Shousha Nayera Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Drawing on 32 semi structured in-depth interviews with Egyptian women, this paper discusses determinants of sexual knowledge and attitudes among premarital and married women and women's agency in presenting sexual desires and gaining sexual knowledge in Egypt. Three main themes emerged as follows: (1) Attitudes toward being sexually educated; the findings show that most women have a positive attitude toward sexual knowledge and being sexually educated. However, there is still some embarrassment and shame associated with expressing their sexual needs or seeking more information about them. (2) Gender inequity in sexual knowledge: respondents have reported that they face social oppression and challenges when expressing their sexual desires, and there is gender inequity in obtaining knowledge about sex. Additionally, women agreed that men have the right to obtain knowledge about sex and that Egyptian society supports men in acquiring such knowledge. (3) General knowledge about sex; the internet is the most common source of information about sex. There is agreement that intimate relationships should be an enjoyable experience for both partners. Furthermore, women have stated that there are some indicators of successful sexual relationships. The current research contributes by filling a gap in the knowledge about women’s sexual education in Egypt, where empirical literature on women’s sexual knowledge in such conservative culture is lacking.
Tinten für die Biofabrikation–Druckbarkeit vs. Biokompatibilität?
Authors: Kuth Sonja , Lorke Markus , Frischknecht Renato , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: November 2023

In biomaterial ink development, achieving optimal performance is a complex process. A biomaterial ink that shows excellent printability may be inferior in terms of cell compatibility. Properties facilitating printability of biomaterial inks include, among others, viscosity and stiffness. Research shows that stiffness plays a pivotal role in dictating cell response. Neurons used in this study require an exceptionally low matrix stiffness, which may not show best printability results when realized in a biomaterial ink.
Modellierung der Bauchspeicheldrüse aus hPS-Zellen
Authors: Merz Sarah , Kleger Alexander
Published: November 2023

Human pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into the pancreatic lineage, providing a human pancreas model to study diseases and development. We improved the differentiation protocol to generate pancreatic progenitors, the common ancestor of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. We classified the glycoprotein-2 high-expressing subpopulation as truly multipotent, thereby making it particularly suitable to engineer acinar cells. Its capability of developing simultaneously into endocrine, ductal and acinar lineages qualifies it as a useful tool for pancreatic disease modelling.
An online surrogate-assisted neighborhood search algorithm based on deep neural network for thermal layout optimization
Authors: Zhao Jiliang , Wang Handing , Yao Wen , Peng Wei , Gong Zhiqiang
Published: November 2023

Thermal layout optimization problems are common in integrated circuit design, where a large number of electronic components are placed on the layout, and a low temperature (i.e., high efficiency) is achieved by optimizing the positions of the electronic components. The operating temperature value of the layout is obtained by measuring the temperature field from the expensive simulation. Based on this, the thermal layout optimization problem can be viewed as an expensive combinatorial optimization problem. In order to reduce the evaluation cost, surrogate models have been widely used to replace the expensive simulations in the optimization process. However, facing the discrete decision space in thermal layout problems, generic surrogate models have large prediction errors, leading to a wrong guidance of the optimization direction. In this work, the layout scheme and its temperature field are represented by images whose relation can be well approximated by a deep neural network. Therefore, we propose an online deep surrogate-assisted optimization algorithm for thermal layout optimization. First, the iterative local search is developed to explore the discrete decision space to generate new layout schemes. Then, we design a deep neural network to build an image-to-image mapping model between the layout and the temperature field as the approximated evaluation. The operating temperature of the layout can be measured by the temperature field predicted by the mapping model. Finally, a segmented fusion model management strategy is proposed to online updates the parameters of the network. The experimental results on three kinds of layout datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm, especially when the required computational budget is limited.