bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Impact and Modeling of Petroleum Spills
Authors: Horn Matt , French-McCay Deborah , Etkin Dagmar Schmidt
Published: May 2024

The risks associated with a release of oil posed by potentially polluting wrecks (PPW) span a wide range of probabilities and potential magnitudes for environmental consequences. Even a lay reader will be well aware that following a release of oil, there is great potential for environmental damage and mortality of birds, mammals, and fish. Fisheries and beach closures and localised evacuations may occur to limit the exposure of humans to potential contaminants. The range of socio-economic and ecological impacts can be quite large between releases with the geographic extent and magnitude of effects being extremely variable between releases. In addition, the duration of these effects and changes to populations and ecosystems can range from a few days to years or even decades in some circumstances. This variability necessitates the quantitative assessment of the range of environmental impacts to understand where a release may occur, the environmental conditions at the time of the release, the geographic extent over which it may be transported, and the receptors of interest (e.g., species of concern, shorelines, populated areas) that may be impacted. Computational oil spill models were developed to characterise the movement and behavior of released oil in the environment, while also quantifying the duration of exposure to levels of contamination and their potential for both lethal and sublethal effects.
Wirkt die Frauenquote für Führungskräfte?
Authors: Schachler Sarah
Published: May 2024

Quotenregelungen für Führungsgremien von Unternehmen sind ein oft und kontrovers diskutiertes Instrument, um die Gleichstellung von Frauen und Männern weiter voranzubringen. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht die Einführung einer Quote für Aufsichtsräte in Norwegen. Die Ergebnisse machen deutlich: Frauen sind wegen der Quote besser repräsentiert und die geschlechtsspezifischen Gehaltsunterschiede nehmen innerhalb des Aufsichtsrates ab. Befürchtungen, wie z. B. es gäbe nicht genügend qualifizierte Frauen, erwiesen sich als haltlos. Darüber hinaus ist die Wirkung der Quote aber begrenzt. Denn andere Frauen profitieren kaum von besseren Karriereperspektiven und Arbeitsmarktchancen.
Wie «Zombiekredite» die Inflation bremsen
Authors: Green Margaret
Published: May 2024

Seit der globalen Finanzkrise 2008 sind die Zinsen in der Eurozone und vielen anderen Industriestaaten sehr niedrig. Anders als von manchen Ökonomen erwartet, führten die langanhaltend tiefen Zinsen zumindest bisher kaum zu nennenswert höheren Preisen. Im Gegenteil, die Inflation lag meist sogar unter dem Ziel der Zentralbanken. Wie kann man dieses Inflationsrätsel erklären? Eine wichtige Rolle spielen «Zombie Firmen». Sie sind wenig produktiv, hochverschuldet und überleben nur dank tiefer Zinsen. Dennoch steigert ihre Produktion das Güterangebot, was die Preise niedrig hält.
Hohe Zahlungsmoral belebt die Wirtschaft
Authors: Currenti Lorenzo F.
Published: May 2024

Der Staat ist für viele Unternehmen ein wichtiger Kunde. Wenn die Kunden die Rechnung rasch begleichen, entspannt sich die Knappheit an Liquidität. Der Zugang zu Krediten verbessert sich. Die Unternehmen können ihre Investitionen leichter finanzieren und neue Beschäftigte einstellen. Eine hohe Zahlungsmoral des Staates belebt daher die Wirtschaft. In konjunkturell schwierigen Zeiten ist eine hohe Zahlungsmoral besonders wirksam und kann die Erholung beschleunigen. Wie bedeutsam ist eine hohe staatliche Zahlungsmoral für die Entwicklung der Wirtschaft?
Weniger Emissionen Dank Innovationen
Authors: Altorfer Michael
Published: May 2024

Die Bekämpfung des Klimawandels zwingt zu einschneidenden Massnahmen. Hohe CO2 Preise sind unvermeidlich. Aber neue Kosten lähmen die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und bremsen das Wachstum. Ist Innovation die Lösung? Mit Prozessinnovationen können die Unternehmen die Produktion emissionssparend verbessern, den Kostenanstieg durch CO2-Steuern wenigstens teilweise kompensieren, und ihre preisliche Wettbewerbsfähigkeit wieder steigern. Wenn die Emissionen sinken, ohne die Kosten zu steigern, wäre das Ziel einer wachstumsfreundlichen Klimapolitik erreicht. Entscheidend ist, wie stark die privaten F&E-Investitionen zunehmen, wenn die Umweltsteuern steigen.
A modular SU (5) littlest seesaw
Authors: de Medeiros Varzielas Ivo , King Steve F. , Levy Miguel
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We extend the littlest modular seesaw to a Grand Unified scenario based on SU (5) endowed with three modular S4 symmetries. We leverage symmetry protected zeroes in the leptonic and down quark sectors to suppress deviations to the littlest modular seesaw predictions, but not contributions to the quark mixing. The model is supplemented by two weighton fields, such that the hierarchical nature of the charged-lepton masses, as well as the quark masses and mixing, stem from the content and symmetries of the model, rather than a hierarchical nature of the Yukawa coefficients.
Explanation of the hints for a 95 GeV Higgs boson within a 2-Higgs Doublet Model
Authors: Belyaev A. , Benbrik R. , Boukidi M. , Chakraborti M. , Moretti S. , Semlali S.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We suggest an explanation for and explore the consequences of the excess around 95 GeV in the di-photon and di-tau invariant mass distributions recently reported by the CMS collaboration at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), together with the discrepancy that has long been observed at the Large Electron-Positron (LEP) collider in the $$ b\overline{b} $$
b

b
¯

invariant mass. Interestingly, the most recent findings announced by the ATLAS collaboration do not contradict, or even support, these intriguing observations. Their search in the di-photon final state similarly reveals an excess of events within the same mass range, albeit with a bit lower significance, thereby corroborating and somewhat reinforcing the observations made by CMS.

We demonstrate that the lightest CP-even Higgs boson in the general 2-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) Type-III can explain simultaneously the observed excesses at approximately 1.3 σ C.L. while satisfying up-to-date theoretical and experimental constraints. Moreover, the 2HDM Type-III predicts an excess in the $$ pp\to t\overline{t}{H}_{\textrm{SM}} $$
pp
→
t

t
¯

H
SM

production channel of the 125 GeV Higgs boson, HSM. This effect is caused by a up to 12% enhancement of the HSMtt Yukawa coupling in comparison to that predicted by the Standard Model. Such an effect can be tested at the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), which can either discover or exclude the scenario we suggest. This unique characteristic of the 2HDM Type-III makes this scenario with the 95 GeV resonance very attractive for further theoretical and experimental investigations at the (HL-)LHC and future colliders.
Mechanistic safety assessment via multi-omic characterisation of systemic pathway perturbations following in vivo MAT2A inhibition
Authors: Fogal Valentina , Michopoulos Filippos , Jarnuczak Andrew F. , Hamza Ghaith M. , Harlfinger Stephanie , Davey Paul , Hulme Heather , Atkinson Stephen J. , Gabrowski Piotr , Cheung Tony , Grondine Michael , Hoover Clare , Rose Jonathan , Bray Chandler , Foster Alison J. , Askin Sean , Majumder Muntasir Mamun , Fitzpatrick Paul , Miele Eric , Macdonald Ruth , Keun Hector C. , Coen Muireann
Published: May 2024

The tumour suppressor p16/CDKN2A and the metabolic gene, methyl-thio-adenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), are frequently co-deleted in some of the most aggressive and currently untreatable cancers. Cells with MTAP deletion are vulnerable to inhibition of the metabolic enzyme, methionine-adenosyl transferase 2A (MAT2A), and the protein arginine methyl transferase (PRMT5). This synthetic lethality has paved the way for the rapid development of drugs targeting the MAT2A/PRMT5 axis. MAT2A and its liver- and pancreas-specific isoform, MAT1A, generate the universal methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) from ATP and methionine. Given the pleiotropic role SAM plays in methylation of diverse substrates, characterising the extent of SAM depletion and downstream perturbations following MAT2A/MAT1A inhibition (MATi) is critical for safety assessment. We have assessed in vivo target engagement and the resultant systemic phenotype using multi-omic tools to characterise response to a MAT2A inhibitor (AZ’9567). We observed significant SAM depletion and extensive methionine accumulation in the plasma, liver, brain and heart of treated rats, providing the first assessment of both global SAM depletion and evidence of hepatic MAT1A target engagement. An integrative analysis of multi-omic data from liver tissue identified broad perturbations in pathways covering one-carbon metabolism, trans-sulfuration and lipid metabolism. We infer that these pathway-wide perturbations represent adaptive responses to SAM depletion and confer a risk of oxidative stress, hepatic steatosis and an associated disturbance in plasma and cellular lipid homeostasis. The alterations also explain the dramatic increase in plasma and tissue methionine, which could be used as a safety and PD biomarker going forward to the clinic.
The Cold War in pharmacology: a bibliometric analysis of Berlin’s contributions to Naunyn‑Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology (1947–1974)
Authors: Basol Mert Erkan , Seifert Roland
Published: May 2024

After World War II, Berlin was divided into the West, controlled by The United States, the UK, and France, and the East, controlled by the Soviet Union, resulting in a Cold War for decades. This bibliometric study analyzes the influence of the Cold War on pharmacological research in Berlin by evaluating publication patterns in Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology from 1947 to 1974 (n = 383). The publications highlight the political disparities in scientific output, exacerbated by the founding of the Free University of Berlin (FUB) as a countermeasure to Soviet repression, promoting academic freedom in West-Berlin. Researchers in West-Berlin published many more papers in Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology than researchers in East-Berlin and received much more citations. West-Berlin adopted English as a scientific language much more rapidly than East-Berlin. West-Berlin and East-Berlin focused on totally different research topics. This paper demonstrates how political freedom, financial support, and internationalization boosted research productivity in West-Berlin. In contrast, political suppression, financial scarcity, and restricted international ties hindered scientific development in East-Berlin.
The later-line efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors plus anlotinib in EGFR-mutant patients with EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Yin Xiaoyan , Liu Xinchao , Ren Fei , Meng Xiangjiao
Published: May 2024

Background

Effective treatment after EGFR-TKI resistance is of great clinical concern. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib in combination with an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody in later-line therapy for EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients after TKI treatment failure and to explore the independent predictive factors of therapeutic efficacy.

Methods

A total of 71 patients with confirmed advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC who progressed after previous standard EGFR-TKI therapy but still failed after multiline treatments were included retrospectively in this study. Most of the patients had previously received at least three lines of treatment. All were treated with anlotinib combined with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy. The safety of this combined treatment was assessed by the incidence of adverse events. The efficacy of the regimens was evaluated by survival analysis (OS, PFS, ORR, DCR).

Results

The median follow-up period was 28.6 months (range: 2.3–54.0 months), and the median number of treatment lines was 4. The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 19.7% and 77.5%, respectively. The median PFS was 5.8 months (95% CI 4.2–7.4 months), and the median OS was 17.1 months (95% CI 12.0–22.3 months). Patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors plus anlotinib had an encouraging intracranial ORR of 38.5% and a DCR of 80.8%. ECOG performance status < 2 at baseline was independent protective factors of PFS. Metastatic organs and ECOG performance status were independent parameters in predicting OS. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 66 (93.0%) patients; most of the adverse events were Grade 1–2, and no increase in adverse events was observed compared to monotherapy.

Conclusion

Anlotinib combined with an anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based regimen exhibited promising efficacy and tolerance in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations after previous TKI failure. The efficacy of this combined regimen in patients with EGFR mutations should be further evaluated.
A nanogold sensor test for tire wear chemicals based on the plasmon ruler approach
Authors: Gagné François , Roubeau-Dumont Eva , André Chantale
Published: May 2024

The release of tire wear substances in the environment is raising concerns about potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to develop a quick and inexpensive screening test for the following tire wear substances: 6-phenylphenyldiamine quinone (6-PPD quinone), hexamethoxymethylmelamine (HMMM), 1–3-diphenylguanidine (1,3-DPG), and melamine. A dual strategy consisting of nanogold (nAu) signal intensity and the plasmonic ruler principle was used based on the spectral shift from the unaggregated free-form nAu from 525 nm to aggregated nAu at higher wavelengths. The shift in resonance corresponded to the relative sizes of the tire wear substances at the surface of nAu: 6-PPD (560 nm), HMMM (590 nm), 1,3-DPG (620 nm), and melamine (660 nm) in a concentration-dependent manner. When present in mixtures, a large indiscriminate band between 550 and 660 nm with a maximum corresponding to the mean intermolecular distance of 0.43 nm from the tested individual substances suggests that all compounds indiscriminately interacted at the surface of nAu. An internal calibration methodology was developed for mixtures and biological extracts from mussels and biofilms and revealed a proportional increase in absorbance at the corresponding resonance line for each test compound. Application of this simple and quick methodology revealed the increased presence of melamine and HMMM compounds in mussels and biofilms collected at urban sites (downstream city, road runoffs), respectively. The data also showed that treated municipal effluent decreased somewhat melamine levels in mussels.

Graphical Abstract
Comparative proteomic analysis of dental pulp from supernumerary and normal permanent teeth
Authors: Lertruangpanya Kritkamon , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Surarit Rudee , Horsophonphong Sivaporn
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To obtain and compare the protein profiles of supernumerary and normal permanent dental pulp tissues.

Materials and methods

Dental pulp tissues were obtained from supernumerary and normal permanent teeth. Proteins were extracted and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). Protein identification and quantification from MS data was performed with MaxQuant. Statistical analysis was conducted using Metaboanalyst to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (P-value < 0.05, fold-change > 2). Gene Ontology enrichment analyses were performed with gProfiler.

Results

A total of 3,534 proteins were found in normal dental pulp tissue and 1,093 in supernumerary dental pulp tissue, with 174 DEPs between the two groups. This analysis revealed similar functional characteristics in terms of cellular component organization, cell differentiation, developmental process, and response to stimulus, alongside exclusive functions unique to normal permanent dental pulp tissues such as healing, vascular development and cell death. Upon examination of DEPs, these proteins were associated with the processes of wound healing and apoptosis.

Conclusions

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the protein profile of dental pulp tissue, including the first such profiling of supernumerary permanent dental pulp. There are functional differences between the proteomic profiles of supernumerary and normal permanent dental pulp tissue, despite certain biological similarities between the two groups. Differences in protein expression were identified, and the identified DEPs were linked to the healing and apoptosis processes.

Clinical relevance

This discovery enhances our knowledge of supernumerary and normal permanent pulp tissue, and serves as a valuable reference for future studies on supernumerary teeth.
A journey with ASMETA from requirements to code: application to an automotive system with adaptive features
Authors: Arcaini Paolo , Bonfanti Silvia , Gargantini Angelo , Riccobene Elvinia , Scandurra Patrizia
Published: May 2024

Modern automotive systems with adaptive control features require rigorous analysis to guarantee correct operation. We report our experience in modeling the automotive case study from the ABZ2020 conference using the ASMETA toolset, based on the Abstract State Machine formal method. We adopted a seamless system engineering method: from an incremental formal specification of high-level requirements to increasingly refined ASMETA models, to the C++ code generation from the model. Along this process, different validation and verification activities were performed. We explored modeling styles and idioms to face the modeling complexity and ensure that the ASMETA models can best capture and reflect specific behavioral patterns. Through this realistic automotive case study, we evaluated the applicability and usability of our formal modeling approach.
Brain tissue oxygen partial pressure monitoring and prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis
Authors: Shen Yuqi , Wen Dan , Liang Zhenghua , Wan Li , Jiang Qingli , He Haiyan , He Mei
Published: May 2024

To assess whether monitoring brain tissue oxygen partial pressure (PbtO2) or employing intracranial pressure (ICP)/cerebral perfusion pressure (CCP)-guided management improves patient outcomes, including mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), mean daily ICP and mean daily CCP during the intensive care unit(ICU)stay. We searched the Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE databases until December 12, 2023. Prospective randomized controlled and cohort studies were included. A meta-analysis was performed for the primary outcome measure, mortality, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eleven studies with a total of 37,492 patients were included. The mortality in the group with PbtO2 was 29.0% (odds ratio: 0.73;95% confidence interval [CI]:0.56–0.96; P = 0.03; I = 55%), demonstrating a significant benefit. The overall hospital LOS was longer in the PbtO2 group than that in the ICP/CPP group (mean difference:2.03; 95% CI:1.03–3.02; P<0.0001; I = 39%). The mean daily ICP in the PbtO2 monitoring group was lower than that in the ICP/CPP group (mean difference:-1.93; 95% CI: -3.61 to -0.24; P = 0.03; I = 41%). Moreover, PbtO2 monitoring did not improve the mean daily CPP (mean difference:2.43; 95%CI: -1.39 to 6.25;P = 0.21; I = 56%).Compared with ICP/CPP monitoring, PbtO2 monitoring reduced the mortality and the mean daily ICP in patients with severe traumatic brain injury; however, no significant effect was noted on the mean daily CPP. In contrast, ICP/CPP monitoring alone was associated with a short hospital stay.
Early localization of tissue at risk for delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: blood distribution on initial imaging vs early CT perfusion
Authors: Malinova Vesna , Kranawetter Beate , Tuzi Sheri , Rohde Veit , Mielke Dorothee
Published: May 2024

Objective

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a potentially reversible adverse event after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), when early detected and treated. Computer tomography perfusion (CTP) is used to identify the tissue at risk for DCI. In this study, the predictive power of early CTP was compared with that of blood distribution on initial CT for localization of tissue at risk for DCI.

Methods

A consecutive patient cohort with aSAH treated between 2012 and 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. Blood distribution on CT was semi-quantitatively assessed with the Hijdra-score. The vessel territory with the most surrounding blood and the one with perfusion deficits on CTP performed on day 3 after ictus were considered to be at risk for DCI, respectively.

Results

A total of 324 patients were included. Delayed infarction occurred in 17% (56/324) of patients. Early perfusion deficits were detected in 82% (46/56) of patients, 85% (39/46) of them developed infarction within the predicted vessel territory at risk. In 46% (25/56) a vessel territory at risk was reliably determined by the blood distribution. For the prediction of DCI, blood amount/distribution was inferior to CTP. Concerning the identification of “tissue at risk” for DCI, a combination of both methods resulted in an increase of sensitivity to 64%, positive predictive value to 58%, and negative predictive value to 92%.

Conclusions

Regarding the DCI-prediction, early CTP was superior to blood amount/distribution, while a consideration of subarachnoid blood distribution may help identify the vessel territories at risk for DCI in patients without early perfusion deficits.
IFN-α/β/IFN-γ/IL-15 pathways identify GBP1-expressing tumors with an immune-responsive phenotype
Authors: Wang Lei , Wei Yuxuan , Jin Zheng , Liu Fangfang , Li Xuchang , Zhang Xiao , Bai Xiumei , Jia Qingzhu , Zhu Bo , Chu Qian
Published: May 2024

Immunotherapy is widely used in cancer treatment; however, only a subset of patients responds well to it. Significant efforts have been made to identify patients who will benefit from immunotherapy. Successful anti-tumor immunity depends on an intact cancer-immunity cycle, especially long-lasting CD8+ T-cell responses. Interferon (IFN)-α/β/IFN-γ/interleukin (IL)-15 pathways have been reported to be involved in the development of CD8+ T cells. And these pathways may predict responses to immunotherapy. Herein, we aimed to analyze multiple public databases to investigate whether IFN-α/β/IFN-γ/IL-15 pathways could be used to predict the response to immunotherapy. Results showed that IFN-α/β/IFN-γ/IL-15 pathways could efficiently predict immunotherapy response, and guanylate-binding protein 1 (GBP1) could represent the IFN-α/β/IFN-γ/IL-15 pathways. In public and private cohorts, we further demonstrated that GBP1 could efficiently predict the response to immunotherapy. Functionally, GBP1 was mainly expressed in macrophages and strongly correlated with chemokines involved in T-cell migration. Therefore, our study comprehensively investigated the potential role of GBP1 in immunotherapy, which could serve as a novel biomarker for immunotherapy and a target for drug development.
Earthworm, Perionyx excavatus as an alternate protein source for Nile tilapia: Effects on growth performance, blood biochemistry, erythrocyte morphology and intestinal health
Authors: Das Bethi , Islam S. M. Majharul , Nag Sudipta Kumar , Al-Azim  , Vatsos Ioannis N. , Siddik Muhammad A. B.
Published: May 2024

Recently, an increasing disparity has emerged in the need for raw fish meal (FM) and its supply, along with the environmental and financial obstacles associated with its use. Therefore, increasing and elevating the diversity of alternative protein sources for aquaculture nutrition is imperative. The study investigated the impact of substituting FM protein with EW meal on the growth, haemato-biochemical response and intestinal histomorphology of Nile tilapia. Up to 20% fishmeal replacement with EW meal had no adverse effects on fish growth performance. A quadratic analysis of the final body weight and EW meal level indicated the best growth performance at 17.5% replacement. Fish fed the 40% replacement level had significantly decreased height and width of intestinal folds and number of mucosal goblet cells compared to the control. Although red and white blood cell counts were found unchanged between the control, the 10% and 20% replacement groups, a significantly higher number of white blood cells and a lower number of red blood cells were found in the 40% group compared to the control. Blood glucose level was the highest, while haemoglobin level was the lowest in the 40% group. In the same group, significantly higher frequencies of erythrocyte cellular and nuclear abnormalities were noted. Lipid droplet accumulation in the liver was significantly higher in the 40% group, whilst the 10% and 20% groups showed no significant difference compared to the control.
Endangered giant kelp forests support similar fish and macroinvertebrate communities to sympatric stipitate kelp forests
Authors: Forbes Hunter , Strain Elisabeth M. A. , Bennett Scott , Ling Scott D. , Layton Cayne
Published: May 2024

Kelp forests provide habitat for many species, but it remains uncertain whether specific kelp forest types support distinct biodiversity. Surface canopy-forming giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forests in Tasmania, Australia, have declined significantly due to climate change, and have been widely replaced by forests dominated by smaller stipitate kelps like Ecklonia radiata. However, there is limited knowledge of the community composition of Macrocystis forests and how this may differ from the stipitate kelp forest community. Underwater visual census surveys were conducted of the fishes and macroinvertebrates (> 2.5 cm length) in remnant Macrocystis forests in south-eastern Tasmania, and in adjacent stipitate kelp forests. 18 sites (9 of each forest type) were surveyed across two regions during the period of peak growth and canopy cover (i.e. winter-spring). Faunal community composition varied little between forest types, although Macrocystis forests supported more than double the abundance and biomass of mobile fishes, while cryptic fishes differed by forest type depending on region. Macroinvertebrate assemblages did not differ between forest types nor regions. Thus, for the taxa and time period examined, Tasmanian Macrocystis and stipitate kelp forests supported mostly similar faunal communities. Kelp forest communities showed spatial variation and were also likely influenced by a variety of other habitat characteristics, such as the relatively small patch sizes and/or ephemeral state of the remnant Macrocystis forests. Quantifying the community structure of these endangered communities informs the ecological changes that have occurred and will serve as an important reference for ongoing conservation and restoration activities.
Genetic erosion in a tropical tree species demonstrates the need to conserve wide-ranging germplasm amid extreme habitat fragmentation
Authors: Phang A. , Niissalo M.A. , Ruhsam M. , Pezzini F.F. , Neo W.L. , Burslem D.F.R.P. , Middleton D.J. , Wilkie P. , Khew G.S.
Published: May 2024

Comparing the genetic diversity across different generations within tropical tree populations is an understudied topic. To assess the potential genetic consequences and conservation implications of contemporary disturbances, a population genomic study of Palaquium obovatum across age classes was undertaken. Trees and juveniles were sampled from ten different localities (eight in Singapore, two in Peninsular Malaysia) and subjected to double digest restriction-site associated DNA-sequencing (ddRAD-seq) to assess intergenerational genetic differences and investigate population structure in a hexaploid lineage. Genetic erosion, characterised by reduced heterozygosity, was found to have occurred in almost all wild populations over time, the exceptions being in one isolated coastal population and some areas with cultivated occurences. Population structure was highly localised with the number of genetically distinct populations usually following geographically separated districts, which indicates limitations in pollen and seed dispersal between fragments, possibly due to declines in the associated assemblage of dispersers. For this reason, the germplasm for conserving species diversity in degraded habitats and forest fragments should be selected from a wide range of wild populations across the landscape.
Border militarization and domestic institutions
Authors: Goodman Nathan P.
Published: May 2024

The objective of this paper is to examine the impact of border policies and the increased militarization of border control practices on the expansion of police powers, the erosion of constitutional constraints and on other institutional spillovers. In recent decades, the Border Patrol has been integrated with the broader national security state as part of the war on drugs and the war on terror. This has entailed the acquisition of military hardware, the incorporation of organizational structures and training originally developed in the military, and increased interaction with the military, intelligence agencies, and defense contractors. The Border Patrol has frequently lent their equipment, personnel, and powers to domestic policing that has only a tangential relationship with border security. Border militarization therefore contributes to expansions in the scope of police powers and the erosion of constitutional constraints. This process undermines functional polycentricity, and thereby alters the incentives and knowledge of political decision-makers.
Predictive value of TCCD and regional cerebral oxygen saturation for detecting early postoperative brain injury
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhao Lin , Wang Xinlei , Wu Zhouquan
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study aims to analyze the risk factors for early postoperative brain injury in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery and explore the predictive value of transcranial color Doppler (TCCD) and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) for detecting early postoperative brain injury in cardiovascular surgery patients.

Methods

A total of 55 patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in Changzhou No.2 The People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included in this study. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) concentration was measured 24 h after operation. Patients were divided into brain injury (NSE ≥ 16.3 ng/mL) and normal (0 < NSE < 16.3 ng/mL) groups according to the measured NSE concentration. The clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared, including decreased rSO2 and cerebral blood flow (as measured by TCCD) levels. The risk factors of early postoperative brain injury were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and the significant variables were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

A total of 50 patients were included in this study, with 20 patients in the brain injury group and 30 patients in the normal group. Cardiopulmonary bypass time (min) (107 ± 29 vs. 90 ± 28, P = 0.047) and aortic occlusion time (min) (111 (IQR 81–127) vs. 87 (IQR 72–116), P = 0.010) were significantly longer in the brain injury group than in the normal group. Patients in the brain injury group had greater decreased rSO2 (%) (27.0 ± 7.3 vs. 17.5 ± 6.1, P < 0.001) and cerebral blood flow (%) (44.9 (IQR 37.8–69.2) vs. 29.1 (IQR 12.0–48.2), P = 0.004) levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that decreased rSO2 and cerebral blood flow levels, aortic occlusion time, and history of atrial fibrillation were independent risk factors for early postoperative brain injury (P < 0.05). ROC analysis reported that the best cutoff values for predicting early postoperative brain injury were 21.4% and 37.4% for decreased rSO2 and cerebral blood flow levels, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The decreased rSO2 and cerebral blood flow levels, aorta occlusion time, and history of atrial fibrillation were independent risk factors for early postoperative brain injury. TCCD and rSO2 could effectively monitor brain metabolism and cerebral blood flow and predict early postoperative brain injury.
Modeling of Deuteron-Induced Reactions on Molybdenum at Low Energies
Authors: Avrigeanu Marilena , Šimečková Eva , Mrázek Jaromir , Costache Cristian , Avrigeanu Vlad
Published: May 2024

The activities of the EUROfusion consortium on the development of high quality nuclear data for fusion applications include evaluations of deuteron induced reactions and related data libraries for needs of the DEMO fusion power plant and IFMIF-DONES neutron-source nuclear analyses. Molybdenum is one of the major constituents of the reference stainless steels used in critical components of these projects. While the TENDL deuteron data library was the current reference used by EUROfusion, need of its further improvement has already been pointed out. The weak binding energy of the deuteron is responsible for the high complexity of its interaction with nuclei, involving also a variety of reactions initiated by the nucleons following the deuteron breakup. Their analysis completed that of the deuteron interactions with Mo and its stable isotopes, from elastic scattering to pre-equilibrium and compound–nucleus reactions, up to 50 MeV. A particular attention has been paid to the breakup, stripping, and pick-up direct interactions which amount to around half of the deuteron total–reaction cross section. The due account of most experimental data has validated the present approach, highlighted some prevalent features, and emphasized weak points and consequently the need for modeling/evaluation upgrade.
Toward Sociotechnical AI: Mapping Vulnerabilities for Machine Learning in Context
Authors: Dobbe Roel , Wolters Anouk
Published: May 2024

This paper provides an empirical and conceptual account on seeing machine learning models as part of a sociotechnical system to identify relevant vulnerabilities emerging in the context of use. As ML is increasingly adopted in socially sensitive and safety-critical domains, many ML applications end up not delivering on their promises, and contributing to new forms of algorithmic harm. There is still a lack of empirical insights as well as conceptual tools and frameworks to properly understand and design for the impact of ML models in their sociotechnical context. In this paper, we follow a design science research approach to work towards such insights and tools. We center our study in the financial industry, where we first empirically map recently emerging MLOps practices to govern ML applications, and corroborate our insights with recent literature. We then perform an integrative literature research to identify a long list of vulnerabilities that emerge in the sociotechnical context of ML applications, and we theorize these along eight dimensions. We then perform semi-structured interviews in two real-world use cases and across a broad set of relevant actors and organizations, to validate the conceptual dimensions and identify challenges to address sociotechnical vulnerabilities in the design and governance of ML-based systems. The paper proposes a set of guidelines to proactively and integrally address both the dimensions of sociotechnical vulnerability, as well as the challenges identified in the empirical use case research, in the organization of MLOps practices.
Dictionary-based sentiment analysis of monetary policy communication: on the applicability of lexicons
Authors: Rutkowska Aleksandra , Szyszko Magdalena
Published: May 2024

In this study, we discuss central bank communication sentiments assessed using different dictionaries. Policy communication by monetary authorities is considered an essential additional policy tool. Various text-mining techniques could evaluate its sentiment. Dictionary methods are a prominent example here because they offer simplicity and are a starting point for applying more elaborate methods. We decided to test four lexicons: generic, economic and financial and two domain-specific lexicons to conclude on their applicability to assess the sentiments of monetary releases and provide recommendations for their further application. This study surveys four lexicons qualitatively and conducts a few exercises: lexicon content comparison, performance tests for highly positive and negative messages, and statistical tests of dictionary alignment and correlation. The sample covers small open economies implementing inflation targeting. The study concludes that all investigated dictionaries could be used for detecting central bank intentions: they do not return contradictory results. The choice among them for a particular study depends on the study’s setup and goals—as presented in our recommendations
“Humanity is another corporeity”: The evolution of human bodily appearance and sociality
Authors: Kee Hayden
Published: May 2024

Some accounts of human distinctiveness focus on anatomical features, such as bipedalism and brain size. Others focus on cognitive abilities, such as tool use and manufacture, language, and social cognition. Embodied approaches to cognition highlight the internal relations between these two groups of characteristics, arguing that cognition is rooted in and shaped by embodiment. This paper complements existing embodied approaches by focusing on an underappreciated aspect of embodiment: the appearance of the human body as condition of human sociality and cognition. I approach this issue through Merleau-Ponty’s understanding of the animate body as an intertwining of perceiving and perceivable aspects. The eye is both an animal’s embodied, perceptual openness onto the world, and the means by which that experiential openness can be perceived by others. The morphology and appearance of its embodiment condition how an animal comes to understand others and itself as animate subjects. I interpret the perceivable appearance of the human eye and skin in comparison with those of other animals. An underappreciated dimension of human distinctiveness, I argue, is the way the human sense organs render human perceiving comparatively more perceivable to conspecifics.
Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Expression in a Syngeneic Breast Cancer Mouse Model
Authors: Shirke Aditi A. , Wang Jing , Ramamurthy Gopolakrishnan , Mahanty Arpan , Walker Ethan , Zhang Lifang , Panigrahi Abhiram , Wang Xinning , Basilion James P.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been studied in human breast cancer (BCa) biopsies, however, lack of data on PSMA expression in mouse models impedes development of PSMA-targeted therapies, particularly in improving breast conserving surgery (BCS) margins. This study aimed to validate and characterize the expression of PSMA in murine BCa models, demonstrating that PSMA can be utilized to improve therapies and imaging techniques.

Methods

Murine triple negative breast cancer 4T1 cells, and human cell lines, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, implanted into the mammary fat pads of BALB/c mice, were imaged by our PSMA targeted theranostic agent, PSMA-1-Pc413, and tumor to background ratios (TBR) were calculated to validate selective uptake. Immunohistochemistry was used to correlate PSMA expression in relation to CD31, an endothelial cell biomarker highlighting neovasculature. PSMA expression was also quantified by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).

Results

Accumulation of PSMA-1-Pc413 was observed in 4T1 primary tumors and associated metastases. Average TBR of 4T1 tumors were calculated to be greater than 1.5—ratio at which tumor tissues can be distinguished from normal structures—at peak accumulation with the signal intensity in 4T1 tumors comparable to that in high PSMA expressing PC3-pip tumors. Extraction of 4T1 tumors and lung metastases followed by RT-PCR analysis and PSMA-CD31 co-staining shows that PSMA is consistently localized on tumor neovasculature with no expression in tumor cells and surrounding normal tissues.

Conclusion

The selective uptake of PSMA-1-Pc413 in these cancer tissues as well as the characterization and validation of PSMA expression on neovasculature in this syngeneic 4T1 model emphasizes their potential for advancements in targeted therapies and imaging techniques for BCa. PSMA holds great promise as an oncogenic target for BCa and its associated metastases.
Whole Institution Approach: measurable and highly effective in empowering learners and educators for sustainability
Authors: Holst Jorrit , Grund Julius , Brock Antje
Published: May 2024

Whole Institution Approaches (WIAs) to sustainability in education emphasize the strong link between the socio-physical environment and the learning processes and outcomes. However, there has been a lack of instruments for quantifying the implementation of WIAs based on the experience of learners and educators. In this article, we present the systematic development, pretesting, validation and first application of a novel WIA-Scale (learners: 13 items, educators: 15 items). As part of a large-scale assessment in Germany (school education, vocational education and higher education; n = 2,985), we apply the WIA-Scale and assess how WIAs are related to the effectiveness of sustainability learning. Based on extensive validation, the scale quality was evaluated as high. The application showed that young people who experience more sustainability in line with the WIA feel strongly more motivated and empowered by their educational institution to contribute to sustainability. Also, regression modeling revealed that WIA implementation is the strongest of various predictors of how sustainable learners act beyond the educational institution. Further, educators who experience more sustainability in line with the WIA feel considerably more motivated and report more sustainable behavior. They also view Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as more relevant and participate more frequently in training on ESD. For future use, we provide the WIA-Scale in its original version, a 7/8-item variant and a one-item proxy. The scale may be used as a process indicator for high-quality sustainability education and as part of organizational development. Overall, the study shows that experienced WIAs are measurable and highly effective for quality sustainability learning.
Ultrasonic mode conversion for in-line foam structure measurement in highly aerated batters using machine learning
Authors: Metzenmacher Michael , Pfaller Eva , Geier Dominik , Becker Thomas
Published: May 2024

An ultrasonic-based method was developed to enable in-line measurements of foam structure parameters for highly aerated batters by mode conversion. Biscuit batters were foamed to different degrees (density: 364–922 g/L) by varying the mixing head speed and pressure. Density and foam structure changes were detected by efficient offline analytics (nref measurement = 96). Ultrasonic signal data were recorded using two ultrasonic sensors attached to an industry-standard tube. Mode conversion effects in the ultrasonic signals were obtained to predict the rheological parameters of the batters. The frequency range in which surface waves are expected was particularly suitable for detecting rheological changes in highly aerated batters. An ultrasonic-based, online-capable method for process monitoring was implemented and established regarding feature selection in combination with machine learning and 5-fold cross-validation. The developed ultrasonic sensor system shows high accuracy for online density measurement (R2 = 0.98) and offers decent accuracy for measurements of foam structure parameters (Bubble count: R2 = 0.95, Relative span: R2 = 0.93, Sauter diameter: R2 = 0.83). The main benefit of this novel technique is that integrating ultrasonic signal features based on mode conversion leads to a robust foam structure analysis, which has the advantage of being retrofitable into existing processes.
Boric Acid in Milk Replacer as a Health Enhancer and Growth Promoter for Lambs in the Suckling Period
Authors: Uysal Soner , Yoruk Mehmet Akif
Published: May 2024

This study was performed to investigate the effects of boric acid supplementation in milk replacer of lambs in the suckling period on performance, biochemical parameters, the antioxidant system, fecal culture, and expression of some genes. During the suckling period, 60 lambs (4 days old) were randomly given four levels of boric acid (0, 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg body weight) via milk replacer for 57 days. The lambs supplemented with boric acid had a higher weight gain and better feed conversion ratio. Boric acid supplementation quadratically increased serum triglyceride, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, serum antioxidant activity and oxidative stress biomarkers, and fecal flora and decreased IL1β, IL10, iNOS, NF-kB, and TNF-α gene expressions. The effect of boric acid on rumen papilla development could not be determined since the animals were not slaughtered. In conclusion, the use of boric acid to lambs in the suckling period improved the average weekly body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency, positively affected some biochemical parameters, antioxidant system, and intestinal flora, and also affected gene expressions related to the immune system. Boric acid supplementation had a beneficial effect on the health and growth of suckling lambs.
Remarks on asymptotic isometric embeddings of conic transforms for torus actions
Authors: Galasso Andrea
Published: May 2024

Consider a Hodge manifold and assume that a torus acts on it in a Hamiltonian and holomorphic manner and that this action linearizes on a given quantizing line bundle. Inside the dual of the line bundle one can define the circle bundle, which is a strictly pseudoconvex CR manifold. Then, there is an associated unitary representation on the Hardy space of the circle bundle. Under suitable assumptions on the moment map, we consider certain loci in unit circle bundle, naturally associated to a ray through an irreducible weight. Their quotients are called conic transforms. We introduce maps which are asymptotic embeddings of conic transforms making use of the corresponding equivariant Szegő projector.
Resilience’s impact on quality of life and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients during treatment
Authors: Duran Songül , Varol Umut , Tekir Özlem , Soytürk Ahmet Hakan
Published: May 2024

Background

This article aims to examine how psychological resilience influences the interplay between quality of life and post-traumatic growth among breast cancer patients receiving follow-up care and treatment in Türkiye.

Methods

The study involved 119 female individuals diagnosed with breast cancer who visited the Oncology outpatient clinic at a state hospital in Türkiye from January to September 2023. Data were gathered through the administration of a survey form and the utilization of several assessment tools, including the Adult Life Quality Scale in Cancer Survivors (QLACS), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 25 software.

Results

The participants demonstrated an inverse correlation between Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) and two QLACS sub-dimensions, namely recurrence and family concern. Conversely, a positive association was identified between PTG and the advantages of dealing with cancer. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive association was established between BRS and all QLACS sub-dimensions, except for family concern and appearance. However, it was determined that psychological resilience did not act as a moderator in the relationship between PTG and QLACS.

Conclusion

It is important to enhance psychological resilience in women who have survived cancer at all stages of the cancer journey, including the years after treatment, to have a positive impact on post-traumatic growth and quality of life.