bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The gating properties of Drosophila NMJ glutamate receptors and their dependence on Neto
Authors: Han Tae Hee , Vicidomini Rosario , Ramos Cathy Isaura , Mayer Mark L. , Serpe Mihaela
Published: November 2024

The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a powerful genetic system that has revealed numerous conserved mechanisms for synapse development and homeostasis. The fly NMJ uses glutamate as the excitatory neurotransmitter and relies on kainate‐type glutamate receptors and their auxiliary protein Neto for synapse assembly and function. However, despite decades of study, the reconstitution of NMJ glutamate receptors using heterologous systems has been achieved only recently, and there are no reports on the gating properties for the recombinant receptors. Here, using outside‐out, patch clamp recordings and fast ligand application, we examine for the first time the biophysical properties of native type‐A and type‐B NMJ receptors in complexes with either Neto‐α or Neto‐β and compare them with recombinant receptors expressed in HEK293T cells. We found that type‐A and type‐B receptors have strikingly different gating properties that are further modulated by Neto‐α and Neto‐β. We captured single‐channel events and revealed major differences between type‐A and type‐B receptors and also between Neto splice variants. Surprisingly, we found that deactivation is extremely fast and that the decay of synaptic currents resembles the rate of ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) desensitization. The functional analyses of recombinant iGluRs that we report here should greatly facilitate the interpretation of compound in vivo phenotypes of mutant animals.

image

Key points

We report the reconstitution of Drosophila neuromuscular junction ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) with Neto splice forms.

Using outside‐out patches and fast ligand application, we examine the deactivation and desensitization of the four iGluR/Neto complexes found in vivo.

Expression of functional channels is absolutely dependent on Neto.

Single‐channel recordings revealed different lifetimes for different receptor complexes.

The decay of synaptic currents is controlled by desensitization.
A Validation Study on Dynamic Response and Failure Analysis of Large Unconfined Pipes Under Localized Blast Loading Using an Explicit Dynamic Approach
Authors: Prasitpuriprecha Nuttapoom , Namchantra Sirawit , Priyadumkol Jetsadaporn , Phengpom Tinnapob , Suvanjumrat Chakrit , Promtong Machimontorn
Published: November 2024

This study utilized an explicit dynamic approach to analyze the dynamic behavior of large-diameter pipes subjected to localized blast loading. The objective of the validation study was to investigate the effects of the explosion's blast force on the dynamic response and material behaviors in large-diameter pipes. The existing experimental data were benchmarked with the numerical results to assess the prediction accuracy. The crucial factors include the amount of the explosive mass (0.2–5.0 kg), the contact regions, and the wall thickness of the pipe (1.46 cm and 2.62 cm). As a result, the contact area significantly influenced the deformation range in each case, ranging from 50 to 400 cm2. The amount of explosive energy was crucial in determining the material response. For instance, deformations like pitting and spallation were found in the case when testing with less than 1.4 kg of TNT, whereas complete tearing in the central area was found in the case for higher explosive mass. With modest explosive mass, the pipe material underwent inelastic deformation. However, the material became vulnerable to adiabatic shearing failure when the explosive energy exceeded 1.4 kg in penetrating the 2.62 cm-thick walls. The difference between the simulations and experimental deformation (1.46-mm-thickness) was average at 8.5%, which presents an attractive tool. Therefore, this explicitdynamic tool will be used in subsequent research to study the responses of structural building systems to occasional explosion scenarios and capture the explosion fragments.
Fault Detection of Automotive Engine System Based on Canonical Variate Analysis Combined With Bhattacharyya Distance
Authors: Cheng Zhang , Yun-Fei Wang , Yu-Yu Lao , Yuan Li
Published: November 2024

Aiming at the nonlinear and dynamic characteristics of data in automotive engine systems, a fault detection method based on canonical variate analysis combined with Bhattacharyya distance (CVA-BD) is proposed in this paper. First, CVA is utilized to calculate the state space of the system data. Second, a sliding window is introduced in the state space to quantify the difference in data distribution within the window using Bhattacharyya distance, thereby constructing a novel statistical indicator. Finally, the control limit for statistical indicator is determined to achieve process monitoring of automotive engine systems. CVA-BD effectively enhances the performance of process monitoring by capturing the sequential correlation of data through CVA and eliminating the nonlinear impact between samples using similarity measurement metrics. Simulation experiments are conducted using a numerical case and experimental data from turbocharged spark ignition (TCSI) engines. The simulation results further confirm that, compared with principal component analysis (PCA), dynamic principal component analysis (DPCA), canonical variable analysis (CVA), dissimilar canonical variable analysis (CVDA), auto-encoder (AE), and stacked auto-encoder (SAE) CVA-BD has demonstrated an improvement of at least 41%.
Effect of Flow Distortions on Pin Fins in the Entry Region of Circular Channels
Authors: Lundburg Evan , Lynch Stephen , Lyall M. Eric
Published: November 2024

Utilizing heat transfer augmentation features at the inlet of aircraft engines as an additional heat sink requires further understanding of entry region heat transfer and flow field interactions. The effect of asymmetric flow fields or distortions on entry region heat transfer has not been studied. Typically, distortion screens are attached to the inlet of an engine to simulate non-ideal flow that occurs in flight. Because the addition of augmentation features will create a near-wall distortion that can impact downstream aircraft components, comparing entry region features to standard distortion screens can provide insight on the performance impact to aircraft engines. This study investigates the effect of inlet distortion screens on pin fin entry region heat transfer, in order to understand if flow field disturbances disrupt the benefits of augmented entry region heat transfer. In addition, the superposition of the distortion caused by pin fin features onto a screen distorted smooth entry region is also tested. Three distortion screens are investigated with pin fin arrays: tip, hub, and an asymmetric aircraft distortion, each based on SAE standard designs. Reynolds numbers ranging from 1.5 × 105 to 3.50 × 105 are investigated. From this study, inlet heat transfer augmentation due to pin fins is not significantly impacted by inlet distortion flowfields. This is due to the near-wall boundary layer impact of augmentation features overshadowing the effect of distortion. Due to the insensitivity of the near-wall boundary layer for pin fin arrays with distortions, superimposing the smooth entry region distorted flow with the non-distorted pin fin array flow provides an adequate estimate of the flow field of the pin fin array with a distorted inlet.
Role of Hip Internal Rotation Range and Foot Progression Angle for Preventing Jones Fracture During Crossover Cutting
Authors: Kikuchi Yudai , Takabayashi Tomoya , Kikumoto Takanori , Watanabe Takahiro , Suzuki Syunsuke , Hiratsuka Shiori , Kubo Masayoshi
Published: November 2024

Jones fracture is a common injury in soccer players, caused by overload on the fifth metatarsal (M5) that can occur during crossover cutting. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the hip internal rotation (HIR) range in passive and dynamic conditions and foot progression angle (FPA) on the forces applied to the M5 during crossover cutting. The study included 20 men with experience playing soccer. The passive HIR was measured in the prone position. A 3-dimensional motion analysis system, force plates, and Footscan were used to measure the angle of the lower limb, including dynamic HIR, FPA, and plantar pressure to the M5, during crossover cutting in the 45° direction. Pearson correlation coefficient was measured to examine the relationship between variables. Passive and dynamic HIR were not related to the plantar pressure on the M5 (P > .05). However, increased FPA in movement direction correlated with a reduction in plantar pressure on the M5 (r = −.56, P < .01). Minimizing the FPA with respect to the new direction during crossover cutting reduced plantar pressure on the M5 and thus could prevent Jones fracture.
Progression of ocean interior acidification over the industrial era
Authors: Müller Jens D. , Gruber Nicolas
Published: November 2024

Ocean acidification driven by the uptake of anthropogenic CO
2
represents a major threat to ocean ecosystems, yet little is known about its progression beneath the surface. Here, we reconstruct the history of ocean interior acidification over the industrial era on the basis of observation-based estimates of the accumulation of anthropogenic carbon. Across the top 100 meters and from 1800 to 2014, the saturation state of aragonite (Ω
arag
) and pH = −log[H
+
] decreased by more than 0.6 and 0.1, respectively, with nearly 50% of the progression occurring over the past 20 years. While the magnitude of the Ω
arag
change decreases uniformly with depth, the magnitude of the [H
+
] increase exhibits a distinct maximum in the upper thermocline. Since 1800, the saturation horizon (Ω
arag
= 1) shoaled by more than 200 meters, approaching the euphotic zone in several regions, especially in the Southern Ocean, and exposing many organisms to corrosive conditions.
Real-time evaluation of macozinone activity against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
through bacterial nanomotion analysis
Authors: Vocat Anthony , Luraschi-Eggemann Amanda , Antoni Claudia , Cathomen Gino , Cichocka Danuta , Greub Gilbert , Riabova Olga , Makarov Vadim , Opota Onya , Mendoza Alfonso , Cole Stewart T. , Sturm Alexander
Published: November 2024

Novel drugs and improved diagnostics for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB) are urgently needed and go hand in hand. We evaluated the
in vitro
activity of two benzothiazinone drug candidates (MCZ, PBTZ169; BTZ043) and their main metabolites against MTB using advanced nanomotion technology. The results demonstrated significant reductions in MTB viability within 7 h, indicating the potential for rapid, precise antibiotic susceptibility testing based on a phenotypic read-out in real time. PBTZ169 and H
2
-PBTZ169 achieved 100% separation between the susceptible H37Rv and a resistant
dprE1
mutant strain NTB1. These findings support nanomotion technology’s potential for faster antibiotic susceptibility testing of novel MTB drug candidates targeting the DprE1 enzyme that could reduce empirical treatment duration and antibiotic resistance selection pressure due to inaccurate treatments.
Spring viremia of carp virus infection induces hypoxia response in zebrafish by stabilizing hif1α
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Zhu Chunchun , Sun Xueyi , Deng Hongyan , Liu Wen , Jia Shuke , Bai Yao , Xiao Wuhan , Liu Xing
Published: November 2024

The hypoxia signaling pathway controls hypoxia adaptation and tolerance of organisms, which is regulated by multiple mechanisms. Viral infection elicits various pathophysiological responses in the host. However, whether viral infection can affect the hypoxia response is not yet fully understood. In this study, we found that Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) infection in zebrafish caused symptoms similar to those in zebrafish under hypoxic conditions. Further assays indicated that SVCV infection activated the hypoxia signaling pathway in zebrafish. In addition, SVCV infection caused increased glycolysis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cells. Mechanistically, SVCV-G protein interacted with hif1α-a/b and attenuated their K48-linked polyubiquitination, leading to their stabilization and subsequent enhancement of target gene expression. Moreover, treatment with the HIF1α-specific inhibitor PX478 enhanced the antiviral ability against SVCV infection in zebrafish and zebrafish cells. This study reveals a relationship between SVCV infection and the hypoxia signaling pathway in fish and provides a strategy for reducing the damage of viral disease in the aquaculture industry.

IMPORTANCE

Viral infection triggers various pathophysiological responses in the host. The hypoxia signaling pathway controls hypoxia adaptation and tolerance of organisms. However, whether viral infection can affect the hypoxia response is not yet fully understood. This study showed that Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) infection activated the hypoxia signaling pathway and induced a hypoxia response. The SVCV-G protein interacted with hif1α-a/b and reduced their K48-linked polyubiquitination, leading to their stabilization and subsequent enhancement of target gene expression. Additionally, treatment with the HIF1α-specific inhibitor PX478 enhanced the antiviral ability against SVCV infection in zebrafish and zebrafish cells. Our findings not only reveal a relationship between SVCV infection and the hypoxia signaling pathway in fish but also provide a strategy for reducing the damage of viral disease in the aquaculture industry.
CaMKII-dependent non-canonical RIG-I pathway promotes influenza virus propagation in the acute-phase of infection
Authors: Hama Shinichiro , Watanabe-Takahashi Miho , Nishimura Hiroki , Omi Jumpei , Tamada Masakazu , Saitoh Takashi , Maenaka Katsumi , Okuda Yuta , Ikegami Aoi , Kitagawa Asami , Furuta Koudai , Izumi Kana , Shimizu Eiko , Nishizono Takashi , Fujiwara Makoto , Miyasaka Tomohiro , Takamori Shigeo , Takayanagi Hiroshi , Nishikawa Keizo , Kobayashi Toshihiko , Toyama-Sorimachi Noriko , Yamashita Makoto , Senda Toshiya , Hirokawa Takatsugu , Bito Haruhiko , Nishikawa Kiyotaka
Published: November 2024

Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is one of hundreds of host-cell factors involved in the propagation of type A influenza virus (IAV), although its mechanism of action is unknown. Here, we identified CaMKII inhibitory peptide M3 by targeting its kinase domain using affinity-based screening of a tailored random peptide library. M3 inhibited IAV cytopathicity and propagation in cells by specifically inhibiting the acute-phase activation of retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), which is uniquely regulated by CaMKII. Downstream of the RIG-I pathway activated TBK1 and then IRF3, which induced small but sufficient amounts of transcripts of the genes for IFN α/β to provide the capped 5’-ends that were used preferentially as primers to synthesize viral mRNAs by the cap-snatching mechanism. Importantly, knockout of
RIG-I
in cells almost completely inhibited the expression of IFN mRNAs and subsequent viral NP mRNA early in infection (up to 6 h after infection), which then protected cells from cytopathicity 24 h after infection. Thus, CaMKII-dependent acute-phase activation of RIG-I promoted IAV propagation, whereas the canonical RIG-I pathway stimulated antiviral activity by inducing large amounts of mRNA for IFNs and then for antiviral proteins later in infection. Co-administration of M3 with IAV infection rescued mice from the lethality and greatly reduced proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in the lung, indicating that M3 is highly effective against IAV
in vivo
. Thus, regulation of the CaMKII-dependent non-canonical RIG-I pathway may provide a novel host-factor-directed antiviral therapy.

IMPORTANCE

The recent emergence of IAV strains resistant to commonly used therapeutic agents that target viral proteins has exacerbated the need for innovative strategies. Here, we originally identified CaMKII-inhibitory peptide M3, which efficiently inhibits IAV-lethality
in vitro
and
in vivo
. M3 specifically inhibited the acute-phase activation of RIG-I, which is a novel pathway to promote IAV propagation. Thus, this pathway acts in an opposite manner compared with the canonical RIG-I pathway, which plays essential roles in antiviral innate immune response later in infection. The CaMKII-dependent non-canonical RIG-I pathway can be a promising and novel drug target for the treatment of infections.
Importance of benzoyltransferase GcnE and lysine benzoylation of alcohol dehydrogenase AdhB in pathogenesis and aflatoxin production in
Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Chen Xuan , Wu Lihan , Zhang Yuqi , Wang Sen , Wang Shihua
Published: November 2024

Lysine benzoylation (Kbz) is a newly identified post-translational modification associated with active transcription and metabolism in eukaryotes. However, whether Kbz exists in pathogenic fungi and its function remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that Kbz is present in
Aspergillus flavus
and identified 60 benzoylated sites on 46 benzoylated proteins by global benzoylome analysis. Our data demonstrated that alcohol dehydrogenase B (AdhB) is regulated by benzoylation on lysine 321 (K321), and mutations of Kbz site in AdhB significantly reduced the alcohol dehydrogenase activity
in vivo
and
in vitro
. Both
adhB
deletion mutant and benzoylated site mutants (K321R and K321A) exhibited similar phenotype, including decreased conidiation and seed colonization, increased sclerotia formation and aflatoxin production, and more sensitive to cell wall damage stress. We also found that GcnE has benzoyltransferase activity
in vitro
and
in vivo
, and its repression leads to decreased Kbz level and enzymatic activity of AdhB. The catalytic site E139 is important for the benzoyltransferase function of GcnE. Our study uncovers a previously unknown mechanism by which benzoylation regulates AdhB activity to affect the development, secondary metabolism, pathogenicity, and stress response of
A. flavus
. Meanwhile, it points out the important role of Kbz in the pathogenicity of pathogenic fungi.

IMPORTANCE

Aspergillus flavus
is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen of plants and animals, which produces carcinogenic and toxic secondary metabolite aflatoxin.
A. flavus
and aflatoxin contamination have emerged as a global food safety concern. Currently, post-translational modification plays crucial modulatory roles in the fungal development and virulence, but the role of benzoylation in fungal pathogenicity remains undetermined, which limits the development of prevention and control technique. Here, we first identified 46 benzoylated proteins in
A. flavus
, and found that benzoyltransferase GcnE exerted effects on pathogenicity and aflatoxin production by regulating the benzoylation of AdhB. This finding not only provided valuable information for prevention and control of
A. flavus
contamination, but also offered basic knowledge for investigation of the regulation mechanism of secondary metabolism in other fungi.
A catalog of metagenomes and metagenome-assembled genomes from culture-enrichment microcosms containing polyethylene as carbon source
Authors: Chigwada Aubrey Dickon , Ogola Henry Joseph Oduor , Tekere Memory
Published: November 2024

We present a data set detailing enrichment microbial consortia degrading polyethylene (PE) plastic. Derived from 180-day microcosm incubations using landfill soil, seawater, and cow dung, the data set includes three metagenomes and 23 metagenome-assembled genomes that capture microbial community interactions, structures, and functions relevant to PE biodegradation.
Whole-genome sequence of
Metarhizium anisopliae
JEF-157 against Asian tiger mosquito larvae (
Aedes albopictus
)
Authors: Kim Heo Ri , Kim Jae Su , Lee Se Jin
Published: November 2024

Metarhizium anisopliae
JEF-157, one of the biological control agents, was obtained from the Insect Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory at Jeonbuk National University. Herein, we report the whole genome of JEF-157, which has pathogenicity against Asian tiger mosquito larvae. The genome has 13,725 genes with a length of 17,719,696 bp.
Supplemental Material: Radiogenic heat production provides a thermal threshold for Archean cratonization process
Authors: Korhonen Fawna J. , al. et
Published: November 2024

Details of geochemistry classification, analytical details for metamorphic data, details on heat production calculations, thermal modeling, Tables S1–S8, and Figures S1–S7.  
Two siblings with triple A syndrome
Authors: Waddankeri Swaraj , Waddankeri Meenakshi , Arora Kshitij
Published: November 2024

Triple A syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder presenting as adrenal insufficiency, achalasia and alacrima, often accompanied by neurological complications. We present the cases of two siblings, a girl (patient 1) and a boy (patient 2) in their early adolescence, born from a consanguineous marriage. At the age of 4, patient 1 developed progressive dysphagia when consuming both solid and liquid foods, while patient 2 began displaying abnormal gait by 2 years. Both siblings were confirmed to have alacrima and achalasia. Endocrinological assessments unveiled adrenal insufficiency and resistance to adrenocorticotropin hormone, and genetic analysis revealed a homozygous pathogenic variant of the achalasia-adrenal insufficiency-alacrima syndrome gene. Clinical suspicion of triple A syndrome and early investigation on onset of alacrima are essential for prompt diagnosis and management.
Polymicrobial lower extremity necrotising fasciitis in a young toddler with sepsis
Authors: Nordstrom Nicholas Kenneth , Miranda Madison , Seifarth Federico G , Drews Joseph David
Published: November 2024

This is a case of a female toddler presenting with a minor injury to the right lower extremity with progressively worsening erythema and oedema. Initial workup revealed elevated inflammatory markers and imaging with significant soft tissue gas. The overall clinical presentation was highly suggestive of a necrotising soft tissue infection. The patient was expeditiously managed with fluid resuscitation, intravenous antibiotics and admission to intensive care. The patient required multiple operative interventions for excisional debridement of grossly necrotic soft tissue and fascia with eventual achievement of healthy wound margins amenable to reconstruction with skin grafting.
Diabetes and suicide: a nationwide longitudinal cohort study among the Japanese working-age population
Authors: Komura Yoshikazu , Inoue Kosuke , Ishimura Nana , Taura Daisuke , Harada Norio , Inagaki Nobuya , Kondo Naoki
Published: November 2024

Background

Although the mental health burden of diabetes has received substantial attention, there is limited evidence on whether the risk of suicide—a severe consequence of mental health problems—increases among individuals with diabetes. Therefore, this study investigated the association between diabetes and suicide in Japan.

Methods

This nationwide longitudinal cohort study included adults aged 18–74 years, who were enrolled in the Japan Health Insurance Association’s health insurance programme between 2015 and 2022. Individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes were matched in a 1:1 ratio with those without diabetes, based on age and sex. We employed multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to estimate the hazard ratios for suicide in relation to the diagnosis of diabetes, adjusting for potential confounders, such as sociodemographic characteristics, history of psychiatric disorders, physical measurements, health behaviours and laboratory data.

Results

Among 4 210 272 individuals in the matched-pair cohort, we observed 337 deaths by suicide among those with diabetes and 250 deaths by suicide among those without diabetes. After conditioning on potential confounders, diabetes diagnosis was linked to an increased risk of suicide (HR (95% CI) = 1.25 (1.06 to 1.47)). The association tended to be larger among those aged younger than 40 years and among women (among those aged 18–39 years, HR=1.69 (95% CI 1.05 to 2.73); among women, HR=1.56 (95% CI 0.92 to 2.64)).

Conclusion

Diabetes diagnosis may increase suicide risk among the working-age population, even after conditioning on potential confounders. Our findings underscore the importance of psychosocial support following a diagnosis.
Health characteristics and health behaviours in male former contact sports participants: comparison with general population controls in a Finnish cohort study
Authors: Batty G David , Bell Steven , Kujala Urho M , Sarna Seppo J , Kaprio Jaakko
Published: November 2024

Background

Athletes who have a history of participation in contact sports appear to subsequently experience elevated rates of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia but have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and selected cancers. We quantified the occurrence of little-examined cardiometabolic and mental health outcomes, plus associated lifestyle factors, in a group of former contact sports athletes and a general population sample.

Methods

In this cohort study, male former elite athletes active between 1920 and 1965 in soccer (N=303), boxing (N=281), and wrestling (N=318) were recruited using sports yearbooks and the administrative records of sports associations. A population control group was identified using data from a compulsory medical examination (N=1712). All study members were linked to hospital registers (1970–2015) and a self-completion questionnaire was circulated in 1985.

Results

Across 12 health outcomes, the general pattern of association was null. On the few occasions when statistically significant differences did occur, there were in fact more favourable health characteristics and behaviours in former athletes. For instance, in comparison to population controls, we found a lower prevalence of ever having smoked cigarettes in all contact sports groups (range in odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 0.32 (0.21, 0.48) to 0.52 (0.36, 0.75)).

Conclusion

In this study, male retired contact sports athletes had similar cardiometabolic and mental health profiles to those of population controls.
Trends in physical fitness among Lithuanian adolescents aged 11–17 years between 1992 and 2022
Authors: Emeljanovas Arunas , Mieziene Brigita , Venckunas Tomas , Lang Justin J , Tomkinson Grant R
Published: November 2024

Background

Physical fitness is an excellent marker of general health and performance. We aimed to calculate trends in physical fitness among Lithuanian adolescents between 1992 and 2022.

Methods

Using a repeated cross-sectional design, body size and physical fitness data for 17 918 Lithuanian adolescents (50.3% female) aged 11–17 years were collected in 1992, 2002, 2012 and 2022. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured height and body mass, with BMI z-scores (zBMI) calculated using WHO growth curves. Physical fitness was measured using the Eurofit test battery, with results converted to z-scores using European norms. With adjustment for zBMI, trends in mean fitness levels were calculated using general linear models. Trends in distributional characteristics were visually described and calculated as the ratio of SDs.

Results

We found significant large declines (standardised effect size (ES) ≥ 0.80) in 20-m shuttle run and bent arm hang performance, and significant small declines (ES=0.20–0.49) in standing broad jump, plate tapping, sit-and-reach and sit-ups performance. In contrast, we found a significant moderate improvement (ES=0.50–0.79) in flamingo balance performance and a significant negligible improvement (ES<0.20) in 10×5-m shuttle run performance. Poorer trends were observed in low performers (below the 20th percentile) compared with high performers (above the 80th percentile).

Conclusion

Health-related fitness (ie, cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness) levels have declined among Lithuanian adolescents since 1992, particularly among those with low fitness. National health promotion policies are required to improve current trends.
Towards an ethics of pronatalism in South Korea (and beyond)
Authors: Lee JY
Published: November 2024

East Asian countries such as South Korea have recently made headlines for experimenting with different methods to incentivise people to have (more) children, in a bid to reverse declining birth rates. Many such incentives—child benefits, cash bonuses, dating events, and so on—appear morally innocuous at first glance. I will demonstrate in this analysis, however, that they amount to stopgap measures which reveal fundamental shortcomings with the way various nation states are approaching the so-called ‘problem’ of fertility decline.
It is not about autonomy: realigning the ethical debate on substitute judgement and AI preference predictors in healthcare
Authors: Annoni Marco
Published: November 2024

This article challenges two dominant assumptions in the current ethical debate over the use of algorithmic Personalised Patient Preference Predictors (P4) in substitute judgement for incapacitated patients. First, I question the belief that the autonomy of a patient who no longer has decision-making capacity can be meaningfully respected through a P4-empowered substitute judgement. Second, I critique the assumption that respect for autonomy can be reduced to merely satisfying a patient’s individual treatment preferences. Both assumptions, I argue, are problematic: respect for autonomy cannot be equated with simply delivering the ‘right’ treatments, and expanding the normative scope of agency beyond first-person decisions creates issues for standard clinical decision-making. I suggest, instead, that the development of these algorithmic tools can be justified by achieving other moral goods, such as honouring a patient’s unique identity or reducing surrogate decision-makers’ burdens. This conclusion, I argue, should reshape the ethical debate around not just the future development and use of P4-like systems, but also on how substitute judgement is currently understood and justified in clinical medicine.
On interpreters: the ethics of interpreter use in general practice
Authors: Armitage Richard
Published: November 2024

In the absence of language congruency between patient and general practitioner (GP), the use of an interpreter is essential for a safe and effective clinical consultation. A substantial proportion of individuals living in the UK lack sufficient command of the English language to allow direct communication with their GP. Interpreters in UK general practice can be classified into three major categories: Casual, professional in-person and professional telephone interpreters. The use of casual interpreters threatens the safety and quality of care provided in interpreted consultations, increases the potential for safeguarding concerns to go unrecognised by the GP, poses a potential legal risk to the GP and is burdensome for and potentially harmful to the relatives, friends and carers who act as such interpreters. The use of professional in-person interpreters greatly improves the safety and quality of care above that of casually interpreted consultations, increases the probability that safeguarding concerns will be recognised by the GP, avoids the legal risk inherent to casually interpreted consultations, is neither burdensome nor potentially harmful to accompanying relatives, friends and carers or the interpreter and permits interpreter continuity while generating a small non-clinical opportunity cost borne by administrative staff. The use of professional telephone interpreters shares the same advantages as the use of professional in-person interpreters but prevents interpreter continuity and generates a large clinical opportunity cost borne by other patients. The paper also explores ethical challenges that are common to the use of all major categories of interpreter and offers four policy recommendations in light of the analysis.
A class of Taub-NUT-scalar metrics via Ehlers transformations
Authors: Derekeh Ali , Mirza Behrouz , Heidari Pouya , Sadeghi Fatemeh , Bahani Reza
Published: November 2024

We derive a class of Taub-NUT metrics in the presence of a scalar field (TNS) by using Ernst equations and potential, as well as using Ehlers transformations on the exact solutions that was recently introduced in Azizallahi et al. (Nucl Phys B 998:116414, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2023.116414, arXiv:2307.09328 [gr-qc], 2023) and Mirza et al. (Eur Phys J C 83:1161, https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-023-12255-7, arXiv:2307.13588 [gr-qc], 2023). Furthermore, we investigate the effective potential, geodesics, topological charge, quasinormal modes (QNMs) and the deflection angle of light in a gravitational lensing for the obtained class of TNS metrics. We also use conformal transformations to generate a new class of exact solutions of the Einstein-conformal-scalar theory by using the obtained TNS solutions as seed metrics. Finally we compare QNMs of the class of exact solutions.
Nonresonant renormalization scheme for twist-2 operators in SU(N) Yang–Mills theory
Authors: Scardino Francesco
Published: November 2024

Recently, the short-distance asymptotics of the generating functional of n-point correlators of twist-2 operators in SU(N) Yang–Mills (YM) theory has been worked out in Bochicchio et al. (Phys Rev D 108:054023, 2023). The above computation relies on a basis change of renormalized twist-2 operators, where $$-\gamma (g)/ \beta (g)$$

-
γ
(
g
)
/
β
(
g
)

reduces to $$\gamma _0/ (\beta _0\,g)$$

γ
0

/

(

β
0

g
)

to all orders of perturbation theory, with $$\gamma _0$$

γ
0

diagonal, $$\gamma (g) = \gamma _0 g^2+\cdots $$

γ

(
g
)

=

γ
0

g
2

+
⋯

the anomalous-dimension matrix and $$\beta (g) = -\beta _0 g^3+\cdots $$

β

(
g
)

=
-

β
0

g
3

+
⋯

the beta function. The construction is based on a novel geometric interpretation of operator mixing (Bochicchio in Eur Phys J C 81:749, 2021), under the assumption that the eigenvalues of the matrix $$\gamma _0/ \beta _0$$

γ
0

/

β
0

satisfy the nonresonant condition $$\lambda _i-\lambda _j\ne 2k$$

λ
i

-

λ
j

≠
2
k

, with $$\lambda _i$$

λ
i

in nonincreasing order and $$k\in {\mathbb {N}}^+$$

k
∈

N

+

. The nonresonant condition has been numerically verified up to $$i,j=10^4$$

i
,
j
=

10
4

in Bochicchio et al. (Phys Rev D 108:054023, 2023). In the present paper we provide a number theoretic proof of the nonresonant condition for twist-2 operators essentially based on the classic result that Harmonic numbers are not integers. Our proof in YM theory can be extended with minor modifications to twist-2 operators in $$\mathcal {N}=1$$

N
=
1

SUSY YM theory, large-N QCD with massless quarks and massless QCD-like theories.
Thirty Years of Quantum Computing
Authors: Dyakonov Mikhail I.
Published: November 2024

The possibility of building a quantum computer is critically analyzed. The main point is that the general state of the hypothetical quantum computer with N qubits is characterized by 2N quantum amplitudes, which are complex numbers restricted by the normalization condition only. It looks highly improbable that it will ever be possible to keep under our control this number of complex parameters even for modest values of [Formula: see text] 50 or 100.
Visibility Graph Analysis of Crude Oil Futures Markets: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Russia–Ukraine Conflict
Authors: Yang Yan-Hong , Liu Ying-Lin , Shao Ying-Hui
Published: November 2024

This paper adopts the visibility graph (VG) methodology to analyze the dynamic behavior of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), Brent and Shanghai (SC) crude oil futures during the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia–Ukraine conflict. Utilizing daily and high-frequency data, our study reveals a clear power-law decay in VG degree distributions and highlights pronounced clustering tendencies within crude oil futures VGs. We also uncover an inverse correlation between clustering coefficients and node degrees, further identifying that all VGs adhere not only to the small-world property but also exhibit intricate assortative mixing. Through the time-varying characteristics of VGs, we observe that WTI and Brent demonstrate aligned behaviors, while the SC market, with its unique trading mechanisms, deviates. Notably, the five-minute assortativity coefficient provides deep insights into the markets reactions to these global challenges, underscoring the distinct sensitivity of each market.
*-Symmetric rings
Authors: Wang Xinran , Fan Suting , Wei Junchao
Published: November 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a ∗-ring. Then [Formula: see text] is called a ∗-symmetric ring if for any [Formula: see text] implies [Formula: see text] Obviously, ∗-symmetric ring is certainly symmetric ring, while ∗-ring and symmetric ring does not equal ∗-symmetric ring. Even though reduced rings are symmetric, reduced rings need not be ∗-symmetric ring. In this paper, we further add some conditions for symmetric ring to be ∗-symmetric and reduced. As an application, we discover if [Formula: see text] be a ∗-symmetric ring, then [Formula: see text] Also, we expand the definition of ∗-symmetric ring to different combinations of [Formula: see text]. The properties of ∗-symmetric ring play a role in generalized inverses of elements in rings.
On a deformed Jordan triple system
Authors: Elgendy Hader A.
Published: November 2024

We define a deformed Jordan triple system by the polynomial identities obtained by Bremner and Peresi of degree 3 and 5 satisfied by the deformed Jordan operation [Formula: see text] as a trilinear operation on associative algebra. We determine the Peirce decomposition of this deformed Jordan triple system with respect to a tripotent and determine the multiplication rules of the Peirce spaces. We also use the theory of noncommutative Gröbner basis to study the universal associative envelopes of some examples of deformed Jordan triple systems. We conclude this paper with conjectures and an open problem for further research.
Hamming index of product graphs
Authors: Harshitha A. , D’souza Sabitha
Published: November 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a simple graph of order [Formula: see text]. The adjacency matrix of [Formula: see text] is a square matrix of order [Formula: see text], whose elements are [Formula: see text], if the corresponding vertices are adjacent and [Formula: see text], if the corresponding vertices are non-adjacent. Each row of the adjacency matrix is called as a string. The Hamming distance between two strings [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the number of positions at which their values differ. The sum of Hamming distances between each pair of vertices is the Hamming index of underlying graph. In this paper, the Hamming indices of different product graphs are obtained.
Toxicity Assessment of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Emphasizing Biological Factors in Nano-Bio Interactions
Authors: Emmanuel Odongo Ernest , Kwak Eunbi , Chen Qian , Peng Guotao
Published: November 2024

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are emerging as promising drug delivery systems due to their tunable physicochemical properties. However, concerns regarding their toxicity across different biological environments remain elusive. This review delves into the complex interactions between MSNs and various model systems, examining the resulting toxicological effects. In particular, within the tumor microenvironment, the hyperacidic microenvironment and altered glucose metabolism in cancer cells influence the biological outcomes of MSNs compared to normal cells. The immunomodulatory effects by MSNs, such as macrophages polarization and dendritic cells activation, are discussed. Moreover,in vivo studies using both wild-type and transgenic models highlight species- and organ-specific toxicities, particularly impacting the liver and kidneys. However, the potential epigenetic effects of these altered genes, as well as the characterization of the biotransformation processes of MSNs within various biological microenvironments, remain underexplored. These findings underscore the need for a thorough understanding of nano-bio interactions and the role of biological factors — such as exposure routes and species differences — in assessing MSNs safety. Furthermore, the need to refine model systems to better mimic human physiological conditions and assess the long-term effects of MSNs is underlined. Ultimately, a comprehensive understanding of the structure–activity relationships of MSNs within diverse biological systems is crucial for mitigating risks and minimizing off-target effects in biomedical applications.
The role of structural compartmentalization in carbon storage site selection in Permian (Rotliegend Group) reservoirs in the Southern North Sea
Authors: Mears Ellen M. , Underhill John R. , de Jonge-Anderson Iain
Published: November 2024

The Southern North Sea gas basin is a key area for CO
2
storage projects in the UK. Many of the now-depleted Permian (Rotliegend) Leman Sandstone Formation fields are being re-evaluated as carbon stores. However, the reservoir is known to be highly faulted, often leading to field compartmentalization. This has historically impacted field development and production, and will challenge suitability for CO
2
storage by limiting site capacity, requiring a high number of injector wells, and increasing capital costs. It is necessary to understand the nature of these pressure compartments – and whether any individual culmination can house sufficient capacity – before devising a carbon storage development programme. The highly compartmentalized Indefatigable Field was evaluated as a case study. A static model of the field was constructed using 3D seismic and well log data, and subsequently used to calculate the CO
2
capacity of each of the 12 compartments. Five compartments were found to have capacities larger than 10 Mt, with the large Main Horst found to host 51% of total CO
2
capacity. A sequential filling-and-sealing storage site development plan is suggested based on the evaluation and ranking of these compartments.
Arabia Felix: Fookes in the desert
Authors: Lee E. Mark , Sweeney Mike , Clarke Jim
Published: November 2024

Peter Fookes’ background in chemistry, allied with his understanding of geo-materials and desert terrain, allowed him to make an important contribution in the development of hot salty desert concrete technology from the 1970s onwards. Through his consultancy work across the Middle East, Peter recognized that widespread premature concrete deterioration was found, at least in part, to be associated with the presence of chloride salts, either introduced by contaminated aggregates or mix water, or due to salt weathering. In 1992 Peter was made an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Concrete Technology.

In the 1970s he was instrumental in setting up the Bahrain Surface Materials Resources Survey, opening the door for a generation of desert geomorphologists to contribute to the development boom that followed in the Middle East. On the award of an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society in 2003 he was described by Professor Sir Ron Cooke as ‘a true father of engineering geomorphology’. In later years he helped the oil and gas industry address the geohazard challenges posed by routing major pipelines through deserts across the Sahara and in Arabia.
3D geological modelling to support an environmental safety case in the nuclear sector
Authors: Pavey Amber , Timms Rhys , Hampson Matthew , Jones Neil , Shevelan John , Coleman Christopher
Published: November 2024

The Low Level Waste Repository in west Cumbria requires, as part of their environmental safety case, a geological model to support hydrogeological understanding and future development of the site. A range of legacy data accrued over the last 60 years exists which is characterized by variable data collection methods, formats, and quality. The geological model development process is atypical due to this large body of existing data and the requirements of the environmental safety case (ESC), resulting in an initial, primarily observational digital geological model. Outlined here is the approach undertaken for geological model development and includes terminology and data management practices, and considers the role of conceptualization and its direct application to the observational 3D digital model when there is significant existing observational data. Sites with significant legacy data and atypical requirements may be more common in the future, as more site investigations are completed and data are shared. The process applied is a development of Peter Fookes’ work, highlighting the importance of the conceptual model, but that application of conceptual ideas to the development of 3D digital geological models may look different in a world of increasing observational data.
Correct and Complete Type Checking and Certified Erasure for
Coq
, in
Coq
Authors: Sozeau Matthieu , Forster Yannick , Lennon-Bertrand Meven , Nielsen Jakob , Tabareau Nicolas , Winterhalter Théo
Published: November 2024

Coq
is built around a well-delimited kernel that performs type checking for definitions in a variant of the Calculus of Inductive Constructions (
CIC
). Although the metatheory of
CIC
is very stable and reliable, the correctness of its implementation in
Coq
is less clear. Indeed, implementing an efficient type checker for
CIC
is a rather complex task, and many parts of the code rely on implicit invariants which can easily be broken by further evolution of the code. Therefore, on average, one critical bug has been found every year in
Coq
. This article presents the first implementation of a type checker for the kernel of
Coq
(without the module system, template polymorphism and η-conversion), which is proven sound and complete in
Coq
with respect to its formal specification. Note that because of Gödel’s second incompleteness theorem, there is no hope to prove completely the soundness of the specification of
Coq
inside
Coq
(in particular strong normalization), but it is possible to prove the correctness and completeness of the implementation assuming soundness of the specification, thus moving from a trusted code base (TCB) to a trusted theory base (TTB) paradigm. Our work is based on the
MetaCoq
project which provides meta-programming facilities to work with terms and declarations at the level of the kernel. We verify a relatively efficient type checker based on the specification of the typing relation of the Polymorphic, Cumulative Calculus of Inductive Constructions (
PCUIC
) at the basis of
Coq
. It is worth mentioning that during the verification process, we have found a source of incompleteness in
Coq
’s official type checker, which has then been fixed in
Coq
8.14 thanks to our work. In addition to the kernel implementation, another essential feature of
Coq
is the so-called
extraction
mechanism: the production of executable code in functional languages from
Coq
definitions. We present a verified version of this subtle type and proof erasure step, therefore enabling the verified extraction of a safe type checker for
Coq
in the future.