bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insulin decreases epileptiform activity in rat layer 5/6 prefrontal cortex in vitro
Authors: Villalobos N. , Ramírez‐Sánchez E. , Mondragón‐García A. , Garduño J. , Castillo‐Rolón D. , Trujeque‐Ramos S. , Hernández‐López S.
Published: February 2023

Accumulating evidence indicates that insulin‐mediated signaling in the brain may play important roles in regulating neuronal function. Alterations to insulin signaling are associated with the development of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Also, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance have been associated with seizure activity and brain injury. In recent work, we found that insulin increased inhibitory GABAA‐mediated tonic currents in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In this work, we used local field potential recordings and calcium imaging to investigate the effect of insulin on seizure‐like activity in PFC slices. Seizure‐like events (SLEs) were induced by perfusing the slices with magnesium‐free artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) containing the proconvulsive compound 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP). We found that insulin decreased the frequency, amplitude, and duration of SLEs as well as the synchronic activity of PFC neurons evoked by 4‐AP. These insulin effects were mediated by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and mimicked by gaboxadol (THIP), a δ GABAA receptor agonist. The effect of insulin on the number of SLEs was partially blocked by L‐655,708, an inverse agonist with high selectivity for GABAA receptors containing the α5 subunit. Our results suggest that insulin reduces neuronal excitability by an increase of GABAergic tonic currents. The physiological relevance of these findings is discussed.
Amentoflavone induces caspase‐dependent/−independent apoptosis and dysregulates cyclin‐dependent kinase‐mediated cell cycle in colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Hsun , Lin Kuang‐Hsuan , Ku Hsiang‐Ju , Lee Kun‐Ching , Lin Song‐Shei , Hsu Fei‐Ting
Published: February 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is recognized as the third most common malignancy and the second most deadly in highly developed countries. Although the treatment of CRC has improved in the past decade, the mortality rate of CRC is still increasing. Amentoflavone, one of the flavonoids detected in medical plants, is reported to possess potential anticancer properties in various cancers. However, its role in CRC has not been studied. This study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of amentoflavone on CRC in vitro and in vivo. We identified the cytotoxicity, apoptosis effect, cell cycle alteration, DNA damage induction and tumor progression inhibition of amentoflavone in HT‐29 model by using MTT assay, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence (IF) staining, Western blotting and animal experiments. Amentoflavone induced cytotoxicity is caused by triggering G1 arrest, DNA damage and apoptosis in HT‐29 cells. The expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK6 was decreased by amentoflavone; in contrast, the phosphorylation of ATM and CHK2 and the expression of p21 and p27 were increased. The apoptosis induction of amentoflavone in CRC is not only caspase‐dependent but also increases EndoG and AIF nuclear translocation in a caspase‐independent manner. Importantly, the apoptosis induction of amentoflavone is not affected by the activity of p53 in CRC. Amentoflavone suppressed the progression of CRC by initiating G1 arrest and ATM/CHK2‐mediated DNA damage‐responsive, caspase‐dependent/independent apoptotic effects. We uncovered a novel tumor‐inhibitory role of amentoflavone in CRC that is not associated with p53 activity, which may serve as a potential treatment for CRC.
Design of a bioaugmented soil aquifer treatment for efficient removal of p‐nitrophenol
Authors: Shi Min , Yang Yuesuo , Lu Ying , Zhang Xi , Shi Jinyu
Published: February 2023

Secondary effluent reclamation and reuse is an effective solution to the water shortage problem, and the safety of reused water is a matter of increasing concern. p‐Nitrophenol (PNP), a common secondary effluent pollutant, can be efficiently removed using the eco‐friendly bioaugmented soil aquifer treatment (SAT) system at the laboratory scale. In this study, a sewage treatment plant in Changchun was selected as a case study to apply the bioaugmented SAT system for field scenarios efficiently. The bioaugmented SAT system was simulated using HYDRUS‐1D code. Biodegradation and adsorption coefficient were conducted from the batch experiment. Based on the degradation experiments, the concentration of bacteria injected into SAT system was designed to be 6 × 1018 colony‐forming units (CFU) m−3. To enhance the efficiency of the bioaugmented SAT system, the key parameters were optimized based on the sensitivity analysis and the response surface methodology, which showed that the optimal operating conditions were an initial concentration of 86.11 mg L−1, a medium of 4.27‐m thickness, and a wet/dry ratio of 0.28. Specifically, alternated wetting–drying conditions and increasing the medium thickness reduced PNP within a specific range. This work demonstrates the performance and applicability of the bioaugmented SAT system for removal PNP in secondary sewage effluent.
The influence of vacancy generation on the impurity distribution in the target under the conditions of surface treatment by a particle beam
Authors: Parfenova Elena S. , Knyazeva Anna G.
Published: February 2023

The paper presents a nonlinear coupled isothermal model of the process of surface treatment by a particle beam. The model takes into account the interaction between the diffusion of impurity and propagation of mechanical disturbances, as well as the transfer of the introduced impurity with the vacancy mechanism and under the action of stresses. The nonlinear problem is solved numerically using an implicit symmetric difference scheme of the second order approximation in time and spatial coordinates. The finite time of mass flux relaxation and the dependence of diffusion coefficient on the composition and on the concentration of vacancies lead to peculiarities in the propagation of both the concentration wave and the wave of mechanical disturbances. Vacancy generation contributes to the acceleration of impurity propagation and increased strain/stresses.
Gender and Climate Change Vulnerability: A Case Study of a Coastal Community in Pramuka Island, the Seribu Islands
Authors: Saputro Tri , Kurian Priya
Published: February 2023

Climate change poses a significant threat to people’s lives and livelihoods around the globe, and communities of small low-lying islands of the developing world are especially vulnerable. As a growing scholarship demonstrates, the impacts of climate change on people’s lives vary along gender lines, among other factors. Thus, understanding the gendered implications of climate change risks and impacts is essential to inform policies that are responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups. This chapter explores the implications of climate change impacts for the lives of women and men on a small and vulnerable coastal community on Pramuka Island, a part of the group of Seribu Islands, Jakarta, Indonesia. The study examines how changes in women’s and men’s employment, income, and time management reflect the ways in which environmental changes, including climate change, shape the everyday lived experiences of vulnerable local communities of small islands.
Correction to: Development Process for Information Security Concepts in IIoT-Based Manufacturing
Authors: Koch Julian , Eggers Kolja , Rath Jan-Erik , Schüppstuhl Thorsten
Published: February 2023

The book has been inadvertently published with the incorrect affiliation of all the authors in Chapter 31, which has now been corrected. The book and the chapter have been updated with the change.
Constraints on Z′ solutions to the flavor anomalies with trans-Planckian asymptotic safety
Authors: Chikkaballi Abhishek , Kotlarski Wojciech , Kowalska Kamila , Rizzo Daniele , Sessolo Enrico Maria
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Motivated by the flavor anomalies in b → s transitions, we embed minimal models with a Z′ gauge boson, vector-like fermions, and a singlet scalar in the framework of trans-Planckian asymptotic safety. The presence of a fixed point in the renormalization group flow of the models’ parameters leads to predictions for the γ/Z′ kinetic mixing, the New Physics Yukawa couplings, and the quartic couplings of the scalar potential. We derive the constraint on the kinetic mixing from the most recent high-mass dilepton resonance searches at the LHC, showing that this bound is often inescapable in this framework, unless the U(1) charges conspire to forbid the radiative generation of kinetic mixing. In the latter case, the parameter space consistent with the flavor anomalies can still be probed in depth by direct LHC searches for heavy vector-like quarks and leptons. We derive the current exclusion bounds and projections for future high-luminosity runs.
Back to heterotic strings on ALE spaces. Part I. Instantons, 2-groups and T-duality
Authors: Del Zotto Michele , Liu Muyang , Oehlmann Paul-Konstantin
Published: February 2023

Abstract

In this paper we begin revisiting the little string theories (LSTs) which govern the dynamics of the instantonic heterotic E8 × E8 five-branes probing ALE singularities, building on and extending previous results on the subject by Aspinwall and Morrison as well as Blum and Intriligator. Our focus are the cases corresponding to choices of non-trivial flat connections at infinity. The latter are in particular interesting for the exceptional ALE singularities, where a brane realization in Type I′ is lacking. Our approach to determine these models is based on 6d conformal matter: we determine these theories as generalized 6d quivers. All these LSTs have a higher-one form symmetry which forms a 2-group with the zero-form Poincaré symmetry, the R-symmetry and the other global symmetries: the matching of the R-symmetry two-group structure constant is a stringent constraint for T-dualities, which we use in combination with the matching of 5d Coulomb branches and flavor symmetries upon circle reduction, as a consistency check for the realization of the 6d LSTs we propose.
A novel solution to the gravitino problem
Authors: Qiu Yu-Cheng , Tye S.-H. Henry
Published: February 2023

Abstract

In a general phenomenological model with local supersymmetry, the amount of massive gravitinos produced in early universe tends to violate the known dark matter density bound by many orders of magnitude. In the brane world scenario in Type IIB string theory, we propose a novel way to evade this problem. There, the standard model of strong and electroweak interactions live inside the anti-D3-branes ($$ \overline{\textrm{D}3} $$

D
3

¯

-branes) that span the 3 large spatial dimensions. Here, the “potential” Goldstino to be absorbed by the gravitino (to become massive) is the fermion component of the open string nilpotent superfield X (i.e., X2 = 0) which is present only inside the $$ \overline{\textrm{D}3} $$

D
3

¯

-branes. This non-linear supergravity scenario offers 2 ways to solve the gravitino problem, with very different particle physics phenomenologies: (1) To satisfy the necessary condition for a naturally small cosmological constant Λ, the supersymmetry breaking $$ \overline{\textrm{D}3} $$

D
3

¯

-branes tension is precisely cancelled by the Higgs spontaneous symmetry breaking effect, so the gravitino is ultra-light and its contribution to the dark matter density is negligible. If exist, the super-particles should have already been detected in experiments. To avoid contradiction with their non-observation, X is applied to project out all the “R-parity odd” fields. Consequently, this non-linear supergravity model is almost identical to the standard model. (2) As an alternative, one can have a massive gravitino (e.g., $$ {\hat{m}}_{3/2} $$

m
̂

3
/
2

> 100 GeV) due to the supersymmetry breaking tension of the $$ \overline{\textrm{D}3} $$

D
3

¯

-branes. Here, the super-particles can be heavy enough to have avoided detection so far. Since the open string Goldstino exists only inside the $$ \overline{\textrm{D}3} $$

D
3

¯

-branes, the gravitino is heavy only inside the $$ \overline{\textrm{D}3} $$

D
3

¯

-branes, but massless or ultra-light outside the $$ \overline{\textrm{D}3} $$

D
3

¯

-branes. This means that the gravitinos will be pushed out of the $$ \overline{\textrm{D}3} $$

D
3

¯

-branes to the extra dimensions in the bulk, a phenomenon analogous to the Meissner effect for the massive photons inside super-conductors but massless outside. As a result, the massive gravitinos will be depleted so the gravitino problem is absent. In this case, a fine-tuning is necessary to obtain the very small observed Λobs.
Assessment of jugular bulb variability based on 3D surface models: quantitative measurements and surgical implications
Authors: Juelke Eirik , Butzer Tobias , Yacoub Abraam , Wimmer Wilhelm , Caversaccio Marco , Anschuetz Lukas
Published: February 2023

Purpose

High-riding jugular bulbs (JBs) among other anatomical variations can limit surgical access during lateral skull base surgery or middle ear surgery and must be carefully assessed preoperatively. We reconstruct 3D surface models to evaluate recent JB classification systems and assess the variability in the JB and surrounding structures.

Methods

3D surface models were reconstructed from 46 temporal bones from computed tomography scans. Two independent raters visually assessed the height of the JB in the 3D models. Distances between the round window and the JB dome were measured to evaluate the spacing of this area. Additional distances between landmarks on surrounding structures were measured and statistically analyzed to describe the anatomical variability between and within subjects.

Results

The visual classification revealed that 30% of the specimens had no JB, 63% a low JB, and 7% a high-riding JB. The measured mean distance from the round window to the jugular bulb ranges between 3.22 ± 0.97 mm and 10.34 ± 1.41 mm. The distance measurement (error rate 5%) was more accurate than the visual classification (error rate 15%). The variability of the JB was higher than for the surrounding structures. No systematic laterality was found for any structure.

Conclusion

Qualitative analysis in 3D models can contribute to a better spatial orientation in the lateral skull base and, thereby, have important implications during planning of middle ear and lateral skull base surgery.
Implementation of artificial intelligence in thoracic imaging—a what, how, and why guide from the European Society of Thoracic Imaging (ESTI)
Authors: Gleeson Fergus , Revel Marie-Pierre , Biederer Jürgen , Larici Anna Rita , Martini Katharina , Frauenfelder Thomas , Screaton Nicholas , Prosch Helmut , Snoeckx Annemiek , Sverzellati Nicola , Ghaye Benoit , Parkar Anagha P.
Published: February 2023

This statement from the European Society of Thoracic imaging (ESTI) explains and summarises the essentials for understanding and implementing Artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical practice in thoracic radiology departments. This document discusses the current AI scientific evidence in thoracic imaging, its potential clinical utility, implementation and costs, training requirements and validation, its’ effect on the training of new radiologists, post-implementation issues, and medico-legal and ethical issues. All these issues have to be addressed and overcome, for AI to become implemented clinically in thoracic radiology.

Key Points

• Assessing the datasets used for training and validation of the AI system is essential.

• A departmental strategy and business plan which includes continuing quality assurance of AI system and a sustainable financial plan is important for successful implementation.

• Awareness of the negative effect on training of new radiologists is vital.
A Monte Carlo permutation procedure for testing variance components using robust estimation methods
Authors: El-Horbaty Yahia S. , Hanafy Eman M.
Published: February 2023

Permutation methods offer an acceptable and convenient tool for inferring zero variance components in linear mixed models using the likelihood ratio test. However, when data exhibit heavy-tailed distribution, heavy-skewed distribution or outliers, maximum likelihood estimation may not be the best choice in constructing useful test statistics. In this article, we propose the use of robust rank-based estimation as an alternative. The finite sample distribution of our test statistic is well approximated using suitable permutations of the cluster indices that are exchangeable when the null hypothesis is true. Empirical results, comparing the new test to existing tests, indicate that all tests maintain acceptable Type I error rates when data exhibit heavy-tailed or heavy-skewed distributions. However, only our new test remains robust against the presence of outlier in the response space. Besides, it is only the latter case where other tests could show a competing power to our test. Otherwise, the new test is superior with an outstanding power under the remaining settings.
Automated localization of the medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilages using an object detection network: a step towards deep learning-based forensic age assessment
Authors: Wesp Philipp , Sabel Bastian Oliver , Mittermeier Andreas , Stüber Anna Theresa , Jeblick Katharina , Schinke Patrick , Mühlmann Marc , Fischer Florian , Penning Randolph , Ricke Jens , Ingrisch Michael , Schachtner Balthasar Maria
Published: February 2023

Background

Deep learning is a promising technique to improve radiological age assessment. However, expensive manual annotation by experts poses a bottleneck for creating large datasets to appropriately train deep neural networks. We propose an object detection approach to automatically annotate the medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilages in computed tomography (CT) scans.

Methods

The sternoclavicular joints were selected as structure-of-interest (SOI) in chest CT scans and served as an easy-to-identify proxy for the actual medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilages. CT slices containing the SOI were manually annotated with bounding boxes around the SOI. All slices in the training set were used to train the object detection network RetinaNet. Afterwards, the network was applied individually to all slices of the test scans for SOI detection. Bounding box and slice position of the detection with the highest classification score were used as the location estimate for the medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilages inside the CT scan.

Results

From 100 CT scans of 82 patients, 29,656 slices were used for training and 30,846 slices from 110 CT scans of 110 different patients for testing the object detection network. The location estimate from the deep learning approach for the SOI was in a correct slice in 97/110 (88%), misplaced by one slice in 5/110 (5%), and missing in 8/110 (7%) test scans. No estimate was misplaced by more than one slice.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a robust automated approach for annotating the medial clavicular epiphyseal cartilages. This enables training and testing of deep neural networks for age assessment.
Predictors of mortality of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia among patients hospitalized in a Swiss University Hospital and the role of early source control; a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Papadimitriou-Olivgeris Matthaios , Caruana Giorgia , Senn Laurence , Guery Benoit
Published: February 2023

S. aureus bacteremia is associated with high mortality. The aim was to identify predictors of mortality among patients with S. aureus bacteremia and evaluate the role of early source control. This retrospective study was conducted at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland. All episodes of S. aureus bacteremia among adult patients from 2015 to 2021 were included. During the study period, 839 episodes of S. aureus bacteremia were included, of which 7.9% were due to methicillin-resistant isolates. Bacteremias were related to bone or joint infections (268; 31.9%), followed by bacteremia of unknown origin (158; 18.8%), proven endocarditis (118; 14.1%) and lower-respiratory tract infections (79; 9.4%). Overall 28-day mortality was 14.5%. Cox multivariate regression model showed that Charlson comorbidity index > 5 (P < 0.001), nosocomial bacteremia (P 0.019), time to blood culture positivity ≤ 13 h (P 0.004), persistent bacteremia for ≥ 48 h (P 0.004), sepsis (P < 0.001), bacteremia of unknown origin (P 0.036) and lower respiratory tract infection (P < 0.001) were associated with 28-day mortality, while infectious diseases consultation within 48 h from infection onset (P < 0.001) was associated with better survival. Source control was warranted in 575 episodes and performed in 345 episodes (60.0%) within 48 h from infection onset. Results from a second multivariate analysis confirmed that early source control (P < 0.001) was associated with better survival. Mortality among patients with S. aureus bacteremia was high and early source control was a key determinant of outcome. Infectious diseases consultation within 48 h played an important role in reducing mortality.
Examining the relationship between health literacy and individual and sociodemographic factors in secondary school students
Authors: Pendl Dominik , Maitz Katharina Maria , Gasteiger-Klicpera Barbara
Published: February 2023

Aim

Health literacy (HL) is an important factor in health promotion, especially regarding children and adolescents. The present study aims to identify the individual and sociodemographic factors related to secondary school students’ HL. This should make it possible to find specific strategies to improve HL.

Subject and methods

Data on the sociodemographic background (migrant background, number of books at home and spoken language at home), self-efficacy, online reading behaviour, subjective HL (adapted version of the European Health Literacy [HLS-EU] questionnaire) and the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) of 544 Austrian secondary school students (age 11–16, 46% girls) were collected. Regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses regarding those factors which influence students’ subjective HL and eHL.

Results

Students subjective HL (M = 3.79, SD = .63) and eHL (M = 3.46, SD = .77) scores were rather high on average. Subjective HL was predicted by age, gender and online reading behaviour. However, only students’ online reading behaviour was highly significant and was found to be the most influential predictor of subjective HL. Age and online reading behaviour were also found to be highly significant predictors regarding eHL.

Conclusion

Students’ online reading behaviour and age are important factors linked to HL. Educational activities may serve to reduce health inequalities by fostering relevant internet skills, i.e. the skills needed to facilitate effective and critical use of internet information.
Continuous production of cellulose mixed esters via homogeneous reactive twin-screw extrusion catalyzed by ionic liquid
Authors: Hernandez Stephanie C. , Milotskyi Romain , Takagi Shohei , Ito Elisabeth R. D. , Suzuki Shiori , Wada Naoki , Takahashi Kenji
Published: February 2023

Cellulose mixed esters (CMEs) substituted with two different types of acyl groups are promising polymeric materials with various tunable properties but are arduous to produce. This is because of the insolubility of cellulose in common solvents, and thus, the industrial production of CMEs with desired degrees of substitution (DSs) requires a costly multistep process. To accomplish their facile production, homogeneous reactions have been performed using ionic liquids (ILs) as solvents for cellulose. However, the high viscosity of the cellulose-IL solutions causes insufficient mixing in batch reactors; thereby, favoring low cellulose concentrations with long reaction times (typically hours). Herein, we demonstrate a rapid and scalable production of CMEs by exploiting the excellent shear mixing of a twin-screw extruder as a flow reactor. A co-solvent system comprising an IL, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, and dimethyl sulfoxide was applied to dissolve cellulose at a high concentration (15 wt.%) via twin-screw extrusion. During continuous extrusion at 80 °C, cellulose reacted with two acyl reagents, isopropenyl acetate (IPAc) and vinyl propionate (VPr) (2.5:0.5, mol/mol), to yield cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) within minutes. The CAP was stably produced during the operation time of 50 min with an average isolated yield of 71%. The DSs of the acetyl and propionyl groups of CAP were 1.77 and 0.50, respectively, corresponding to sufficiently high conversion rates of 70% for IPAc and 100% for VPr.
The Methods Behind Poincaré’s Conventions: Structuralism and Hypothetical-Deductivism
Authors: de Paz María
Published: February 2023

Poincaré’s conventionalism has been interpreted in many writings as a philosophical position emerged by reflection on certain scientific problems, such as the applicability of geometry to physical space or the status of certain scientific principles. In this paper I would like to consider conventionalism as a philosophical position that emerged from Poincaré’s scientific practice. But not so much from dealing with scientific problems, as from the use of two specific methodologies proper to modern mathematics and the modern natural sciences: methodological structuralism and the hypothetical-deductive method—thus, as a philosophical position which emerged from a way (or rather, two ways) ofdoingscience. With this approach, I try to deepen the analysis of connections between Poincaré’s scientific practice and his philosophy.
That’s It! Hyperintensional Total Logic
Authors: Krämer Stephan
Published: February 2023

Call a truth complete with respect to a subject matter if it entails every truth about that subject matter. One attractive way to formulate a complete truth is to state all the relevant positive truths, and then add: and that’s it. When the subject matters under consideration are non-contingent, a non-trivial conception of completeness must invoke a hyperintensional conception of entailment, and of the completion operation denoted by ‘that’s it’. This paper develops two complementary hyperintensional conceptions of completion using the framework of truthmaker semantics and determines the resulting logics of totality.
An overview of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning against ischemic stroke
Authors: Wu Xuyi , You Jiuhong , Chen Xinxin , Zhou Mei , Ma Hui , Zhang Tianle , Huang Cheng
Published: February 2023

Ischemic stroke (IS) has become the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the prevention of IS should be given high priority. Recent studies have indicated that hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO-PC) may be a protective nonpharmacological method, but its underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. This study comprehensively reviewed the pathophysiology of IS and revealed the underlying mechanism of HBO-PC in protection against IS. The preventive effects of HBO-PC against IS may include inducing antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis capacity; activating autophagy and immune responses; upregulating heat shock proteins, hypoxia-inducible factor-1, and erythropoietin; and exerting protective effects upon the blood-brain barrier. In addition, HBO-PC may be considered a safe and effective method to prevent IS in combination with stem cell therapy. Although the benefits of HBO-PC on IS have been widely observed in recent research, the implementation of this technique is still controversial due to regimen differences. Transferring the results to clinical application needs to be taken carefully, and screening for the optimal regimen would be a daunting task. In addition, whether we should prescribe an individualized preconditioning regimen to each stroke patient needs further exploration.
Digestibility of Protein and Iron Availability from Enriched Legume Sprouts
Authors: Zielińska-Dawidziak Magdalena , Białas Wojciech , Piasecka-Kwiatkowska Dorota , Staniek Halina , Niedzielski Przemysław
Published: February 2023

Plant ferritin is suggested as a good source of iron for human. Usually present in trace amounts, it was induced in legumes seeds by their sprouting in FeSO4 solution. Fortified sprouts were digested in the in vitro model of the human gastrointestinal tract. ~49% of lupine and ~ 45% of soy proteins were extracted into gastric fluid and next ~ 12% and only ~ 1% into intestine fluid from lupine and soybean, respectively. Gastric digestion released mainly ferrous iron (~ 85% from lupine and ~ 95% in soybean sprouts). Complexed iron constituted ~ 43% of total iron in intestine after lupine digestion and ~ 55% after soybean digestion. Intestine digestion doubled the total iron released from lupine sprouts (from ~ 21% up to 38%), while in soybean it increased from ~ 16% up to ~ 23%. Ferritin presence was confirmed by the specific antibodies in digestive fluids, but it is only partially extracted from sprouts during in vitro digestion.
Price Competition in a Vertizontally Differentiated Duopoly
Authors: Bos Iwan , Peeters Ronald
Published: February 2023

This paper develops a price competition duopoly model in which products are both horizontally and vertically differentiated. Firms each offer a standard and a premium product to buyers—some of whom are brand loyal. We establish the existence of a unique and symmetric competitive pricing equilibrium. Equilibrium prices are increasing in the degree of horizontal differentiation and the number of brand-loyal customers. The equilibrium price of the standard (premium) good is decreasing (increasing) in the quality difference and profits can increase in costs when this difference is large enough. If the pricing decision is taken at the product (division) level, then there is again a unique (and symmetric) competitive pricing equilibrium. Equilibrium prices and profits are lower than in the centralized case and demand for the standard product is higher when the quality difference is sufficiently large. Welfare is unambiguously lower with decentralized pricing.
Solar Irradiance Spectra from the Compact SOLSTICE (CSOL) Experiment: Instrument Design, FUV Calibration, Measurements, and Comparison of the 2018 Rocket Flight
Authors: Thiemann Edward , Harder Jerald , Woods Thomas , Snow Martin , Klapetzky Michael , Triplett Matthew , Sims Alan , Penton Steven , Furst Mitchell
Published: February 2023

The Compact SOLSTICE, a compact far and mid ultraviolet (FUV and MUV) spectrograph, flew on a sounding rocket on 18 June 2018 to validate and potentially calibrate the SOLar STellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) onboard the Solar Radiation Climate Experiment (SORCE) spacecraft. This article reports the instrument design, the calibration of the FUV channel, and the FUV irradiance measurements. Irradiance measurements are compared to SOLSTICE showing agreement within the combined instrumental uncertainties at most wavelengths, including the H Lyman-$\alpha $
α
emission at 121.6 nm. Some unexplained differences in line ratios between 130.5 nm and 147.5 nm are observed.
Group Assertions and Group Lies
Authors: Marsili Neri
Published: February 2023

Groups, like individuals, can communicate. They can issue statements, make promises, give advice. Sometimes, in doing so, they lie and deceive. The goal of this paper is to offer a precise characterisation of what it means for a group to make an assertion and to lie. I begin by showing that Lackey’s influential account of group assertion is unable to distinguish assertions from other speech acts, explicit statements from implicatures, and lying from misleading. I propose an alternative view, according to which a group asserts a proposition only if it explicitly presents that proposition as true, thereby committing to its truth. This proposal is then put to work to define group lying. While scholars typically assume that group lying requires (i) a deceptive intent and (ii) a belief in the falsity of the asserted proposition, I offer a definition that drops condition (i) and significantly broadens condition (ii).
The Convergence Approach to Benardete’s Paradox
Authors: Laraudogoitia Jon Pérez
Published: February 2023

The paper analyses Benardete's paradox of the gods from a more general perspective (the convergence approach) than several of the most important proposals made to date, but in close relation (and sharp contrast) with them. The new theory, based on the notion of limit, is systematically applicable in different possible scenarios involving a denumerable infinity of objects. In particular, it reveals in what way ω-consistency can be compromised in an otherwise consistent description of such "infinitary" situations.
Multiclass datasets expand neural network utility: an example on ankle radiographs
Authors: Kim Suam , Rebmann Philipp , Tran Phuong Hien , Kellner Elias , Reisert Marco , Steybe David , Bayer Jörg , Bamberg Fabian , Kotter Elmar , Russe Maximilian
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Artificial intelligence in computer vision has been increasingly adapted in clinical application since the implementation of neural networks, potentially providing incremental information beyond the mere detection of pathology. As its algorithmic approach propagates input variation, neural networks could be used to identify and evaluate relevant image features. In this study, we introduce a basic dataset structure and demonstrate a pertaining use case.

Methods

A multidimensional classification of ankle x-rays (n = 1493) rating a variety of features including fracture certainty was used to confirm its usability for separating input variations. We trained a customized neural network on the task of fracture detection using a state-of-the-art preprocessing and training protocol. By grouping the radiographs into subsets according to their image features, the influence of selected features on model performance was evaluated via selective training.

Results

The models trained on our dataset outperformed most comparable models of current literature with an ROC AUC of 0.943. Excluding ankle x-rays with signs of surgery improved fracture classification performance (AUC 0.955), while limiting the training set to only healthy ankles with and without fracture had no consistent effect.

Conclusion

Using multiclass datasets and comparing model performance, we were able to demonstrate signs of surgery as a confounding factor, which, following elimination, improved our model. Also eliminating pathologies other than fracture in contrast had no effect on model performance, suggesting a beneficial influence of feature variability for robust model training. Thus, multiclass datasets allow for evaluation of distinct image features, deepening our understanding of pathology imaging.
The diagnostic challenge of non-traumatic bladder rupture: a pictorial essay
Authors: Kunichika Hideki , Takahama Junko , Taguchi Hidehiko , Haga Masayo , Shimoda Emiko , Inoue Masayoshi , Morimoto Kengo , Marugami Nagaaki , Tanaka Toshihiro
Published: February 2023

Non-traumatic bladder rupture (NTBR) is relative rare pathology including spontaneous rupture and iatrogenic injury. As increasing the medical intervention for the pelvic malignancy or elderly population, NTBR will be encountered more frequently. There are few previous studies summarizing the imaging features of NTBR. We reviewed imaging characteristics of 18 previous cases of NTBR experienced. In addition, 3 presentative cases that can be a pitfall to differentiate from NTBR. The aim of this article is to clarify the key CT findings of NTBR and its pitfalls.
Neuroimaging findings of inborn errors of metabolism: urea cycle disorders, aminoacidopathies, and organic acidopathies
Authors: Enokizono Mikako , Aida Noriko , Yagishita Akira , Nakata Yasuhiro , Ideguchi Reiko , Kurokawa Ryo , Kono Tatsuo , Moritani Toshio , Mori Harushi
Published: February 2023

Although there are many types of inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) affecting the central nervous system, also referred to as neurometabolic disorders, individual cases are rare, and their diagnosis is often challenging. However, early diagnosis is mandatory to initiate therapy and prevent permanent long-term neurological impairment or death. The clinical course of IEMs is very diverse, with some diseases progressing to acute encephalopathy following infection or fasting while others lead to subacute or slowly progressive encephalopathy. The diagnosis of IEMs relies on biochemical and genetic tests, but neuroimaging studies also provide important clues to the correct diagnosis and enable the conditions to be distinguished from other, more common causes of encephalopathy, such as hypoxia–ischemia. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a powerful, non-invasive method of assessing neurological abnormalities at the microscopic level and can measure in vivo brain metabolites. The present review discusses neuroimaging findings, including those of 1H-MRS, of IEMs focusing on intoxication disorders such as urea cycle disorders, aminoacidopathies, and organic acidopathies, which can result in acute life-threatening metabolic decompensation or crisis.
Atmospheric Plasma Spraying of Different MgO/Al2O3 Feedstocks
Authors: Vaßen Robert , Kalfhaus Tobias , Vorkötter Christoph , Sohn Yoo Jung , Conze Susan , Berger Lutz-Michael
Published: February 2023

Nine commercial and experimental powders from the MgO/Al2O3 system have been investigated in the present project. The composition ranged from MgO/MgAl2O4 composites with more than 70% MgO to an alumina-rich spinel powder (94% Al2O3). The powders were fused and crushed or agglomerated and sintered. The influence of the composition, the manufacturing route as well as the particle size distribution on the microstructure and the phases in the produced coatings have been investigated. For several of the powders, detailed design of experiment plans have been made and properties such as deposition efficiency, hardness and porosity were optimized. With optimized spray conditions coatings have been produced from all powders which were characterized in depth. Here, the results of microstructure, porosity values and thermal cyclic tests will be presented in more detail.
Study on learning efficient stroke representations in clocked sheet metal processing: theoretical and practical evaluation
Authors: Niemietz Philipp , Fencl Marek , Bergs Thomas
Published: February 2023

Clocked manufacturing processes such as sheet metal forming and cutting processes pose a challenge for process monitoring approaches due to inaccessibility of tool components and high production rates which make direct measurement of the physical process conditions unfeasible. Auxiliary data such as force signals are acquired and assessed, often still relying on control and run charts or even visual control in order to monitor the process. The data of these signals are high-dimensional and contain a large amount of redundant information. Therefore, the processing of such signals focuses on compressing information into as few variables as possible that still represent the important information for the manufacturing process. Due to repeatability in clocked sheet metal processing, the data generated consist of a series of time series of the same operation with varying physical conditions due to wear and variations in lubrication or material properties. In this paper two major research objectives are identified: (i) the theoretical evaluation of representation learning methods in context of clocked sheet metal processing, and the connection with (ii) the practical evaluation of the learned representations with a given use case to track the wear progression in series of strokes. The contribution of this paper is the comparison of varying time series representation learning techniques and their performance evaluation in a theoretical and practical scenario.
Oocyte Arrested at Metaphase II Stage were Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in vitro
Authors: Yu Xiaoli , Wang Ning , Wang Xiang , Ren Hehe , Zhang Yanping , Zhang Yingxin , Qiu Yikai , Wang Hongyan , Wang Guoping , Pei Xiuying , Chen Ping , Ren Yahui , Ha Chunfang , Wang Li , Wang Huayan
Published: February 2023

Initiation of meiosis is the most difficult aspect of inducing competent oocytes differentiation from human stem cells in vitro. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were cultured with follicle fluid, cytokines and small molecule to induced oocyte-like cells (OLCs) formation through a three-step induction procedure. Expression of surface markers and differentiation potential of germ cells were analyzed in vitro by flow cytometry, gene expression, immunocytochemistry, western blotting and RNA Sequencing. To induce the differentiation of hiPSCs into OLCs, cells were firstly cultured with a primordial germ cell medium for 10 days. The cells exhibited similar morphological features to primordial germ cells (PGCs), high expressing of germ cell markers and primordial follicle development associated genes. The induced PGCs were then cultured with the primordial follicle-like cell medium for 5 days to form the induced follicle-like structures (iFLs), which retained both primordial oocytes-like cells and granulosa-like cells. In the third step, the detached iFLs were harvested and transferred to the OLC-medium for additional 10 days. The cultured cells developed cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) structures and OLCs with different sizes (50–150 μm diameter) and a zona pellucida. The in vitro matured OLCs had polar bodies and were arrested at metaphase II (MII) stage. Some OLCs were self-activated and spontaneously developed into multiple-cell structures similar to preimplantation embryos, indicating that OLCs were parthenogenetically activated though in vitro fertilization potential of OLCs are yet to be proved. in vitro maturation of OLCs derived from hiPSCs provides a new means to study human germ cell formation and oogenesis.

Graphical Abstract
The role of the COVID-19 impersonal threat strengthening the associations of right-wing attitudes, nationalism and anti-immigrant sentiments
Authors: Panzeri Anna , Mignemi Giuseppe , Bruno Giovanni , Granziol Umberto , Scalavicci Cecilia , Bertamini Marco , Bennett Kate Mary , Spoto Andrea , Vidotto Giulio
Published: February 2023

Literature showed that the link between right-wing attitudes and ethnocentric attitudes gets stronger under existential threats, but the role exerted by an impersonal threat – as COVID-19 – on right-wing attitudes is still unclear. This study aimed to highlight the role of anxiety exerted by the impersonal COVID-19 threat on the relationship between right-wing attitudes and ethnocentric attitudes, as nationalism and anti-immigrants’ sentiments. As part of an international project to evaluate the impact of COVID-19, this study administered an online survey to a representative sample (n 1038). The anxiety generated by an impersonal threat as COVID-19 – thus not exerted by any outgroup – can moderate the relationship among personal Right-Wing Authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and ethnocentric attitudes. This is the first study demonstrating that existential threat is effective also when exerted by an impersonal agent (as COVID-19) rather than by an outgroup. Second, these findings disclose useful implications for preventive psychological interventions and for social policy makers.
Lipschitz (q, p)-Summing Maps from C(K)-Spaces to Metric Spaces
Authors: Mastyło Mieczysław , Pérez Enrique A. Sánchez
Published: February 2023

Variants of the notion of (q, p)-summing operator are introduced in the setting of Lipschitz mappings acting between metric spaces. Some classes of these operators from C(K)-spaces to metric spaces are studied. An integral domination estimate is proved for a class of the mentioned Lipschitz (q, p)-summing maps. It is shown that under some conditions this domination is equivalent to (q, 1)-summability of these Lipschitz maps. As an application, we recover Pisier’s result, which provides this equivalence in the setting of the linear operators.
Synthesis and Characterization of Promising Economic Biopolymer Composite as a Clarifying Agent for Sugar Industry
Authors: Mahgoub Mohamed Y. , Gad Ahmed N. , El-Naggar Ahmed M. , Dardeer Hemat M.
Published: February 2023

Three biopolymer composites (1), (2) and (3) based on chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose were synthesized, characterized and applied as nontoxic cationic color precipitant and flocculating agents for mixed cane juice (MCJ) and raw syrup refining process. The chemical structure of the obtained composites was elucidated by different techniques, FT-IR, XRD and SEM. They were investigated as a decolorizing agent of colorant matters of MCJ and raw syrup. The composite (1) was chosen and tested for further procedures due to its stability and economically purposes. Composite (1) showed a color removal efficiency of MCJ and raw syrup by 15.8 and 40.7%, respectively, at 200 ppm dosages, compared to the traditional clarification method. All the analyses of MCJ and raw syrup were conducted in the pilot plant to compare between the obtained clarification efficiency in presence of bioclarifying agent and that with the currently used phosphatation process. Also, the obtained results showed that the composite (1) can act as flocculating agent where 50% reduction is in the dosage of anionic flocculant. Moreover, the total cost of chemical aids and maintenance will be decreased by about 2.4 million LE in case of incorporating composite (1) in the clarification process of sugar cane juice.
CT-measured body composition radiomics predict lymph node metastasis in localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gu Qianbiao , He Mengqing , He Yaqiong , Dai Anqi , Liu Jianbin , Chen Xiang , Liu Peng
Published: February 2023

Background

To explored the value of CT-measured body composition radiomics in preoperative evaluation of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LPDAC).

Methods

We retrospectively collected patients with LPDAC who underwent surgical resection from January 2016 to June 2022. According to whether there was LNM after operation, the patients were divided into LNM group and non-LNM group in both male and female patients. The patient’s body composition was measured by CT images at the level of the L3 vertebral body before surgery, and the radiomics features of adipose tissue and muscle were extracted. Multivariate logistic regression (forward LR) analyses were used to determine the predictors of LNM from male and female patient, respectively. Sexual dimorphism prediction signature using adipose tissue radiomics features, muscle tissue radiomics features and combined signature of both were developed and compared. The model performance is evaluated on discrimination and validated through a leave-one-out cross-validation method.

Results

A total of 196 patients (mean age, 60 years ± 9 [SD]; 117 men) were enrolled, including 59 LNM in male and 36 LNM in female. Both male and female CT-measured body composition radiomics signatures have a certain predictive power on LNM of LPDAC. Among them, the female adipose tissue signature showed the highest performance (area under the ROC curve (AUC), 0.895), and leave one out cross validation (LOOCV) indicated that the signature could accurately classify 83.5% of cases; The prediction efficiency of the signature can be further improved after adding the muscle radiomics features (AUC, 0.924, and the accuracy of the LOOCV was 87.3%); The abilities of male adipose tissue and muscle tissue radiomics signatures in predicting LNM of LPDAC was similar, AUC was 0.735 and 0.773, respectively, and the accuracy of LOOCV was 62.4% and 68.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

CT-measured body composition Radiomics strategy showed good performance for predicting LNM in LPDAC, and has sexual dimorphism. It may provide a reference for individual treatment of LPDAC and related research about body composition in the future.