bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-modal artificial intelligence algorithm for the prediction of left atrial low-voltage areas in atrial fibrillation patient based on sinus rhythm electrocardiogram and clinical characteristics: a retrospective, multicentre study
Authors: Tao Yirao , Zhang Deyun , Pang Naidong , Geng Shijia , Tan Chen , Tian Ying , Hong Shenda , Liu XingPeng
Published: December 2024

Aims

We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm capable of accurately predicting the presence of left atrial low-voltage areas (LVAs) based on sinus rhythm electrocardiograms (ECGs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and results

The study included 1133 patients with AF who underwent catheter ablation procedures, with a total of 1787 12-lead ECG images analysed. Artificial intelligence-based algorithms were used to construct models for predicting the presence of LVAs. The DR-FLASH and APPLE clinical scores for LVAs prediction were calculated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and a calibration curve were used to evaluate model performance. Multicentre validation included 92 AF patients from five centres, with a total of 174 ECGs. The data obtained from the participants were split into training (n = 906), validation (n = 113), and test sets (n = 114). Low-voltage areas were detected in 47.4% of all participants. Using ECG alone, the convolutional neural network (CNN) model achieved an area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of 0.704, outperforming both the DR-FLASH score (AUROC = 0.601) and the APPLE score (AUROC = 0.589). Two multimodal AI models, which integrated ECG images and clinical features, demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy (AUROC 0.816 and 0.796 for the CNN-Multimodal and CNN-Random Forest-Multimodal models, respectively). Our models also performed well in the multicentre validation dataset (AUROC 0.711, 0.785, and 0.879 for the ECG alone, CNN-Multimodal, and CNN-Random Forest-Multimodal models, respectively).

Conclusion

The multimodal AI algorithm, which integrated ECG images and clinical features, predicted the presence of LVAs with a higher degree of accuracy than ECG alone and the clinical LVA scores.
Physical link between effective viscosity and electrical resistivity for dislocation creep in upper mantle and its application in Northwest Xinjiang, China
Authors: Li Man , Xu Yixian , Liu Lian , Yang Bo , Zhang Yi , Zhu Yixin , Liu Shuyu
Published: December 2024

Effective viscosity of the upper mantle is a critical parameter for comprehending the dynamics of the lithosphere and plate tectonics. In recent years, magnetotelluric (MT) surveys have gained attention as a potential tool for determining viscosity. However, a direct physical basis for the relationship between effective viscosity and electrical resistivity still needs to be improved. To address this issue, we have established the basis that connects electrical resistivity and effective viscosity under different thermochemical conditions and the principle of electrical neutrality. The creep and electrical conductions of rocks in the lithospheric mantle are all the thermally activated atomic-scale random motion of particles in solids or melts, controlled by the slowest and fastest particles, respectively. Due to the sizeable electrostatic interaction energy, the concentrations of the two particles must always satisfy the charge-neutral condition. Hence, we derived two ideal models for anhydrous and hydrous olivine. Then, to demonstrate their applicability, we converted the resistivity cross-section constructed from long-period MT data to the effective viscosity distribution in the Tarim–Tianshan–Junggar area. We found that the results matched those obtained by the previous method well. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of MT surveys for determining the effective viscosity of the upper mantle.
Effects of subduction interface locking distributions on tsunami hazard: a case study on the Hikurangi/Tonga-Kermadec subduction zones
Authors: Hughes Laura , Lane Emily M , Power William , Savage Martha K , Arnold Richard , Howell Andrew , Liao Yi-Wun Mika , Williams Charles , Shaw Bruce , Fry Bill , Nicol Andy
Published: December 2024

Subduction zones have the greatest potential to generate large earthquakes and tsunamis. However, when undertaking Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessments (PTHAs), subduction zones are a significant source of epistemic uncertainty. Therefore, understanding how the spatial distribution of elastic strain accumulation on the subduction interface influences the tsunami hazard is important for providing comprehensive hazard assessments, as well as quantifying uncertainty. This is especially important if the spatial locking distribution is undefined, and if it changes through time. Physics-based earthquake simulators allow different interpretations of the subduction interface locking distribution to be modelled, and how this influences the long-term seismicity, and the tsunami hazard, can be explored. Using three physics-based synthetic earthquake catalogues, generated by the earthquake simulator RSQSim, we analysed the tsunami hazard in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Three alternative representations of the subduction interface locking distribution along the Hikurangi Subduction Margin and the Tonga-Kermadec Subduction Zone were specified in the simulator to generate the catalogues. We modelled the tsunamis generated by $M_W\, \gt $8.0 earthquakes from each of the catalogues and undertook PTHAs. These assessments show that patches of high slip-deficit, both along strike and dip of the subduction interface, increase the tsunami hazard at the coast. Locking along the shallowest segments of the subduction interface also significantly increases the tsunami hazard. Our results show that careful consideration of the locking distribution in physical models is necessary before using them for PTHAs. They also show that by analysing multiple physical models of subduction zones, uncertainty in hazard assessments caused by the unresolved interface properties can also begin to be quantified.
Recent court ruling could increase the size and administrative complexity of the 340B program
Authors: Nikpay Sayeh , Bruno John P , Carey Colleen
Published: December 2024

The 340B program allows certain hospitals and clinics to use outpatient drugs purchased at substantial discounts on insured patients, generating profits to fund care. The size of these profits depends on the number of prescriptions filled by participating hospital or clinics’ insured patients that also meet the Health Resources and Services Agency's definition of an eligible patient. A recent court case has challenged the Agency's longstanding definition of a patient, resulting in new definition that could significantly expand the size of the program and create conflicts when an insured patient satisfies the new definition for more than one hospital or clinic participating in the program. We use Medicare Part D data from 2018 to simulate the proportion of prescription drug fills eligible for 340B discounts and total program spending under both existing and new definitions. We found that the new definition could increase the share of 340B-eligible fills in Medicare Part D by 25%, from 12% of fills to 16%, and that the share of fills subject to a conflict could double, from 1% of fills to 1%-2%. Our results suggest that the new definition could increase covered entities’ 340B profits by roughly a third.
Etrasimod as a Monotherapy or With Concomitant Use of Corticosteroids and/or Aminosalicylates: Results From the ELEVATE UC Clinical Program
Authors: Yarur Andres J , Chiorean Michael V , Allegretti Jessica R , Cross Raymond K , Ha Christina , Goetsch Martina , McDonnell Aoibhinn , Dalam Alexis B , Wu Joseph , Blanco David A , Abbatemarco Arcangelo M , Panés Julian
Published: December 2024

Background

Etrasimod is an oral, once daily (QD), selective sphingosine 1-phosphate1,4,5 receptor modulator for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). We assessed the benefit of etrasimod monotherapy and the impact of concomitant corticosteroids (CS) and/or 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) therapy.

Methods

In ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12, patients with moderately to severely active UC were randomized 2:1 to etrasimod 2 mg QD or placebo for 52 and 12 weeks, respectively. Oral CS or 5-ASA were allowed at baseline. Patients in the monotherapy subgroup received etrasimod or placebo without concomitant CS and/or 5-ASA at baseline. Predefined primary (clinical remission) and key secondary efficacy endpoints aligned with those from both trials and were assessed at Week 12 and Week 52. Safety was assessed up to Week 52.

Results

Clinical remission rates at Weeks 12 and 52 were significantly higher for etrasimod compared with placebo in patients receiving monotherapy (Week 12: 26.2% vs 4.8%; Week 52: 35.7% vs 4.0%). Differences vs placebo were statistically significant for all predefined endpoints at both time points in patients receiving monotherapy or etrasimod with concomitant 5-ASA only (all P < .05); numerical differences, due to small sample sizes, vs placebo were observed for all endpoints in the CS only and CS + 5-ASA subgroups. Safety was consistent with the overall population.

Conclusions

Etrasimod monotherapy showed consistent efficacy and safety vs placebo; no apparent benefit was observed with concomitant CS and/or 5-ASA in patients receiving etrasimod.

Clinical trial registration

NCT03945188; NCT03996369.
Selecting High-Risk Patients With Pediatric Crohn’s Disease for Top-Down Anti-TNF as per the 2021 ECCO-ESPGHAN Guidelines: A 5-Year Nationwide Retrospective Analysis From Scotland (2016-2020)
Authors: Scott Gregor , Wands David I F , Wilson David C , Hansen Richard , Chalmers Iain
Published: December 2024

Background

The 2021 ECCO-ESPGHAN guideline on the medical management of pediatric Crohn’s disease promotes early risk stratification and top-down anti-TNF for patients deemed high risk of severe disease course.

Aims

We aimed to objectively assess the risk-benefit profile of the guideline’s risk stratification policy and guidance on top-down anti-TNF in a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Methods

Using a prospectively identified nationwide cohort of all new pediatric patients (<17 years) diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in Scotland between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020 and retrospectively applying the current management algorithm, we explored the guideline’s ability to accurately risk stratify patients. Phenotypic and treatment data were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records with a maximum follow-up of 18 months post-diagnosis.

Results

Four hundred and eighteen children (258/418 [62%] male; median [interquartile range {IQR}] age at diagnosis: 13.2 [11.2-14.8] years) were included. High-risk phenotype was present in 224/418 (54%) with 53/224 (24%) of high-risk patients not requiring anti-TNF therapy within 18 months of diagnosis. Conversely, 78/194 (40%) of the low-risk group received anti-TNF within 18 months. High-risk patients were more likely to require anti-TNF (171/224 [76%] vs 78/194 [40%], P < .001) and had shorter median (IQR) time to anti-TNF start (5.0 [1.0-8.0] months vs 6.5 [3.3-13.0] months, P = .01).

Conclusions

Our data support the guideline’s ability to identify patients more likely to require early treatment escalation. However, this approach would have led to potential over- and under-treatment in a substantial proportion of patients. This underscores the importance of frequent and comprehensive monitoring, along with flexible treatment strategies that adapt to changes in disease status.
Positive feedbacks in coastal reef social-ecological systems can maintain coral dominance
Authors: Pellowe Kara E , Durfort Anaëlle , Burkepile Deron E , Mouillot David , Lade Steven J
Published: December 2024

Understanding the mechanisms underlying nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) and carbon cycling in reefs is critical for effective management. Research on reef nutrient and carbon cycling needs to account for (i) the contributions of multiple organisms, (ii) abiotic and biotic drivers, and (iii) a social-ecological perspective. In this paper, we review the mechanisms underlying nutrient and carbon cycling in reef social-ecological systems and analyse them using causal loop analysis. We identify direct and indirect pathways and feedback loops through nutrient and carbon cycles that shape the dominant benthic state of reefs: coral, algal, and sponge-dominated states. We find that two of three anthropogenic impact scenarios (size-selective fishing and land use change) have primarily negative consequences for coral and macroalgae via the nutrient and carbon cycles. A third scenario (runoff) has fewer negative impacts on sponges compared to other benthos. In all scenarios, frequent positive feedback loops (size-selective fishing: 7 of 12 loops; runoff: 6 of 9 loops; land use change: 8 of 11 loops) lead to system destabilization; however, the presence of multiple loops introduces avenues whereby reefs may retain coral dominance despite anthropogenic pressures. Context-specific information on the relative strength of loops will be necessary to predict future reef state.
A Characterization of Quasi-homogeneous Singularities of Free and Nearly Free Plane Curves
Authors: Andrade Aline V , Beorchia Valentina , Miró-Roig Rosa M
Published: December 2024

The goal of this paper is to establish a new characterization of quasi-homogeneous isolated singularities of free curves and nearly free curves $C$ in ${\mathbb{P}}_{\mathbb{C}}^{2}$. The criterion will be in terms of a first syzygy matrix associated with the Jacobian ideal $J_{f}$ of $f$, where $f=0$ is the equation of the plane curve $C$.
HVTN 123: A Phase 1, Randomized Trial Comparing Safety and Immunogenicity of CH505TF gp120 Produced by Stably and Transiently Transfected Cell Lines
Authors: Wilson Gregory J , Church L W Preston , Kelley Colleen F , Robinson Samuel T , Lu Yiwen , Furch Briana D , Fong Youyi , Paez Carmen A , Yacovone Margaret , Jacobsen Thomas , Maughan Maureen , Martik Diana , Heptinstall Jack R , Zhang Lu , Montefiori David C , Tomaras Georgia D , Kublin James G , Corey Lawrence
Published: December 2024

Utilizing transiently transfected cell lines could significantly reduce manufacturing timelines for protein subunit vaccines. This trial compared safety and immunogenicity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope CH505TF gp120 vaccines produced by upstream stable and transient transfection (each admixed with GLA-SE adjuvant, a TL4 agonist). Both vaccines were safe and well tolerated. Serum IgG binding antibody response rates 2 weeks after final injection were 92% in the stable group and 93% in the transient group (P = 1.000). Neutralization response rates against CH505.w4.3 were also equivalent (92% vs 100%, P = .291). These data support transient transfection as an available tool for accelerating HIV vaccine testing and iteration.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT03856996.
The FAIR database: facilitating access to public health research literature
Authors: Zhao Zhixue , Thomas James , Kell Gregory , Stansfield Claire , Clowes Mark , Graziosi Sergio , Brunton Jeff , Marshall Iain James , Stevenson Mark
Published: December 2024

Objectives

In public health, access to research literature is critical to informing decision-making and to identify knowledge gaps. However, identifying relevant research is not a straightforward task since public health interventions are often complex, can have positive and negative impacts on health inequalities and are applied in diverse and rapidly evolving settings. We developed a “living” database of public health research literature to facilitate access to this information using Natural Language Processing tools.

Materials and Methods

Classifiers were identified to identify the study design (eg, cohort study or clinical trial) and relationship to factors that may be relevant to inequalities using the PROGRESS-Plus classification scheme. Training data were obtained from existing MEDLINE labels and from a set of systematic reviews in which studies were annotated with PROGRESS-Plus categories.

Results

Evaluation of the classifiers showed that the study type classifier achieved average precision and recall of 0.803 and 0.930, respectively. The PROGRESS-Plus classification proved more challenging with average precision and recall of 0.608 and 0.534. The FAIR database uses information provided by these classifiers to facilitate access to inequality-related public health literature.

Discussion

Previous work on automation of evidence synthesis has focused on clinical areas rather than public health, despite the need being arguably greater.

Conclusion

The development of the FAIR database demonstrates that it is possible to create a publicly accessible and regularly updated database of public health research literature focused on inequalities. The database is freely available from https://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/eppi-vis/Fair.

NETSCC ID number

NIHR133603.
Enhancing architectural space layout design by pretraining deep reinforcement learning agents
Authors: Kakooee Reza , Dillenburger Benjamin
Published: December 2024

Space layout design is a fundamental yet complex problem in architecture. This task’s inherent complexity, arising from the need to balance numerous geometric configurations and topological relations while adhering to specific constraints, poses significant challenges. Recent advancements in deep reinforcement learning have shown promise in addressing similar planning problems, suggesting its potential utility for innovative space layout solutions. However, a critical limitation of deep reinforcement learning is its struggle with generalizing learned strategies to unseen scenarios. In the context of architectural design, this limitation could prevent deep reinforcement learning from being a scalable design method. Pretraining has emerged as a transformative strategy within the field of artificial intelligence, especially in the realm of foundational models, to enhance the generalization capabilities of learning algorithms. While pretraining is being the central focus of this paper, our approach diverges from conventional pretraining methods that focus on pixel-level design of layouts as is in diffusion based model. Instead, we propose an architectural simulation of space layout design that could embody the multifaceted essence of architectural design. To this end, we have developed a space layout simulator called SpaceLayoutGym that serves dual purposes: first, as an environment for the reinforcement learning agent to interact with and learn the intricacies of design, and second, as a tool for generating a dataset of design scenarios and their corresponding design solutions for model pretraining. We then used imitation learning to pretrain the agent on the generated training design scenarios. This process is being followed by a fine-tuning phase by using proximal policy optimization algorithm on new design scenarios. Our results demonstrate that pretraining can enhance the generalization capabilities of deep reinforcement learning in space layout design, paving the way for more adaptable and scalable artificial intelligence-aided architectural design.
Review of ship arrangement design using optimization methods
Authors: Kim Ki-Su , Roh Myung-Il
Published: December 2024

This study presents a comprehensive review of various research efforts aimed at optimizing ship arrangement design. A detailed comparative analysis was conducted on studies that approached ship arrangement design from an optimization perspective. Therefore, the fundamental components of an optimization problem (design variables, objective functions, and constraints) were systematically summarized. Ship arrangement design problems encompass a broad range of applications, including compartments, cabins, and equipment, and the problem definitions for each were compared and analysed. In ship arrangement design, the design variables subject to optimization primarily include the positions of bulkheads, the order of compartment assignments, and, in the case of cabins, elements such as corridors connecting cabins. For equipment arrangement, design variables consider the location of the equipment and, for multilayer arrangement, the floor on which the equipment is to be placed. Regarding objective functions, various studies proposed and applied different functions to optimize operability for improving operational efficiency, stability for enhancing survivability, and cost efficiency, which is particularly critical for merchant vessels. Finally, constraints were considered, including a range of physical constraints and regulatory constraints that vary by ship type. Using these definitions, ship arrangement optimization problems were applied across different ship types, and the study discusses how future research in ship arrangement optimization may develop further.
Determination of the relationship between the numbers of Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on irrigation pipes and tree trunks to facilitate automated monitoring in Southern California citrus orchards
Authors: Cong Lin , Milosavljević Ivan , Li Yehua , Yao Weixin , Hoddle Mark S
Published: December 2024

Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is a pest in southern California citrus orchards because it protects honeydew-producing hemipteran pests from natural enemies. A major impediment to controlling L. humile is estimating ant densities in orchards. Ants use irrigation lines to travel across orchard floors to reach trees infested with hemipterans. However, for making ant control decisions, it is the number of ants in trees, not on pipes that is critical. Work completed here demonstrates that the number of ants counted on pipes is highly correlated with the number of ants counted on trunks. Densities of ants counted on trunks are correlated with trunk diameter, citrus variety, and time of year and time of day counts. Six regression models, linear regression, zero-inflated Poisson regression, and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models, and each of their mixed model extensions, indicated a strong positive relationship between ant counts on irrigation pipes and ant counts on tree trunks. Mean squared prediction error and 5-fold cross-validation analyses indicated that the best performing of these 6 models was the zero-inflated Poisson mixed regression model. A binary classification model developed using support vector machine learning for ant infestation severity levels, categorized as low (<100 ants counted in 1 min) or high (≥100 ants counted in minutes), predicted ant densities on trunks with 85% accuracy. These models can be used to estimate the number of ants on the trunks of citrus trees by using counts of ants made on irrigation pipes.
Shifting agrarian labour regimes, ecology, and the crisis for Dalit women’s work in India
Authors: Sinha Shreya
Published: December 2024

Building on the differentiated analysis of India’s agrarian crisis, this article argues for centring ecology in understanding the crisis faced by agricultural labour. The empirical case is of landless Dalit women in Punjab, India, experiencing the shift from a cotton-dominated labour regime to a paddy-dominated one. It delineates the materiality(s) of commodity, workplace, and body associated with the two regimes and explores its contingent intersections with social reproduction, caste oppression, capital’s strategies, and the state. Overall, the article argues that labour’s agrarian crisis is both produced through ecology and manifests in/as ecology across different moments and levels of analysis.
Seismic response characteristics of deep carbonate reservoirs with complex structures in the southwestern Tarim Basin
Authors: Gui Wenjie , Shen Xiangcun , Sha Xuguang , Jiang Zhongzheng , Gu Hanming
Published: December 2024

Seismic data in the Yubei region has a relatively low signal-to-noise ratio, with multiple interbed multiples developed in the Ordovician strata, significantly affecting the accurate imaging of complex structures and reservoirs, leading to considerable uncertainty in structural interpretation and reservoir prediction. This paper first determines the styles of complex structural belts influenced by interbed multiples through wave equation forward modeling. The parallel-layered reflection at the top of complex structures is due to the alteration of effective strata reflection caused by strong interbed multiples at the top. Second, integrating data from drilling, logging, and geological aspects in the region, seismic wavefield characteristic forward modeling analyses for different types of reservoir are conducted. The results show that factors such as the scale and spatial development position of fractured-vuggy reservoirs have significant impacts on seismic reflection characteristics, strong reflective interfaces may mask the reflection characteristics of the top reservoir, the development of fractured-vuggy reservoirs at different positions can weaken or enhance the reflection of strata interfaces; locally intensive development of fractures in the Ordovician manifests as weak bead anomalies, while large-scale fracture reservoirs exhibit chaotic reflections, and karst caves are characterized by distinct moderately strong bead or tabular amplitude anomalies. By comparing with actual seismic data, the correctness of the complex structural interpretation model is effectively verified, and seismic wavefield characteristics of various types of Ordovician reservoir are summarized, providing a certain basis for understanding the interpretation of complex structures and the reflection characteristics of fractured-vuggy reservoirs in the region.
Folk music collectors and intellectual property: ensuring fair compensation without appropriation
Authors: Światkowski Dominik
Published: December 2024

This article examines the legal protections available to folk music collectors, focusing on copyright, and the entitlements they may have while respecting the rights of the folk communities from which the collected materials originate. Unlike the extensive research on the copyright status of folk art, the legal aspects of folk music collecting have been largely overlooked. Collectors’ activities vary, from faithfully replicating original material to contributing creatively to folk songs, affecting their legal qualifications and entitlements. The article argues for a balanced approach to ensure compensation without infringing on the rights of the original authors and appropriation. The analysis spans legislation and case law from the USA and the UK. It outlines the premises for protection from the perspective of folk music collectors and highlights obstacles to obtaining these rights. The first section explores collectors’ rights unrelated to alterations, such as rights to collections and recordings. The second part delves into rights related to modifications, including arrangement and potential co-authorship, while the subsequent part addresses the issue of appropriation of collected music by collectors. This examination aims to establish a fair legal framework that rewards efforts without overstepping the boundaries of authorship and ownership. It helps clarify under what conditions folk music collectors can claim legal rights and compensation for their work, without infringing upon the communal nature of folk music.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase regulates mitophagy by maintaining PINK1 stability
Authors: Cho Yik-Lam , Tan Hayden Weng Siong , Yang Jicheng , Kuah Basil Zheng Mian , Lim Nicole Si Ying , Fu Naiyang , Bay Boon-Huat , Ling Shuo-Chien , Shen Han-Ming
Published: December 2024

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) in glycolysis. Glucose metabolism is closely implicated in the regulation of mitophagy, a selective form of autophagy for the degradation of damaged mitochondria. The PPP and its key enzymes such as G6PD possess important metabolic functions, including biosynthesis and maintenance of intracellular redox balance, while their implication in mitophagy is largely unknown. Here, via a whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screening, we identified that G6PD regulates PINK1 (phosphatase and tensin homolog [PTEN]-induced kinase 1)-Parkin-mediated mitophagy. The function of G6PD in mitophagy was verified via multiple approaches. G6PD deletion significantly inhibited mitophagy, which can be rescued by G6PD reconstitution. Intriguingly, while the catalytic activity of G6PD is required, the known PPP functions per se are not involved in mitophagy regulation. Importantly, we found a portion of G6PD localized at mitochondria where it interacts with PINK1. G6PD deletion resulted in an impairment in PINK1 stabilization and subsequent inhibition of ubiquitin phosphorylation, a key starting point of mitophagy. Finally, we found that G6PD deletion resulted in lower cell viability upon mitochondrial depolarization, indicating the physiological function of G6PD-mediated mitophagy in response to mitochondrial stress. In summary, our study reveals a novel role of G6PD as a key positive regulator in mitophagy, which bridges several important cellular processes, namely glucose metabolism, redox homeostasis, and mitochondrial quality control.
Building an Oranian-English parallel corpus for automated translation training
Authors: Dou Abdelbasset , Kissi Khalida
Published: December 2024

The main obstacle to automated translation and processing of dialects is their dearth of linguistic resources. The latter provide data to natural language processing professionals to conduct their experiments of dialect recognition, processing, and machine translation. This article highlights the need to resource the Algerian dialects, reviews the use of the available relevant corpora, and describes the process and distinctiveness of the first Oranian-English parallel corpus (OEPC). This is the first parallel corpus that includes one Algerian dialect with its English equivalents made from scratch. Particularly, this article presents the criteria and steps of compiling a monolingual corpus for the Oranian dialect (ORN) with references to data sources and formats. The size of the monolingual corpus ORN reached 8.5K sentences; with their equivalents in English, OEPC has been built. This significant linguistic resource is made under the Empowering and Resourcing Algerian Dialects project. This project is launched to enrich NLP experts with linguistic resources that are different Algerian mono-, bi-, multi-, and cross-dialectal corpora. The mechanism of data compilation and augmentation to extend the products of this project is explained.
Uniform characterization of an ensemble of main-sequence benchmark stars: effect of Gaia-based data on grid search models
Authors: Nsamba Benard , Weiss Achim , Kamulali Juma
Published: December 2024

The inference of stellar parameters (such as radius and mass) through asteroseismic forward modelling depends on the number, accuracy, and precision of seismic and atmospheric constraints. ESA’s Gaia space mission is providing precise parallaxes which yield an additional constraint to be included in the model grid search. Using a handful of main-sequence benchmark stars, we perform a uniform characterization of these stars. We assess the accuracy and precision of stellar parameters inferred from grid-based searches when a Gaia-based luminosity is combined with different stellar constraints. We also examine the precision needed for an interferometric radius (model-independent radius) to have a significant contribution towards the determination of stellar mass in the optimization process. Our findings show that more precise stellar masses are inferred for some stars when seismic and spectroscopic constraints are complemented with a Gaia-based luminosity, with a scatter varying from 1.9 per cent to 0.8 per cent. However, the inferred stellar radii are underestimated when compared to the interferometric radii and yield a scatter of $\sim$1.9 per cent. In addition, we demonstrate that a precisely measured interferometric radius ($\lesssim$1 per cent) when applied in the optimization process yields a mass with a precision $\lesssim$1.5 per cent. Finally, we find that when only $l=0$ mode oscillation frequencies are available, robust masses and radii are still attainable. However, this requires precise and numerous $l=0$ mode oscillations frequencies (>8) to be coupled with atmospheric constraints.
The coupled tearing–thermal instability in coronal current sheets from the linear to the non-linear stage
Authors: De Jonghe Jordi , Sen Samrat
Published: December 2024

In the solar corona, magnetically sheared structures are unstable to both tearing and thermal instabilities in a coupled fashion. However, how the choice of linear perturbation modes influences the time-scale to achieve the thermal runaway in a coupled tearing–thermal coronal current sheet is not well understood to date. Here, we model a force-free Harris current sheet under solar coronal conditions to investigate this coupling in the linear and non-linear regimes. In the linear regime, we adopt the magnetohydrodynamic spectroscopy code legolas to compare the current sheet under thermal and thermoresistive conditions, after which we initialize non-linear simulations (with mpi-amrvac) with the unstable, linear tearing and thermal perturbations obtained with legolas. It is shown that part of the unstable thermal quasi-continuum adopts tearing properties in the linear stage, but that it is not until the non-linear stage is reached that a true thermal ‘runaway’ effect leads to condensations inside tearing-induced flux ropes. Hence, the linear stage is governed by the dominant tearing instability whilst condensations form due to tearing–thermal coupling in the non-linear stage. Our results imply that perturbing an equilibrium current sheet with the fastest growing linear mode skips the mode-mixing phase in which the dominant instability traditionally emerges, and significantly reduces the time-scale to enter into the non-linear stage and thermal runaway process from its equilibrium configuration.
X-ray cavities in TNG-Cluster: AGN phenomena in the full cosmological context
Authors: Prunier Marine , Hlavacek-Larrondo Julie , Pillepich Annalisa , Lehle Katrin , Nelson Dylan
Published: December 2024

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) feedback from supermassive black holes (SMBHs) at the centres of galaxy clusters plays a key role in regulating star formation and shaping the intracluster medium, often manifesting through prominent X-ray cavities embedded in the cluster’s hot atmosphere. Here we show that X-ray cavities arise naturally due to AGN feedback in TNG-Cluster. This is a new suite of magnetohydrodynamic cosmological simulations of galaxy formation and evolution, and hence of galaxy clusters, whereby cold dark matter, baryon dynamics, galactic astrophysics, and magnetic fields are evolved together consistently. We construct mock Chandra X-ray observations of the central regions of the 352 simulated clusters at z = 0 and find that $\sim$39 per cent contain X-ray cavities. Identified X-ray cavities vary in configuration with some still attached to their SMBH, while others have buoyantly risen. Their size ranges from a few to several tens of kpc. TNG-Cluster X-ray cavities are underdense compared to the surrounding halo and filled with hot gas ($\sim 10^8$ K); 25 per cent of them are surrounded by an X-ray bright and compressed rim associated with a weak shock (Mach number $\sim$1.5). Clusters exhibiting X-ray cavities are preferentially strong or weak cool-cores, are dynamically relaxed, and host SMBHs accreting at low Eddington rates. We show that TNG-Cluster X-ray cavities originate from episodic, wind-like energy injections from central AGN. Our results illustrate the existence and diversity of X-ray cavities simulated in state-of-the-art models within realistic cosmological environments and show that these can form without necessarily invoking bipolar, collimated, or relativistic jets.
A lensed FRB candidate in the first CHIME/FRB Catalogue and its potential implications
Authors: Chang Chenming , Zhang Songbo , Xiao Di , Tang Zhenfan , Li Ye , Wei Junjie , Wu Xuefeng
Published: December 2024

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are immensely energetic radio pulses with durations of milliseconds. Given their high all-sky rate, the probability of an FRB being lensed by an intervening massive object is non-negligible. In this study, we search for possible lensing candidates within the first Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment FRB catalogue using an autocorrelation algorithm and verification through signal simulations. We identify FRB 20190308C as a lensed candidate with a significance of 3.4$\sigma$. Furthermore, we constrain the mass of the lensing object using the Chang–Refsdal lens model, based on the flux ratio and time delay between the substructures of FRB 20190308C. Future long-term and high-precision observations are expected to reveal more lensed FRBs.
A pooled analysis of host factors that affect nucleotide excision repair in humans
Authors: Zheng Congying , Shaposhnikov Sergey , Collins Andrew , Brunborg Gunnar , Azqueta Amaya , Langie Sabine A S , Dusinska Maria , Slyskova Jana , Vodicka Pavel , van Schooten Frederik-Jan , Bonassi Stefano , Milic Mirta , Orlow Irene , Godschalk Roger
Published: December 2024

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is crucial for repairing bulky lesions and crosslinks in DNA caused by exogenous and endogenous genotoxins. The number of studies that have considered DNA repair as a biomarker is limited, and therefore one of the primary objectives of the European COST Action hCOMET (CA15132) was to assemble and analyse a pooled database of studies with data on NER activity. The database comprised 738 individuals, gathered from 5 laboratories that ran population studies using the comet-based in vitro DNA repair assay. NER activity data in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were normalized and correlated with various host-related factors, including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking habits. This multifaceted analysis uncovered significantly higher NER activity in female participants compared to males (1.08 ± 0.74 vs. 0.92 ± 0.71; P = .002). Higher NER activity was seen in older subjects (>30 years), and the effect of age was most pronounced in the oldest females, particularly those over 70 years (P = .001). Females with a normal BMI (<25 kg/m2) exhibited the highest levels of NER, whereas the lowest NER was observed in overweight males (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). No independent effect of smoking was found. After stratification by sex and BMI, higher NER was observed in smoking males (P = .017). The biological implication of higher or lower repair capacity remains unclear; the inclusion of DNA repair as a biomarker in molecular epidemiological trials should elucidate the link between health and disease status.
Epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics of vascular-limited renal AL amyloidosis
Authors: Senot Noémie , Gibier Jean Baptiste , Rabant Marion , Esteve Emmanuel , Ferriere Elsa , Dessaix Kathleen , Colombat Magali , Perrochia Helene , Olagne Jerome , Goujon Jean Michel , Wayolle Nicolas , Wemeau Mathieu , Carpentier Benjamin , Pinson Pierre , Beeker Nathanael , Bridoux Frank , Cohen Camille
Published: December 2024

Background

Kidney involvement, along with cardiac disease, is the most frequent manifestation of systemic AL amyloidosis, usually resulting in nephrotic-range proteinuria. Rarely, deposits predominantly or exclusively affect the intrarenal arterioles or arteries, with these vascular-limited forms following a distinct clinical course, but very little is known about these forms. Our work planned to better characterize renal vascular-limited AL amyloidosis.

Methods

By mining a French Paris hospital database, we found that this unusual phenotype accounts for approximatively 9% of renal AL amyloidosis cases. We retrospectively studied 35 patients with the renal vascular-limited variant of AL amyloidosis on kidney biopsy.

Results

All showed predominant or only (n = 21) intra-renal vascular deposits, of lambda isotype in 63%. At diagnosis, median urine protein/creatinine ratio was 0.5 g/g, with serum creatinine of 181 (133–216) µmol/L and estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate of 36.2 (24.3–49.6) mL/min/1.73 m2. Cardiac involvement was present in 67% of cases. A serum and/or urine monoclonal gammopathy was identified in all but one patient and 31 (88%) had an abnormal free light chain ratio. Among 28 treated patients, hematological and renal response rates were 75% (including deep hematological response in 43%) and 18%, respectively. Median time from diagnosis to renal event, defined be a composite criterion composed of end-stage renal disease or >40% decrease in eGFR, was 56 months. Median overall survival was 59 months—significantly longer in patients who achieved a deep hematological response (178 vs 20 months, P = .002).

Conclusion

Renal vascular-limited AL amyloidosis is a probably underdiagnosed disease with markedly reduced eGFR, low-grade proteinuria and severe overall prognosis. Rapid achievement of a deep hematological response is required to preserve long-term renal and patient outcomes.
O-GlcNAcylation stabilized WTAP promotes GBM malignant progression in an N6-methyladenosine-dependent manner
Authors: Qiu Jiawei , Zhao Rongrong , Ma Caizhi , Wang Qingtong , Li Boyan , Qi Yanhua , Pan Ziwen , Zhao Shulin , Wang Shaobo , Gao Zijie , Guo Xiaofan , Qiu Wei , Tang Weijie , Guo Xing , Deng Lin , Xue Hao , Li Gang
Published: December 2024

Background: Interactions between mesenchymal glioblastoma stem cells (MES GSCs) and myeloid-derived macrophages (MDMs) shape the tumor-immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME), promoting the progression of glioblastoma (GBM). N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays important roles in the tumor progression. However, the mechanism of m6A in shaping the TIME of GBM remains elusive.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA-seq datasets were employed to identify the critical role of WTAP in interactions between MES GBM and MDMs. The biological function of WTAP was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, mass spectrum, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted.

Results: Here, we identified that m6A methyltransferase Wilms' Tumor 1-Associated Protein (WTAP), whose protein stability could be synergistically enhanced via OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation and USP7-mediated de-ubiquitination, promoted LOXL2 m6A modification to enhance its mRNA stabilization in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner, upregulating secretion of LOXL2 protein (sLOXL2). sLOXL2 then interacted with integrin α5β1 on GSCs to activate FAK-ERK signaling, inducing mesenchymal transition of GSCs in an autocrine manner. Meanwhile, sLOXL2 also activated the integrin α5β1-FAK-ERK axis in MDMs, which promoted M2-like MDM phenotypes in a paracrine pathway, thereby contributing to T cell exhaustion to induce GBM immune escape. In translational medicine, combinations of the OGT inhibitor by targeting WTAP expression and the LOXL2 antagonist by disrupting MES GSC and MDM interactions showed favorable outcomes to the anti-PD1 immunotherapy.

Conclusions: WTAP plays critical roles in mesenchymal transition of GSCs and formation of TIME, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting WTAP and its downstream effectors to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.
3 MHz space antenna
Authors: Katz J I , Krassner J
Published: December 2024

Little is known about the radio astronomical universe at frequencies below 10 MHz because such radiation does not penetrate the ionosphere. A Cubesat-based antenna for the 1–10 MHz band could be rapidly and economically deployed in low Earth orbit. When shielded by the Earth from Solar emission, it could observe weak extra-Solar System and outer Solar System sources. We suggest possibly observable sources, and application to study of the topside ionosphere.
Saving externality: when depositing too much breaks the bank
Authors: Leonello Agnese , Mendicino Caterina , Panetti Ettore , Porcellacchia Davide
Published: December 2024

This article highlights a novel channel through which the level of deposits matters for bank fragility and efficiency. We augment a global-game model of bank runs with a consumption-saving choice that determines deposit size in the initial period. We derive two key results. First, depositors’ incentives to run increase with the amount of savings held as bank deposits. Second, a saving externality emerges because individual depositors fail to internalize the impact of their deposit decisions on the likelihood of a bank run. This leads to depositors’ over-saving and inefficient bank liquidity provision, as well as excessive bank fragility. Finally, we characterize the optimal policy to implement the efficient allocation.
No evidence for an association of testosterone and cortisol hair concentrations with social decision-making in a large cohort of young adults
Authors: Massaccesi Claudia , Johnson-Ferguson Lydia , Zimmermann Josua , Ehlert Alexander , Baumgartner Markus R , Binz Tina M , Ribeaud Denis , Eisner Manuel P , Shanahan Lilly , Rauhut Heiko , Quednow Boris B
Published: December 2024

Prior research has established that testosterone is an important modulator of social decision-making. However, evidence on the relationship between basal testosterone levels, commonly measured in saliva or blood, and social behavior has been inconsistent due to methodological shortcomings. Additionally, it has been suggested that cortisol might moderate the association between basal testosterone and social behavior. The present study examined how individual differences in cumulative hair testosterone map onto social decision-making under consideration of a potential modulating role of hair cortisol in a large community sample of young adults (N = 1002). We observed a negative association between hair testosterone and trust behavior (odds ratio = 0.84) and a positive association with self-reported aggressive behavior (β = 0.08). The effects were small and became nonsignificant after controlling for key covariates of steroid hormones in hair (e.g. hair color, contraceptives, and use of psychoactive substances). Hair testosterone levels were not significantly associated with any other social behavior examined, and no modulating effects of hair cortisol were found. Overall, these findings provide no evidence for a role of basal testosterone hair concentrations in human social decision-making and do not indicate that hair cortisol moderates hair testosterone’s effects on social behavior.
Graph analysis of guilt processing network highlights links with subclinical anxiety and self-blame
Authors: Zareba Michal Rafal , Bielski Krzysztof , Costumero Victor , Visser Maya
Published: December 2024

Maladaptive forms of guilt, such as excessive self-blame, are common characteristics of anxiety and depressive disorders. The underlying network consists of multiple associative areas, including the superior anterior temporal lobe (sATL), underlying the conceptual representations of social meaning, and fronto-subcortical areas involved in the affective dimension of guilt. Nevertheless, despite understanding the circuitry’s anatomy, network-level changes related to subclinical anxiety and self-blaming behaviour have not been depicted. To fill this gap, we used graph theory analyses on a resting-state functional and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging dataset of 78 healthy adults (20 females, 20–35 years old). Within the guilt network, we found increased functional contributions of the left sATL for individuals with higher self-blaming, while functional isolation of the left pars opercularis and insula was related to higher trait anxiety. Trait anxiety was also linked to the structural network’s mean clustering coefficient, with the circuitry’s architecture favouring increased local information processing in individuals with increased anxiety levels, however, only when a highly specific subset of connections was considered. Previous research suggests that aberrant interactions between conceptual (sATL) and affective (fronto-limbic) regions underlie maladaptive guilt, and the current results align and expand on this theory by detailing network changes associated with self-blame and trait anxiety.