bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A compass for sustainability? Semiconductors, rare earths and CSR: the case of onsemi
Authors: Gatto Andrea , Nuta Alina Cristina
Published: September 2024

Semiconductors are a rampant ICT sector utilized in everyday life for electronic devices. This industry provides plentiful income to multinational corporations (MNCs) but has been put in the spotlight for its tremendous social, ecological, and political impact. The figures become dramatic in sub-Saharan Africa and developing countries, which have abundant resources but poor working conditions and abrupt environmental degradation. In this interplay, rare earths have become leading assets for companies and governments and are highly debated for their controversial nature; thereby, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental practices turn pivotal. This work aims to connect the bountiful industrial sector of semiconductors with rare earths governance and CSR. To this end, this inquiry critically scrutinizes these three assets, analyzing the case study of onsemi as a business case and launching selected strategic and policy perspectives. This paper reviews these three concepts and conducts a content analysis on onsemi CSR Report and Annual Sustainability Report. The literature review emphasizes the increasing importance of these three topics within the mineral economics and sustainability research. The company analyzed produced cogent reports but supplementary information is needed to better understand its results within the semiconductors and extractive industry. This may help determining key achievements and areas for improvements in the private sector for REE sustainability, CSR and environment, social and governance (ESG) results and disclosure. The availability and governance of rare earths will determine decisive sustainability directions of utmost priority for geopolitical equilibria. The undertaken corporate and institutional strategies will lean toward dramatically diverse scenarios.
A Systematic Literature Review on Flexible Strategies and Performance Indicators for Supply Chain Resilience
Authors: Paul Ananna , Saha Suvash C.
Published: September 2024

Supply chain resilience is a widely useful concept for managing risk and disruption. Designing strategies for preparedness, response, and recovery can help businesses to mitigate risks and disruptions. Among them, flexible strategies can effectively improve supply chain resilience. In the literature, several studies have considered different types of flexible strategies and investigated their impacts on supply chain resilience. However, a systematic literature review (SLR) paper on this topic can further help to understand the scientific progress, research gaps, and avenues for future research. Hence, this study aims to explore how the literature has contributed to the area of flexible strategies and the impact on supply chain resilience performance. To achieve our objective, we apply an SLR methodology to identify themes such as research areas and key findings, contexts and industry sectors, methodologies, and key strategies and performance indicators in the connection between flexible strategies and supply chain resilience. The findings show that many studies connect flexible strategies to supply chain resilience. However, research gaps exist in analysing relationships between flexible strategies and performance, conducting comparative studies, developing dynamic resilience plans, applying flexible strategies, conducting theoretically grounded empirical studies, and applying multiple analytical tools to develop decision-making models for supply chain resilience. Finally, this study suggests several future research opportunities to advance the research on the topic. The findings can be a benchmark for researchers who are interested in conducting research in the area of flexible strategies and supply chain resilience.
Comparing the technical quality and clinical outcomes of root canal treatment on immature permanent incisors in children: a retrospective evaluation of three bioceramic plug materials
Authors: Donnell Christopher C. , Kandiah Pathanjali
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To assess the technical quality and clinical outcomes of non-surgical endodontic treatment of immature permanent incisor teeth with three different bioceramic plug materials and highlight variables which may influence treatment and quality outcomes.

Methods

This cross-sectional analysis forms part of a retrospective service evaluation of the technical quality and clinical outcome of orthograde root canal treatment carried out in the Paediatric Dentistry Department of Charles Clifford Dental Hospital (United Kingdom). Twenty-five cases were identified chronologically, using the electronic patient record system, for three bioceramic plug materials: Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, and TotalFill Putty. All radiographs were analysed using standard conditions. Intra- and inter-examiner agreement was calculated using Kappa and weighted Kappa tests. Data were collected using a data collection tool, entered into Microsoft Excel, and analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory analysis with Chi-squared tests, and multivariable analyses (logistic regression).

Results

At 12-month review, the success rate for each apexification material was MTA (84%), Biodentine (88%), and TotalFill Putty (92%). MTA had the highest frequency of post-operative coronal discolouration, with Biodentine most associated with apical extrusion. A number of variables and trends that affect the clinical outcome were identified, including the presence of pre-operative resorption, the number of operators involved in treatment, the number of appointments to complete treatment, as well as how non-use of local anaesthetic during apical plug placement had no adverse effect on technical quality or clinical outcome.

Conclusions

MTA, Biodentine, and TotalFill Putty are highly effective apexification materials which produce excellent clinical outcomes. As such, logistical and situational factors, such as continuity of care from operators with increased levels of experience, skill and ability, rather than material choice, may be more prognostic regarding the technical quality and clinical outcome of immature endodontic treatment. Further high-quality evidence is required.
La radioligand therapy (RLT) nei tumori neuroendocrini
Authors: Badrane Ilham , Urso Luca , Nieri Alberto , De Rimini Maria Luisa , Bartolomei Mirco
Published: September 2024

Sommario

I tumori neuroendocrini (NET) sono un gruppo di neoplasie rare e spiccatamente eterogenee, spesso diagnosticate già in fase avanzata. Sulla scorta dei risultati dello studio NETTER-1, la terapia con radioligandi (RLT) è stata approvata da EMA, FDA e, nel 2019, da AIFA, diventando un pilastro nel trattamento dei NET gastro-entero-pancreatici (GEP-NET) ben differenziati (G1 e G2), localmente avanzati o metastatici e in progressione al trattamento di prima linea con gli analoghi dei recettori della somatostatina (SST-R). Nonostante l’efficacia e la sicurezza della RLT nei NET sia ampiamente dimostrata da una ricca letteratura scientifica, permangono ancora alcuni interrogativi irrisolti. Tra di essi, i principali sono la definizione del corretto timing rispetto ad altre terapie e l’estensione alle cosiddette neoplasie orfane di RLT. Parallelamente si stanno sviluppando nuove strategie radiofarmacologiche per potenziare il modello teragnostico attualmente in uso. In questa rassegna verranno descritte le tappe fondamentali che hanno portato all’approvazione della RLT nei GEP-NET e verranno discusse criticità attuali e prospettive future di tale approccio terapeutico.
Multiscale modelling and characterisation of fused filament fabricated neat and graphene nanoplatelet reinforced G-polymers
Authors: Parnian Pooyan , Shojaee Mohammad , Weeger Oliver , D’Amore Alberto
Published: September 2024

In this study, the fused filament fabrication of novel biodegradable G-polymer is investigated, including also filaments reinforced by graphene nanoplatelets. A combined framework of computational multiscale modelling and experimental studies is applied to characterise and model the mechanical behaviour of composite and nanocomposite materials, fabricated using a 3D-printer by depositing G-polymer filaments in +45$$^\circ$$

∘

and $$-45^\circ$$

-

45
∘

angles. The investigation is performed on both hot-extruded single filaments and 3D-printed specimens. Experimental results of hot-extruded single filaments are utilized on the microscale to extract the macroscale constitutive models. At the microscale level, representative volume elements with different percentages of penetration are analyzed to compute the effective orthotropic elastic material properties. A comprehensive comparison study is conducted using different micromechanical models, multiscale simulation outputs, and the mechanical properties resulting from experiments. The accuracy of the results obtained from the homogenization technique is validated against realistic finite element microstructural models and experimental measurements. The results demonstrate that computational homogenization, when coupled with accurate property characterisation, serves as a reliable tool for predicting the elastic response of 3D-printed parts. Furthermore, the proposed framework reduces the need for extensive experimental replication and lowers manufacturing costs.
Towards online training for RL-based query optimizer
Authors: Ramadan Mohamed , Mokhtar Hoda M. O. , Sobh Ibrahim , El-Kilany Ayman
Published: September 2024

Join query optimization aims to find the best join order for tables in a query, which is critical for query processing performance. Recently, reinforcement learning models have been proposed to solve the challenges existing with query processing and join query optimization. However, changes in the data distribution can turn the trained reinforcement learning models into obsolete models, resulting in longer execution times. In this paper, we propose a new training strategy in order to extend the existing reinforcement learning models and improve their adaptation when the data distribution changes. The experiments show that the proposed strategy has a significant benefit in decreasing training time for the models given the changes in the data distribution.
Inverse Problems for One-Dimensional Fluid-Solid Interaction Models
Authors: Apraiz J. , Doubova A. , Fernández-Cara E. , Yamamoto M.
Published: September 2024

We consider a one-dimensional fluid-solid interaction model governed by the Burgers equation with a time varying interface. We discuss the inverse problem of determining the shape of the interface from Dirichlet and Neumann data at one endpoint of the spatial interval. In particular, we establish unique results and some conditional stability estimates. For the proofs, we use and adapt some lateral estimates that, in turn, rely on appropriate Carleman and interpolation inequalities.
Advanced Regenerative Medicines for Rare Diseases: A Review of Industry Sponsors Investment Motivations
Authors: Ogbogu Ubaka , Nel Anja
Published: September 2024

Despite regulatory changes designed to stimulate investment in therapies for rare diseases, many of these conditions lack government-approved treatments. Advanced regenerative medicines, which are therapies and clinical interventions aimed at healing or replacing damaged or defective human cells, tissues, and organs, offer great promise for addressing many rare diseases. A major challenge facing advanced regenerative medicines for rare diseases is securing financial support to assist in bringing a therapy to market. This paper describes the factors cited by pharmaceutical industry players globally for sponsoring the development of advanced regenerative medicines for rare diseases. The paper examines the motivations of 53 sponsors that meet the latter criteria. The motivations behind investments were broadly similar amongst sponsors and map closely onto regulatory requirements for clinical development and marketing authorization of advanced therapeutic products, including the presence of accelerated or attenuated pathways for regulatory approval, use for indications with high unmet medical needs, and/or that have advantages over existing therapies, and robust preclinical data. Other factors include availability of investment incentives and opportunities for off-label use in the post-approval stages.
Assessing the impacts of vegetation loss and land surface temperature on Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) in Gazipur District, Bangladesh
Authors: Salam Mehereen , Islam Md. Kamrul , Jahan Israt , Chowdhury Md. Arif
Published: September 2024

Rapid replacement of vegetated land with impermeable land (built-up areas) is a major factor in the increase in Land Surface Temperature (LST), while increased LST worsens the temperature in cities and creates the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) effect. The study aims to measure vegetation loss and Land Surface Temperature of the Gazipur district between 2000 and 2020 and explore the relationship among Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), LST, and Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI). The Landsat TM/OLI images with minimum cloud coverage have been used to derive different indices. The mean NDVI values are 0.21, 0.16, and 0.22 in 2000, 2010, and 2020 respectively which indicates a general improvement in the health of the vegetation. Besides, the highest LST values throughout 20 years, represent a general increasing trend. As a consequence, different land covers have experienced fluctuations in mean temperature. The result shows that the mean temperature of bare land, buildup, vegetation, and waterbody has increased by 4.77, 2.01, 2.25, and 2.23 °C respectively from 2000 to 2020. The strongest SUHI zone’s area grew by about 28% between 2000 and 2020. Additionally, the highest index value of UTFVI was 0.39 in 2000 and grew to 0.43 in 2010. It changed to 0.49 in 2020, or ten years later. Thus, the SUHI effect’s increasing intensity is visible. Also, regression analysis has been used to explore the correlation between the derived indices. Stakeholders from different sectors like urban planners and policymakers may take insights from this study to work to promote greenery for a healthy urban environment.
Energy efficient spike transformer accelerator at the edge
Authors: Du Congpeng , Wen Qi , Wei Zhiqiang , Zhang Hao
Published: September 2024

Large language models are widely used across various applications owing to their superior performance. However, their high computational cost makes deployment on edge devices challenging. Spiking neural networks (SNNs), with their power-efficient, event-driven binary operations, offer a promising alternative. Combining SNNs and transformers is expected to be an effective solution for edge computing. This study proposes an energy-efficient spike transformer accelerator, which is the base component of the large language models, for edge computing, combining the efficiency of SNNs with the performance of transformer models. The design achieves performance levels comparable to traditional transformers while maintaining the lower power consumption characteristic of SNNs. To enhance hardware efficiency, a specialized computation engine and novel datapath for the spike transformer are introduced. The proposed design is implemented on the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ ZCU102 device, demonstrating significant improvements in energy consumption over previous transformer accelerators. It even surpasses some recent binary transformer accelerators in efficiency. Implementation results confirm that the proposed spike transformer accelerator is a feasible solution for running transformer models on edge devices.
Outcomes of Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Tuberculum Sellae and Planum Sphenoidale Meningiomas: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Schroeder Lynn Abigail , Starreveld Yves Pieter
Published: September 2024

Background:

To evaluate clinical outcomes and volumetric changes following endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for tuberculum sellae (TS) and planum sphenoidale (PS) meningiomas. Key objectives included evaluating pre- and postoperative tumor volumes, visual assessments and EEA-related complications.

Methods:

A single-center retrospective study was conducted at Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, Canada, from 2009 to 2022 including 24 patients meeting inclusion criteria for midline skull base tumors, confirmed as WHO Grade I or II meningiomas with optic canal extension.

Results:

EEA achieved gross total resection in 87.5% of cases, with a mean tumor volume reduction of 92.24%. Postoperatively, 91.67% exhibited visual improvement or stability. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks occurred in 12.5% of cases, necessitating revision surgery in one case. Persistent postoperative endocrine dysfunction affected 4.17%. Preoperative tumor volume did not demonstrate a correlation with complications.

Conclusions:

This study delivers reproducible data for pre- and postoperative tumor volume following the EEA after TS or PS meningiomas. The EEA demonstrated favorable radiographic and clinical outcomes in TS and PS meningiomas, achieving gross total resection with minimal morbidity.
Developing decision support tools for high-risk women and healthcare providers to increase chemoprevention informed choice and uptake: A retrospective translational science case study
Authors: Pope Leah G. , Abedin Zainab , Crew Katherine D. , Kukafka Rita , Pincus Harold Alan
Published: September 2024

Retrospective case studies are one approach to help identify processes underlying the translation of successful health interventions. This case study investigates the development of RealRisks and Breast Cancer Risk Navigation (BNAV), decision support tools for breast cancer risk assessment, and risk-stratified prevention. Following a recently developed protocol for retrospective translational science case studies, we examined the career trajectory of Dr Katherine Crew as she expanded from basic science to interdisciplinary, patient-oriented research in oncology and began collaboration with Dr Rita Kukafka, a public health informatician focused on communicating risk. Data collection methods included key informant interviews and examination of peer-reviewed publications, funded grants, and news articles associated with the research. Data were analyzed to identify key milestones in the development of RealRisks and BNAV and to elucidate facilitators and barriers to the translational process. Facilitators to translation included funding and infrastructure provided by a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), the creation of an interdisciplinary team, and broad support from stakeholders including patient advocacy groups. Barriers to translation included limited mid-career support, ongoing costs for technology, and the time required to establish interdisciplinary, team science efforts. The findings reported here can be used to inform ongoing efforts to develop a more robust science of translation.
Multiplication cubes and multiplication automata
Authors: KOPRA JOHAN
Published: September 2024

We extend previously known two-dimensional multiplication tiling systems that simulate multiplication by two natural numbers p and q in base
$pq$
to higher dimensional multiplication tessellation systems. We develop the theory of these systems and link different multiplication tessellation systems with each other via macrotile operations that glue cubes in one tessellation system into larger cubes of another tessellation system. The macrotile operations yield topological conjugacies and factor maps between cellular automata performing multiplication by positive numbers in various bases.
Symbolic dynamics for pointwise hyperbolic systems on open regions
Authors: WU CHUPENG , ZHOU YUNHUA
Published: September 2024

Under certain conditions, we construct a countable Markov partition for pointwise hyperbolic diffeomorphism
$f:M\rightarrow M$
on an open invariant subset
$O\subset M$
, which allows the Lyapunov exponents to be zero. From this partition, we define a symbolic extension that is finite-to-one and onto a subset of O that carries the same finite f-invariant measures as O. Our method relies upon shadowing theory of a recurrent-pointwise-pseudo-orbit that we introduce. As a canonical application, we estimate the number of closed orbits for f.
Real world experience with the TREO device in standard EVAR: Mid-term	results of 150 cases from a German Multicenter study
Authors: Zerwes Sebastian , Ciura Ana-Maria , Eckstein Hans-Henning , Heiser Oksana , Kalder Johannes , Keschenau Paula , Lescan Mario , Rylski Bartosz , Kondov Stoyan , Teßarek Jörg , Bruijnen Hans-Kees , Hyhlik-Dürr Alexander
Published: September 2024

Summary: Background: The objective of the study was to analyze mid-term results of unselected patients treated with the TREO (Terumo Aortic, Florida, USA) device at six German hospital sites. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective analysis of patients treated within and outside instructions for use (IFU) from January 2017 to November 2020 was performed. Primary outcomes were technical success, mortality and endograft related complications according to IFU status. Secondary outcomes were aneurysm/procedure related re-interventions. Results: 150 patients (92% male, mean age 73 ±8 years) were treated (within IFU 84% vs. outside IFU 16%) with the TREO device for abdominal aortic aneurysms (n=127 intact, n=17 symptomatic and n=6 ruptured; p=0.30). Technical success was achieved in 147/150 (within IFU 99% vs. outside IFU 92%, p=0.08). 30-day mortality was 2%, one year and overall mortality was 3% and 5%. During a mean follow-up of 28.4 months (range: 1–67.4 months), 35 (25%; within IFU 23% vs. outside IFU 35%, p=0.23) patients suffered from endoleaks. The majority were endoleaks type II (n=33), the remaining type Ia (n=5) and type Ib (n=3). No endoleaks type III-V, migrations or aneurysm ruptures occurred. Overall, 19 patients (13%; within IFU 13% vs. 15% outside IFU, p=0.70) received a secondary intervention: nine endoleak related endovascular procedures, three open conversions, two endograft limb related interventions, four surgical revisions of the femoral access sites and two bowl ischemia related procedures, respectively. Conclusions: This non industry-sponsored, multicenter trial indicates that using the TREO device in a real-world setting (both within and outside IFU) seems feasible in the treatment of patients suffering from AAA. While the rate of complications and secondary interventions is in line with previously published data, the findings highlight the fact that standard EVAR is associated with serious adverse events.
Quantitative and Nuanced Approaches Elucidate Carbon Isotope Records
Authors: Hagen Cedric J.
Published: September 2024

Earth scientists have leveraged carbon isotope records to interpret Earth history and establish chronostratigraphic frameworks for decades (e.g., Halverson et al., 2005, https://doi.org/10.1130/b25630.1; Kaufman & Knoll, 1995, https://doi.org/10.1016/0301‐9268(94)00070‐8; Knoll et al., 1986, https://doi.org/10.1038/321832a0; Saltzman & Thomas, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1016/b978‐0‐444‐59425‐9.00011‐1; Scholle & Arthur, 1980, https://doi.org/10.1306/2f91892d‐16ce‐11d7‐8645000102c1865d). Increasingly detailed and nuanced approaches have been applied to understanding carbon isotope records in light of local‐ and regional‐scale processes that complicate interpretations. The recent work of Gazdewich et al. (2024, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gc011376) is a prescient example, in which they conduct a series of analyses to constrain the influence of authigenic carbonate burial on the global carbon isotope mass balance during the Late Devonian. Here, I briefly review some recent developments in quantitative approaches to understanding carbon isotope values measured from carbonate rocks (δ13Ccarb), with a focus on comparisons of measured δ13Ccarb values, models for understanding what controls δ13Ccarb values, and correlation tools for aligning δ13Ccarb stratigraphies. These new approaches are elucidating carbon isotope records across Earth history and may prove to be transformative for our understanding of the global carbon cycle.
Sex difference in human diseases: mechanistic insights and clinical implications
Authors: Shi Yuncong , Ma Jianshuai , Li Sijin , Liu Chao , Liu Yuning , Chen Jie , Liu Ningning , Liu Shiming , Huang Hui
Published: September 2024

Sex characteristics exhibit significant disparities in various human diseases, including prevalent cardiovascular diseases, cancers, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Risk profiles and pathological manifestations of these diseases exhibit notable variations between sexes. The underlying reasons for these sex disparities encompass multifactorial elements, such as physiology, genetics, and environment. Recent studies have shown that human body systems demonstrate sex-specific gene expression during critical developmental stages and gene editing processes. These genes, differentially expressed based on different sex, may be regulated by androgen or estrogen-responsive elements, thereby influencing the incidence and presentation of cardiovascular, oncological, metabolic, immune, and neurological diseases across sexes. However, despite the existence of sex differences in patients with human diseases, treatment guidelines predominantly rely on male data due to the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials. At present, there exists a substantial knowledge gap concerning sex-specific mechanisms and clinical treatments for diverse diseases. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate the advances of sex differences on human diseases by examining epidemiological factors, pathogenesis, and innovative progress of clinical treatments in accordance with the distinctive risk characteristics of each disease and provide a new theoretical and practical basis for further optimizing individualized treatment and improving patient prognosis.
Non-coding RNAs in the spotlight of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of cutaneous T cell lymphoma
Authors: He Xiao , Zhang Qian , Wang Yimeng , Sun Jiachen , Zhang Ying , Zhang Chunlei
Published: September 2024

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a group of primary and secondary cutaneous malignancies characterized by aberrant T-cells in the skin. Diagnosing CTCL in its early stage can be difficult because of CTCL’s ability to mimic benign cutaneous inflammatory skin diseases. CTCL has multiple subtypes with different disease progression and diagnostic parameters despite similar clinical manifestations. The accurate diagnosis and prognosis of a varied range of diseases require the detection of molecular entities to capture the complete footprint of disease physiology. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have recently been discovered as major regulators of CTCL gene expression. They can affect tumor cell growth, migration, programmed cell death (PCD), and immunoregulation through interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME), which in turn affect CTCL progression. This review summarizes recent advances in how ncRNAs regulate CTCL cell activity, especially their role in PCD. It also discusses the potential use of ncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for different subtypes of CTCL. Furthermore, prospective targets and therapeutic approaches influenced by ncRNAs are presented. A better appreciation of the intricate epigenetic landscape of CTCL is expected to facilitate the creation of innovative targeted therapies for the condition.
Deep intravital brain tumor imaging enabled by tailored three-photon microscopy and analysis
Authors: Schubert Marc Cicero , Soyka Stella Judith , Tamimi Amr , Maus Emanuel , Schroers Julian , Wißmann Niklas , Reyhan Ekin , Tetzlaff Svenja Kristin , Yang Yvonne , Denninger Robert , Peretzke Robin , Beretta Carlo , Drumm Michael , Heuer Alina , Buchert Verena , Steffens Alicia , Walshon Jordain , McCortney Kathleen , Heiland Sabine , Bendszus Martin , Neher Peter , Golebiewska Anna , Wick Wolfgang , Winkler Frank , Breckwoldt Michael O. , Kreshuk Anna , Kuner Thomas , Horbinski Craig , Kurz Felix Tobias , Prevedel Robert , Venkataramani Varun
Published: September 2024

Intravital 2P-microscopy enables the longitudinal study of brain tumor biology in superficial mouse cortex layers. Intravital microscopy of the white matter, an important route of glioblastoma invasion and recurrence, has not been feasible, due to low signal-to-noise ratios and insufficient spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we present an intravital microscopy and artificial intelligence-based analysis workflow (Deep3P) that enables longitudinal deep imaging of glioblastoma up to a depth of 1.2 mm. We find that perivascular invasion is the preferred invasion route into the corpus callosum and uncover two vascular mechanisms of glioblastoma migration in the white matter. Furthermore, we observe morphological changes after white matter infiltration, a potential basis of an imaging biomarker during early glioblastoma colonization. Taken together, Deep3P allows for a non-invasive intravital investigation of brain tumor biology and its tumor microenvironment at subcortical depths explored, opening up opportunities for studying the neuroscience of brain tumors and other model systems.
Controlled mechanochemical coupling of anti-junctions in DNA origami arrays
Authors: Cole Fiona , Pfeiffer Martina , Wang Dongfang , Schröder Tim , Ke Yonggang , Tinnefeld Philip
Published: September 2024

Allostery is a hallmark of cellular function and important in every biological system. Still, we are only starting to mimic it in the laboratory. Here, we introduce an approach to study aspects of allostery in artificial systems. We use a DNA origami domino array structure which–upon binding of trigger DNA strands–undergoes a stepwise allosteric conformational change. Using two FRET probes placed at specific positions in the DNA origami, we zoom in into single steps of this reaction cascade. Most of the steps are strongly coupled temporally and occur simultaneously. Introduction of activation energy barriers between different intermediate states alters this coupling and induces a time delay. We then apply these approaches to release a cargo DNA strand at a predefined step in the reaction cascade to demonstrate the applicability of this concept in tunable cascades of mechanochemical coupling with both spatial and temporal control.
ARViS: a bleed-free multi-site automated injection robot for accurate, fast, and dense delivery of virus to mouse and marmoset cerebral cortex
Authors: Nomura Shinnosuke , Terada Shin-Ichiro , Ebina Teppei , Uemura Masato , Masamizu Yoshito , Ohki Kenichi , Matsuzaki Masanori
Published: September 2024

Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors continue to be developed and improved. If they could be expressed across multiple cortical areas in non-human primates, it would be possible to measure a variety of spatiotemporal dynamics of primate-specific cortical activity. Here, we develop an Automated Robotic Virus injection System (ARViS) for broad expression of a biosensor. ARViS consists of two technologies: image recognition of vasculature structures on the cortical surface to determine multiple injection sites without hitting them, and robotic control of micropipette insertion perpendicular to the cortical surface with 50 μm precision. In mouse cortex, ARViS sequentially injected virus solution into 100 sites over a duration of 100 min with a bleeding probability of only 0.1% per site. Furthermore, ARViS successfully achieved 266-site injections over the frontoparietal cortex of a female common marmoset. We demonstrate one-photon and two-photon calcium imaging in the marmoset frontoparietal cortex, illustrating the effective expression of biosensors delivered by ARViS.
North Atlantic temperature control on deoxygenation in the northern tropical Pacific
Authors: Pichevin Laetitia E. , Bollasina Massimo , Nederbragt Alexandra J. , Ganeshram Raja S.
Published: September 2024

Ocean oxygen content is decreasing with global change. A major challenge for modelling future declines in oxygen concentration is our lack of knowledge of the natural variability associated with marine oxygen inventory on interannual and multidecadal timescales. Here, we present 10 annually resolved 200 year-long records of denitrification, a marker of deoxygenation, from a varved sedimentary archive in the North Pacific oxygen minimum zone covering key periods over the last glacial–interglacial cycle. Spectral analyses on these records reveal strong signals at periodicities typical of today’s Atlantic multidecadal oscillation. Modern subsurface circulation reanalyses regressed on the positive Atlantic and Pacific Climatic Oscillation indices further confirm that North Atlantic temperature patterns are the main control on the subsurface zonal circulation and therefore the most likely dominant driver of oxygen variability in the tropical Pacific. With currently increasing temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes and North Atlantic, we suggest deoxygenation will intensify in the region.
Intracellular morphogenesis of diatom silica is guided by local variations in membrane curvature
Authors: Aram Lior , de Haan Diede , Varsano Neta , Gilchrist James B. , Heintze Christoph , Rotkopf Ron , Rechav Katya , Elad Nadav , Kröger Nils , Gal Assaf
Published: September 2024

Silica cell-wall formation in diatoms is a showcase for the ability of organisms to control inorganic mineralization. The process of silicification by these unicellular algae is tightly regulated within a membrane-bound organelle, the silica deposition vesicle (SDV). Two opposing scenarios were proposed to explain the tight regulation of this intracellular process: a template-mediated process that relies on preformed scaffolds, or a template-independent self-assembly process. The present work points to a third scenario, where the SDV membrane is a dynamic mold that shapes the forming silica. We use in-cell cryo-electron tomography to visualize the silicification process in situ, in its native-state, and with a nanometer-scale resolution. This reveals that the plasma membrane interacts with the SDV membrane via physical tethering at membrane contact sites, where the curvature of the tethered side of the SDV membrane mirrors the intricate silica topography. We propose that silica growth and morphogenesis result from the biophysical properties of the SDV and plasma membranes.
Strategy to mitigate substrate inhibition in wastewater treatment systems
Authors: Li Beiying , Liu Conghe , Bai Jingjing , Huang Yikun , Su Run , Wei Yan , Ma Bin
Published: September 2024

Global urbanization requires more stable and sustainable wastewater treatment to reduce the burden on the water environment. To address the problem of substrate inhibition of microorganisms during wastewater treatment, which leads to unstable wastewater discharge, this study proposes an approach to enhance the tolerance of bacterial community by artificially setting up a non-lethal high substrate environment. And the feasibility of this approach was explored by taking the inhibition of anammox process by nitrite as an example. It was shown that the non-lethal high substrate environment could enhance the nitrite tolerance of anammox bacterial community, as the specific anammox activity increasing up to 24.71 times at high nitrite concentrations. Moreover, the system composed of anammox bacterial community with high nitrite tolerance also showed greater resistance (two-fold) in response to nitrite shock. The antifragility of the system was enhanced without affecting the operation of the main reactor, and the non-lethal high nitrite environment changed the dominant anammox genera to Candidatus Jettenia. This approach to enhance tolerance of bacterial community in a non-lethal high substrate environment not only allows the anammox system to operate stably, but also promises to be a potential strategy for achieving stable biological wastewater treatment processes to comply with standards.
Nutritional status and extended metabolic screening in Egyptian children with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes
Authors: Sakhr Hala M. , Hassan Mohammed H. , Ahmed Ahmed El-Abd , Rashwan Nagwan I. , Abdel-Aziz Rehab H. , Gouda Amr S. , Toghan Rana
Published: September 2024

Nutritional status assessment, including amino acids, carnitine, and acylcarnitine profile, is an important component of diabetes care management, influencing growth and metabolic regulation. A designed case–control research included 100 Egyptian participants (50 T1DM and 50 healthy controls) aged 6 to 18 years old. The participants' nutritional status was assessed using the Body Mass Index (BMI) Z-score. Extended metabolic screening (EMS) was performed using a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy system to evaluate the levels of 14 amino acids, free carnitine, and 27 carnitine esters. T1DM children had considerably lower anthropometric Z-scores than the control group, with 16% undernutrition and 32% short stature. Total aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine, phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio, proline, arginine, leucine, isoleucine, free carnitine, and carnitine esters levels were considerably lower in the diabetic group, suggesting an altered amino acid and carnitine metabolism in type 1 diabetes. BMI Z-score showed a significant positive correlation with Leucine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Citrulline, Tyrosine, Arginine, Proline, free carnitine, and some carnitine esters (Acetylcarnitine, Hydroxy-Isovalerylcarnitine, Hexanoylcarnitine, Methylglutarylcarnitine, Dodecanoylcarnitine, Tetradecanoylcarnitine, and Hexadecanoylcarnitine). HbA1c% had a significant negative correlation with Total aromatic amino acids, Branched-chain amino acid/Total aromatic amino acids ratio, Glutamic Acid, Citrulline, Tyrosine, Arginine, Proline, and certain carnitine esters (Propionylcarnitine, Methylglutarylcarnitine, Decanoylcarnitine, Octadecanoylcarnitine and Octadecenoylcarnitine), suggest that dysregulated amino acid and carnitine metabolism may be negatively affect the glycaemic control in children with TIDM. In conclusion, regular nutritional assessments including EMS of T1DM patients are critical in terms of diet quality and protein content for improved growth and glycemic management.
Parameter extraction of proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on artificial rabbits’ optimization algorithm and conducting laboratory tests
Authors: Baz Faisal B. , El Sehiemy Ragab A. , Bayoumi Ahmed S. A. , Abaza Amlak
Published: September 2024

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) parameter extraction is an important issue in modeling and control of renewable energies. The PEMFC problem’s main objective is to estimate the optimal value of unknown parameters of the electrochemical model. The main objective function of the optimization problem is the sum of the square errors between the measured voltages and output voltages of the proposed electrochemical optimized model at various loading conditions. Natural rabbit survival strategies such as detour foraging and random hiding are influenced by Artificial rabbit optimization (ARO). Meanwhile, rabbit energy shrink is mimicked to control the smooth switching from detour foraging to random hiding. In this work, the ARO algorithm is proposed to find the parameters of PEMFC. The ARO performance is verified using experimental results obtained from conducting laboratory tests on the fuel cell test system (SCRIBNER 850e, LLC). The simulation results are assessed with four competitive algorithms: Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimizer, Salp Swarm Algorithm, and Sine Cosine Algorithm. The comparison aims to prove the superior performance of the proposed ARO compared with the other well-known competitive algorithms.
Edge treatment for spurious mode suppression in thin-film lithium niobate resonators
Authors: Aryal Arjun , Tiwari Sidhant , Branch Darren W. , Siddiqui Aleem , Busani Tito
Published: September 2024

Thin-film lithium niobate is an attractive material for RF acoustic devices because of its high electromechanical coupling. However, due to the large coupling and the high anisotropy, thin-film lithium niobate resonators are prone to accidental resonances called spurious modes. These modes compromise the frequency response of the resonators, limiting their use in filter and oscillator applications. In this work, we present a novel method of spurious mode suppression through a special edge treatment etch process. Two thin-film lithium niobate resonators were fabricated, one with smooth sidewalls and one with the edge treatment. It was found that the edge-treated resonators show a weaker spurious mode response. This is potentially a new way to mitigate spurious resonances, a major issue in lithium niobate Lamb wave devices.
Rate of revision and wear penetration in different polyethylene liner compositions in total hip arthroplasty: a Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Betsch Marcel , Maffulli Nicola , Schäfer Luise , Hildebrand Frank , Kubach Joshua , Pasurka Mario
Published: September 2024

The present Bayesian network meta-analysis compared different types of polyethylene liners in total hip arthroplasty (THA) in terms of wear penetration (mm/year) and rate of revision. The type of liners compared were the crosslinked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (CPE/UHMWPE), Vitamin E infused highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE-VEPE), modified cross-linked polyethylene (MXLPE), highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE), Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE). This study was conducted according to the PRISMA extension statement for reporting systematic reviews incorporating network meta-analyses of healthcare interventions. In June 2024, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were accessed. A time constraint was set from January 2000. All investigations which compared two or more types of polyethylene liners for THA were accessed. Only studies that clearly stated the nature of the liner were included. Data from 60 studies (37,352 THAs) were collected. 56% of patients were women. The mean age of patients was 60.0 ± 6.6 years, the mean BMI was 27.5 ± 2.0 kg/m2. The mean length of follow-up was 81.6 ± 44.4 months. Comparability was found at baseline between groups. XLPE and HXLPE liners in THA are associated with the lowest wear penetration (mm/year) and the lowest revision rate at approximately 7 years of follow-up.
Urban growth simulation and scenario projection for the arid regions using heuristic cellular automata
Authors: Tang Xiaoyan , Liu Funan , Hu Xinling
Published: September 2024

Arid regions tend to form compact urban patterns that have significant implications on urban growth and future urban patterns. Spatial simulation and projection using cellular automata (CA)-based models are important for achieving sustainable urban development in arid regions. In response to this need, we developed a new CA model (GSA-CA) using the gravitational search algorithm (GSA) to capture and project urban growth patterns in arid regions. We calibrated the GSA-CA model for the arid city of Urumqi in Northwest China from 2000 to 2010, and validated the model from 2010 to 2020, and then applied to project urban growth in 2040. The results indicated that the optimal performance of the model was achieved when the fraction of the population was 0.5. GSA-CA achieved an overall accuracy of 98.42% and a figure of merit (FOM) of 43.03% for the year 2010, and an overall accuracy of 98.52% with FOM of 37.64% for 2020. The results of the study help to adjust urban planning and development policies. The developed model has the potential to be employed in simulating urban growth and future scenarios in arid regions globally, including Northwest China and Africa.
Selectivity analysis of diaminopyrimidine-based inhibitors of MTHFD1, MTHFD2 and MTHFD2L
Authors: Jha Vibhu , Eriksson Leif A.
Published: September 2024

The mitochondrial enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD2) is involved in purine and thymidine synthesis via 1C metabolism. MTHFD2 is exclusively overexpressed in cancer cells but absent in most healthy adult human tissues. However, the two close homologs of MTHFD2 known as MTHFD1 and MTHFD2L are expressed in healthy adult human tissues and share a great structural resemblance to MTHFD2 with 54% and 89% sequence similarity, respectively. It is therefore notably challenging to find selective inhibitors of MTHFD2 due to the structural similarity, in particular protein binding site similarity with MTHFD1 and MTHFD2L. Tricyclic coumarin-based compounds (substrate site binders) and xanthine derivatives (allosteric site binders) are the only selective inhibitors of MTHFD2 reported till date. Nanomolar potent diaminopyrimidine-based inhibitors of MTHFD2 have been reported recently, however, they also demonstrate significant inhibitory activities against MTHFD1 and MTHFD2L. In this study, we have employed extensive computational modeling involving molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations in order to investigate the binding modes and key interactions of diaminopyrimidine-based inhibitors at the substrate binding sites of MTHFD1, MTHFD2 and MTHFD2L, and compare with the tricyclic coumarin-based selective MTHFD2 inhibitor. The outcomes of our study provide significant insights into desirable and undesirable structural elements for rational structure-based design of new and selective inhibitors of MTHFD2 against cancer.
Nutritional value, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant potential of Iranian fenugreeks for food applications
Authors: Bakhtiar Ziba , Hassandokht Mohammadreza , Naghavi Mohammad Reza , Mirjalili Mohammad Hossein
Published: September 2024

Fenugreeks (Trigonella L. spp.), are well-known herbs belonging to the family Fabaceae, whose fresh and dried leaves have nutritional and medicinal value. In the present study, the content of phytochemical traits (essential oil, diosgenin, trigonelline, total phenol, total flavonoid, total saponins, and total tannins), bitterness value, pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoid, β-carotene, and anthocyanin), vitamins (group B vitamins and ascorbic acid), minerals, and antioxidant activity of thirty cultivated populations belonging to ten Trigonella species were evaluated. The species and populations were significantly different in all studied parameters. A significant positive and negative correlation (p < 0.05) was also observed between the studied parameters. In total, T. teheranica, T. elliptica, and T. foenum-graecum were distinguished as superior species. The results showed that fenugreeks leaves can be considered as a valuable source of food and phytochemical compounds. The obtained data can be help to expand the inventory of wild and cultivated Trigonella species for further exploitation of rich chemotypes in the new foods and specific applications.