bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive review of monitoring methods for erectile dysfunction diagnosis
Authors: Sng Chee Ming Noel , Ang Darrion , Lee Zhi Kai Kirby , Bhagat Ali Asgar S.
Published: May 2024

Background

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is commonly associated with cardiovascular diseases and age. However, it is important to note that it can also affect younger males, potentially serving as an early indicator of compromised overall health. Despite the high prevalence, ED remains underdiagnosed due to factors such as reluctance to testing, concerns about privacy, and the persistent social stigma surrounding the condition.

Objective

This review offers an overview of diagnostic and monitoring devices employed in the assessment of nocturnal ED and aims to assess both historical and recent developments in this field. It considers the emerging technological trends in digital innovation, particularly in the context of home‐based decentralized healthcare settings.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed via PubMed using keywords ‘nocturnal penile tumescence’, ‘NPT’, ‘sleep‐related erection’, ‘SRE’, ‘rigidity monitoring’, ‘NPTR’, ‘tumescence monitoring’, ‘erectile dysfunction’ and ‘smart wearable’. All relevant literature was retrieved and reviewed. Web‐based Google and manual searches of references were also performed to identify relevant articles and solutions missed by online indexes.

Findings

An increasing number of methods and solutions are integrating digital technologies, harnessing sensors, and utilizing data analytics for continuous monitoring and AI‐assisted prediction of ED.

Conclusion

The future of ED monitoring is expected to leverage digital technologies to enhance evaluation, monitoring, and accurate diagnosis in decentralized healthcare environments maintaining patient privacy and driving early detection and intervention.
Spanning cycles in random directed graphs
Authors: Montgomery Richard
Published: May 2024

We show that, in almost every ‐vertex random directed graph process, a copy of every possible ‐vertex oriented cycle will appear strictly before a directed Hamilton cycle does, except of course for the directed cycle itself. Furthermore, given an arbitrary ‐vertex oriented cycle, we determine the sharp threshold for its appearance in the binomial random directed graph. These results confirm, in a strong form, a conjecture of Ferber and Long.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Magnetic Molecular Imprinted Polymer for Tetracycline Quantification in Food Samples
Authors: Zeb Shakeel , Wong Ademar , Khan Sabir , Hussain Sajjad , Sotomayor Maria D. P. T.
Published: May 2024

In the present work, we synthesized and tested a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (mag‐MIP) sensor for the detection of tetracycline in food samples. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrofluorometry were employed for tetracycline determination. The mag‐MIP was polymerized on the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles using the following substances: 4 mmol of methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, 20 mmol of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross‐linking agent, 82.5 mg of benzoyl peroxide as the radical initiator, and 30 ml of acetonitrile as the solvent. The physicochemical characteristics of the proposed mag‐MIP, including adsorption capabilities and selectivity, were studied and compared with those of a magnetic non‐molecularly imprinted polymer (mag‐NIP). The analytical curve was constructed in the range of 1.0×10−5–8.0×10−5 mol L−1, LOD: 3.3×10−6, LOQ: 1.1×10−5 mol L−1. The results obtained from the adsorption analysis showed that the highest adsorption capacity of the mag‐MIP at equilibrium was 8.247 mg g−1 and that the tetracycline adsorption process followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and pseudo‐second‐order reaction kinetics. The proposed mag‐MIP also exhibited good results when subjected to fluorescence analysis; an increase in tetracycline concentration resulted in an increase in the adsorption capacity, and this led to the effective removal of tetracycline with the reduction of fluorescence intensity. The applicability of the proposed mag‐MIP was evaluated in honey, cow milk, and egg samples through recovery tests conducted using samples containing spiked tetracycline concentration at two different concentration levels (1.7×10−5 and 2.5×10−5 mol L−1), where we obtained recovery percentages in the range of 73.2–87.2 % (HPLC) and 90.5–103.7 % (spectrofluorometry).
Selective Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Through Plasmonic Z‐Scheme Ag‐Bi2O3‐ZnO Heterostructures
Authors: Alnaggar Gubran , Alkanad Khaled , Bajiri Mohammed Abdullah , Krishnappagowda Lokanath N. , Ananda Sannaiah , Drmosh Qasem A.
Published: May 2024

Combination of plasmonic noble metal with semiconductors offers a promising and potential solar energy harvesting and conversion route. Herein, plasmonic Z‐scheme Ag‐Bi2O3‐ZnO (AgBZ) heterostructure is designed and synthesized via solution combustion and photo‐deposition method. Metallic Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited over Bi2O3‐ZnO heterostructure; thus, they exhibit strong visible light absorption owing to surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The photocatalytic efficiency of the synthesized catalysts is investigated by the photocatalytic CO2 reduction to fuels under simulated solar light irradiation. The present system has shown an outstanding photocatalytic CO2 reduction and excellent selectivity of CO. The evolved rate of CO fuel, the amount of CO produced per unit time, over optimized Ag‐Bi2O3‐ZnO (3AgBZ) heterostructures was (96.74 μmol g−1/h) which was approximately 12 times larger than that of Bi2O3‐ZnO (0AgBZ) and 49‐fold than the quantity of evolved CO fuels over pure ZnO photocatalyst. The percentage of evolved CO to CH4 fuels over optimized Ag‐Bi2O3‐ZnO (3AgBZ) heterostructures was about 50 : 1compared to that of 2 : 3 over Bi2O3‐ZnO (0AgBZ). The great improvement and the high selectivity would be ascribed to the synergistic effect of metallic surface plasmon resonance and the Z‐scheme charges transfer system. This work would open a window to construct a single photocatalyst with different charge separation systems and excellent CO2 reduction selectivity. Finally, the mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic performance by the synergistic effect was described and discussed.
Localized Ionic Reinforcement of Double Network Granular Hydrogels
Authors: Thoma Alexandra , Amstad Esther
Published: May 2024

Nature produces soft materials with fascinating combinations of mechanical properties. For example, the mussel byssus embodies a combination of stiffness and toughness, a feature that is unmatched by synthetic hydrogels. Key to enabling these excellent mechanical properties are the well‐defined structures of natural materials and their compositions controlled on lengths scales down to tens of nanometers. The composition of synthetic materials can be controlled on a micrometer length scale if processed into densely packed microgels. However, these microgels are typically soft. Microgels can be stiffened by enhancing interactions between particles, for example through the formation of covalent bonds between their surfaces or a second interpenetrating hydrogel network. Nonetheless, changes in the composition of these synthetic materials occur on a micrometer length scale. Here, 3D printable load‐bearing granular hydrogels are introduced whose composition changes on the tens of nanometer length scale. The hydrogels are composed of jammed microgels encompassing tens of nm‐sized ionically reinforced domains that increase the stiffness of double network granular hydrogels up to 18‐fold. The printability of the ink and the local reinforcement of the resulting granular hydrogels are leveraged to 3D print a butterfly with composition and structural changes on a tens of nanometer length scale.
Surface Pinning of Mn by Oxidation State Control for the Synthesis of Cobalt‐Free, Ni‐Rich, Core/Shell Structured Cathode Materials
Authors: Shim JinHa , Kim Ye Jin , Bang Jin Ho
Published: May 2024

Motivated by the increasing cost, environmental concerns, and limited availability of Co, researchers are actively seeking alternative cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. A promising strategy involves structure‐modified materials, such as a NiMn core/shell system. This design leverages the high energy density of a Ni‐rich core while employing an Mn‐rich shell to enhance interfacial stability by suppressing unwanted reactions with the electrolyte. This approach offers improved cycling stability and reduced reliance on Co. However, the interdiffusion of Mn ions between the core and shell remains a significant challenge during synthesis. This work presents a facile approach to address the issue of Mn interdiffusion in core/shell cathode materials. The study demonstrates that partial oxidation of the precursor during the drying stage effectively enhances the Mn oxidation state. This strategy successfully suppresses Mn interdiffusion during subsequent calcination, leading to the preservation of the core/shell architecture in the final cathode material. This optimized structure mitigates interfacial reactions, enhances chemomechanical properties, and reduces crosstalk, a major contributor to rollover failure. This work presents a novel approach for synthesizing high‐performance core/shell cathode materials for next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries.
Starch Gel Electrolyte and its Interaction with Trivalent Aluminum for Aqueous Aluminum‐Ion Batteries: Enhanced Low Temperature Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Ramakrishnan Saraswathi , Sasirajan Little Flower Sajan Raj , Hanamantrao Desai Prashant , Kasiviswanathan Kavibharathy , Sesu Divya Catherin , Muthu Kesavan , Elumalai Varathan , Vediappan Kumaran
Published: May 2024

This study explores trivalent Al interaction with aqueous starch gel in the presence of two different anions through salting effect. Salting‐out nature of Al2(SO4)3·18H2O with starch gel causes precipitation of starch; this happens due to competitive anion‐water complex formation over starch–water interaction, thereby reducing polymer solubility. Salting‐in effect of AlCl3 with starch gel happens through Al3+ cation interaction with hydroxyl group of starch and increases polymer solubility, making gel electrolyte viable for battery applications. Prepared gel electrolyte exhibits ionic conductivity of 1.59 mS cm−1 and a high tAl3+ value of 0.77. The gel electrolyte's performance is studied using two different cathodes, the Al|MoO3 cell employing starch gel electrolyte achieves discharge capacity of 193 mA h g−1 and Al|MnO2 cell achieves discharge capacity of 140 mA h g−1 @0.1 A g−1 for first cycle. The diffusion coefficient of both cells using starch gel electrolyte is calculated and found to be 2.1 × 10−11 cm2 s−1 for Al|MoO3 and 3.1 × 10−11 cm2 s−1 for Al|MnO2 cells. The Al|MoO3 cell at lower temperature shows improved electrochemical performance with a specific capacity retention of ≈87.8% over 90 cycles. This kind of aqueous gel electrolyte operating at low temperature broadens the application for next generation sustainable batteries.
Vacancy Suppression and Resonant Level Rendering Extraordinary Power Factor in Sn0.99In0.01Te/Tourmaline Composite
Authors: Li Zhihao , Wang Long , Abbas Adeel , Zong Yujie , Tan Chang , Sun Yuqing , Wang Hongxiang , Su Wenbin , Wang Chunlei , Wang Hongchao
Published: May 2024

SnTe, as a potential medium‐temperature thermoelectric material, reaches a maximum power factor (PF) usually above 750 K, which is not conducive to continuous high‐power output in practical applications. In this study, PF is maintained at high values between 18.5 and 25 µW cm−1 K−2 for Sn0.99In0.01Te−x wt% tourmaline samples within the temperature range of 323 to 873 K, driving the highest PFeng of 1.2 W m−1 K−1 and PFave of 22.5 µW cm−1 K−2, over 2.5 times that of pristine SnTe. Such an extraordinary PF is attributed to the synergy of resonant levels and Sn vacancy suppression. Specifically, the Seebeck coefficient increases dramatically, reaching 88 µV K−1 at room temperature. Meanwhile, by Sn vacancy suppression, carrier concentration, and mobility are optimized to ≈1019 cm−3 and 740 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. With the tourmaline compositing, Sn vacancies are further suppressed and the thermal conductivity simultaneously decreases, with the minimum lattice thermal conductivity of 0.9 W m−1 K−1. Finally, the zT value ≈0.8 is obtained in the Sn0.99In0.01Te sample. The peak of the power output density reaches 0.89 W cm−2 at a temperature difference of 600 K. Such SnTe alloys with high and “temperature‐independent” PF will offer an option for realizing high output power in thermoelectric devices.
Introduction
Authors: Grote Gudela
Published: May 2024

This chapter outlines the aim of the book which is to explore the relationship between new challenges posed by climate change and the continued efforts to manage high-risk industrial installations well. A summary of the book chapters is provided to highlight theoretical, methodological and case study-based empirical insights into this complex relationship.
Climate Change, Global Scales and Safety
Authors: Le Coze Jean-Christophe
Published: May 2024

The argument of this chapter is that climate change is one change among many which currently affect the operating landscape of safety-critical systems, and that safety research should adapt its lenses to capture these changes. Climate change, which could, perhaps, preferably be described as global warming, should therefore not be considered in isolation but in relation to other changes (e.g., globalization, digitalization). One task for safety research is therefore to identify, to empirically study and to explore the implications of such changes for safety but also to address their theoretical consequences. Following a short presentation of a case study in the chemical industry, the proposition of Post Normal Accident is briefly introduced. It provides analytical lenses to conceptualize change through the notion of global scales shaping new causal regimes in safety, causal regimes expanding coupling and complexity well beyond Perrow’s initial use of the notions in the 1980s.
Generalized unitary evolution for symplectic scalar fermions
Authors: Lee Cheng-Yang
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The theory of symplectic scalar fermion of LeClair and Neubert is studied. The theory evades the conventional spin-statistics theorem because its Hamiltonian is pseudo Hermitian. The definition of pseudo Hermiticity is examined in the interacting and the Heisenberg picture. For states that evolve under pseudo Hermitian Hamiltonians, we define the appropriate inner-product and matrix element of operators that preserve time translation symmetry. The resulting S-matrix is shown to satisfy the generalized unitarity relation. We clarify the derivation of the symplectic currents and charges. By demanding the currents and charges to be pseudo Hermitian, the global symmetry of the free Lagrangian density reduces from Sp(2, ℂ) to SU(2). By explicit calculations, we show that the LeClair-Neubert model of N quartic self-interacting scalar fermions admits generalized unitary evolution.
The oblique parameters from arbitrary new fermions
Authors: Albergaria F. , Jurčiukonis D. , Lavoura L.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We compute the six oblique parameters S, T, U, V, W, X in a New Physics Model with an arbitrary number of new fermions, in arbitrary representations of SU(2) × U(1), and mixing arbitrarily among themselves. We show that S and U are automatically finite, but T is finite only if there is a specific relation between the masses of the new fermions and the representations of SU(2) × U(1) that they sit in. We apply our general computation to two illustrative cases.
Exendin-4 blockade of T1R2/T1R3 activation improves Pseudomonas aeruginosa-related pneumonia in an animal model of chemically induced diabetes
Authors: Yu Shanjun , Xu Chaoqun , Tang Xiang , Wang Lijun , Hu Lihua , Li Liang , Zhou Xiangdong , Li Qi
Published: May 2024

Objective

Poorly controlled diabetes frequently exacerbates lung infection, thereby complicating treatment strategies. Recent studies have shown that exendin-4 exhibits not only hypoglycemic but also anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to explore the role of exendin-4 in lung infection with diabetes, as well as its association with NOD1/NF-κB and the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor.

Methods

16HBE human bronchial epithelial cells cultured with 20 mM glucose were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). Furthermore, Sprague‒Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet, followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and intratracheal instillation of PA. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were evaluated using ELISAs and RT‒qPCR. The expression of T1R2, T1R3, NOD1 and NF-κB p65 was assayed using western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Pathological changes in the lungs of the rats were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Results

At the same dose of LPS, the 20 mM glucose group produced more proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and had higher levels of T1R2, T1R3, NOD1 and NF-κB p65 than the normal control group (with 5.6 mM glucose). However, preintervention with exendin-4 significantly reduced the levels of the aforementioned proinflammatory cytokines and signaling molecules. Similarly, diabetic rats infected with PA exhibited increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in their lungs and increased expression of T1R2, T1R3, NOD1 and NF-κB p65, and these effects were reversed by exendin-4.

Conclusions

Diabetic hyperglycemia can exacerbate inflammation during lung infection, promote the increase in NOD1/NF-κB, and promote T1R2/T1R3. Exendin-4 can ameliorate PA-related pneumonia with diabetes and overexpression of NOD1/NF-κB. Additionally, exendin-4 suppresses T1R2/T1R3, potentially through its hypoglycemic effect or through a direct mechanism. The correlation between heightened expression of T1R2/T1R3 and an intensified inflammatory response in lung infection with diabetes requires further investigation.
Organspende und Organassessment nach primärem Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand und sekundärem Hirntod
Authors: Müller Philip C. , Müller Beat P. , Dutkowski Philipp
Published: May 2024

Hintergrund

Der weltweite Organmangel ist das größte Hindernis, um die dringend notwendigen Lebertransplantationsaktivitäten auszuweiten. Um die Anzahl gespendeter Organe zu erhöhen, wurde in vielen europäischen Ländern neben der Spende nach Hirntod („donation after brain death“ [DBD]) auch die Spende bei primärem Herz-Kreislauf-Tod („donation after circulatory death“ [DCD]) und sekundärem Hirntod eingeführt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Es erfolgt eine Zusammenfassung der legalen und ethischen Aspekte des Herz-Kreislauf-Todes, des Prozesses der DCD-Spende, der klinischen Ergebnisse insbesondere in Bezug auf das Organassessment vor einer geplanten DCD-Lebertransplantation.

Ergebnisse

In Europa haben 11 Länder aktive DCD-Lebertransplantationsprogramme, und 2023 wurden in Europa insgesamt 1230 DCD-Lebertransplantationen durchgeführt. Den höchsten Anteil machten DCD-Lebertransplantationen in Belgien (52,8 %), Holland (42,8 %) und der Schweiz (32,1 %) aus. Die adäquate Selektion von Spendern und Empfängern ist bei DCD-Transplantationen entscheidend, und die Verwendung von DCD-Lebern hängt insbesondere von der Bereitschaft zur routinemäßigen Maschinenperfusion ab. Die Spitzenreiter Belgien, Frankreich und Italien implantieren rund 68–74 % aller DCD-Organe. Bei adäquatem Organassessment sind die Langzeitergebnisse von DBD- und DCD-Lebertransplantationen vergleichbar. Die hypotherme oxygenierte Maschinenperfusion (HOPE) erlaubt neben der Einschätzung des mitochondrialen Schadens gleichzeitig eine mitochondriale Protektion durch die Oxygenierung. Die Etablierung eines aeroben Stoffwechsels in Mitochondrien in der Hypothermie führt zu einer Reduktion toxischer Metabolite und zur Wiederherstellung der ATP(Adenosintriphosphat)-Speicher, dadurch kommt es anschließend bei der Implantation zu einer „Reperfusion Light“.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Erweiterung des Spenderpools durch DCD-Spender wirkt der weltweiten Organknappheit entgegen. Bei adäquater Selektion und routinemäßigem Organassessment sind sowohl Kurzzeit- als auch Langzeitergebnisse von DBD- und DCD-Lebertransplantationen vergleichbar.
Exploration of genes associated with induction of the viable but non-culturable state of Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Ohno Yurina , Rahman Md. Matiur , Maruyama Hiroe , Inoshima Yasuo , Okada Ayaka
Published: May 2024

Campylobacter jejuni is known to enter a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state when exposed to environmental stresses. Microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses were performed to elucidate the genes related to the induction of the VBNC state. The C. jejuni NCTC11168 strain was cultured under low-temperature or high-osmotic stress conditions to induce the VBNC state. mRNA expression in the VBNC state was investigated using microarray analysis, and the gene encoding peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein, Pal, was selected as the internal control gene using qPCR analysis and software. The three genes showing particularly large increases in mRNA expression, cj1500, cj1254, and cj1040, were involved in respiration, DNA repair, and transporters, respectively. However, formate dehydrogenase encoded by cj1500 showed decreased activity in the VBNC state. Taken together, C. jejuni actively changed its mRNA expression during induction of the VBNC state, and protein activities did not always match the mRNA expression levels.
Regularity of the Optimal Sets for a Class of Integral Shape Functionals
Authors: Buttazzo Giuseppe , Maiale Francesco Paolo , Mazzoleni Dario , Tortone Giorgio , Velichkov Bozhidar
Published: May 2024

We prove the first regularity theorem for the free boundary of solutions to shape optimization problems involving integral functionals, for which the energy of a domain $$\Omega $$
Ω
is obtained as the integral of a cost function j(u, x) depending on the solution u of a certain PDE problem on $$\Omega $$
Ω
. The main feature of these functionals is that the minimality of a domain $$\Omega $$
Ω
cannot be translated into a variational problem for a single (real or vector valued) state function. In this paper we focus on the case of affine cost functions $$j(u,x)=-g(x)u+Q(x)$$

j
(
u
,
x
)
=
-
g
(
x
)
u
+
Q
(
x
)

, where u is the solution of the PDE $$-\Delta u=f$$

-
Δ
u
=
f

with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We obtain the Lipschitz continuity and the non-degeneracy of the optimal u from the inwards/outwards optimality of $$\Omega $$
Ω
and then we use the stability of $$\Omega $$
Ω
with respect to variations with smooth vector fields in order to study the blow-up limits of the state function u. By performing a triple consecutive blow-up, we prove the existence of blow-up sequences converging to homogeneous stable solution of the one-phase Bernoulli problem and according to the blow-up limits, we decompose $$\partial \Omega $$

∂
Ω

into a singular and a regular part. In order to estimate the Hausdorff dimension of the singular set of $$\partial \Omega $$

∂
Ω

we give a new formulation of the notion of stability for the one-phase problem, which is preserved under blow-up limits and allows to develop a dimension reduction principle. Finally, by combining a higher order Boundary Harnack principle and a viscosity approach, we prove $$C^\infty $$

C
∞

regularity of the regular part of the free boundary when the data are smooth.
C8-ceramide modulates microglia BDNF expression to alleviate postoperative cognition dysfunction via PKCδ/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Li Guangqian , Wang Yuhao , Qian Lei , Li Danni , Yao Yuchen , Pan Jian , Fan Dan
Published: May 2024

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a kind of serious postoperative complication in surgery with general anesthesia and it may affect patients’ normal lives. Activated microglia are thought to be one of the key factors in the regulation of POCD process. Once activated, resident microglia change their phenotype and secrete kinds of cytokines to regulate inflammatory response in tissues. Among these secretory factors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered to be able to inhibit inflammation response and protect nervous system. Therefore, the enhancement of BDNF expression derived from resident microglia is suggested to be potential treatment for POCD. In our study, we focused on the role of C8-ceramide (a kind of interventional drug) and assessed its regulatory effect on improving the expression of BDNF secreted from microglia to treat POCD. According to the results of our study, we observed that C8-ceramide stimulated primary microglia to up-regulate the expression of BDNF mRNA after being treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. We proved that C8-ceramide had ability to effectively improve POCD of mice after being accepted carotid artery exposure and their abnormal behavior recovered better than that of mice from the surgery group. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that C8-ceramide enhanced the cognitive function of mice via the PKCδ/NF-κB signaling pathway. In general, our study has confirmed a potential molecular mechanism that led to the occurrence of POCD caused by surgery and provided a new clinical strategy to treat POCD.
Percolation transition for random forests in $d\geqslant 3$
Authors: Bauerschmidt Roland , Crawford Nicholas , Helmuth Tyler
Published: May 2024

The arboreal gas is the probability measure on (unrooted spanning) forests of a graph in which each forest is weighted by a factor $\beta >0$
β
>
0
per edge. It arises as the $q\to 0$
q
→
0
limit of the $q$
q
-state random cluster model with $p=\beta q$
p
=
β
q
. We prove that in dimensions $d\geqslant 3$
d
⩾
3
the arboreal gas undergoes a percolation phase transition. This contrasts with the case of $d=2$
d
=
2
where no percolation transition occurs.

The starting point for our analysis is an exact relationship between the arboreal gas and a non-linear sigma model with target space the fermionic hyperbolic plane $\mathbb{H}^{0|2}$

H

0
|
2

. This latter model can be thought of as the 0-state Potts model, with the arboreal gas being its random cluster representation. Unlike the standard Potts models, the $\mathbb{H}^{0|2}$

H

0
|
2

model has continuous symmetries. By combining a renormalisation group analysis with Ward identities we prove that this symmetry is spontaneously broken at low temperatures. In terms of the arboreal gas, this symmetry breaking translates into the existence of infinite trees in the thermodynamic limit. Our analysis also establishes massless free field correlations at low temperatures and the existence of a macroscopic tree on finite tori.
Exploration of three Dyadobacter fermentans enzymes uncovers molecular activity determinants in CE15
Authors: Carbonaro Miriam , Mazurkewich Scott , Fiorentino Gabriella , Lo Leggio Leila , Larsbrink Johan
Published: May 2024

Glucuronoyl esterases (GEs) are serine-type hydrolase enzymes belonging to carbohydrate esterase family 15 (CE15), and they play a central role in the reduction of recalcitrance in plant cell walls by cleaving ester linkages between glucuronoxylan and lignin in lignocellulose. Recent studies have suggested that bacterial CE15 enzymes are more heterogeneous in terms of sequence, structure, and substrate preferences than their fungal counterparts. However, the sequence space of bacterial GEs has still not been fully explored, and further studies on diverse enzymes could provide novel insights into new catalysts of biotechnological interest. To expand our knowledge on this family of enzymes, we investigated three unique CE15 members encoded by Dyadobacter fermentans NS114T, a Gram-negative bacterium found endophytically in maize/corn (Zea mays). The enzymes are dissimilar, sharing ≤ 39% sequence identity to each other‚ and were considerably different in their activities towards synthetic substrates. Combined analysis of their primary sequences and structural predictions aided in establishing hypotheses regarding specificity determinants within CE15, and these were tested using enzyme variants attempting to shift the activity profiles. Together, the results expand our existing knowledge of CE15, shed light into the molecular determinants defining specificity, and support the recent thesis that diverse GEs encoded by a single microorganism may have evolved to fulfil different physiological functions.

Key points

• D. fermentans encodes three CE15 enzymes with diverse sequences and specificities

• The Region 2 inserts in bacterial GEs may directly influence enzyme activity

• Rational amino acid substitutions improved the poor activity of the DfCE15A enzyme
Dynamically rational judgment aggregation
Authors: Dietrich Franz , List Christian
Published: May 2024

Judgment-aggregation theory has always focused on the attainment of rational collective judgments. But so far, rationality has been understood in static terms: as coherence of judgments at a given time, defined as consistency, completeness, and/or deductive closure. This paper asks whether collective judgments can be dynamically rational, so that they change rationally in response to new information. Formally, a judgment aggregation rule is dynamically rational with respect to a given revision operator if, whenever all individuals revise their judgments in light of some information (a learnt proposition), then the new aggregate judgments are the old ones revised in light of this information, i.e., aggregation and revision commute. We prove an impossibility theorem: if the propositions on the agenda are non-trivially connected, no judgment aggregation rule with standard properties is dynamically rational with respect to any revision operator satisfying some basic conditions. Our theorem is the dynamic-rationality counterpart of some well-known impossibility theorems for static rationality. We also explore how dynamic rationality might be achieved by relaxing some of the conditions on the aggregation rule and/or the revision operator. Notably, premise-based aggregation rules are dynamically rational with respect to so-called premise-based revision operators.
Body fat and circulating leptin levels in the captive short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Authors: Dutton-Regester Kate J. , Roser Alice , Meer Haley , Hill Andrew , Pyne Michael , Al-Najjar Aiman , Whaites Tim , Fenelon Jane C. , Buchanan Katherine L. , Keeley Tamara , Renfree Marilyn B. , Johnston Stephen D.
Published: May 2024

It is possible that the reproductive strategy of the short-beaked echidna is related to seasonal changes in fat deposition and energy availability, regulated by seasonal changes in endocrine function. We predicted that circulating leptin levels would be directly proportional to adiposity during most of the year, but that a change in this relationship would occur during the pre-breeding season to allow increased fat deposition. To test this hypothesis, we made use of a captive colony of echidnas to describe and quantify changes in fat distribution and the adipostatic hormone leptin. First we assessed seasonal changes in circulating leptin levels, body mass and adiposity for three male and three female adult echidnas maintained on a standard diet. Second, we explored the relationship between circulating leptin levels and increased caloric intake for an additional five adult female echidnas that were provided with supplemented nutrition. Third we visualised fat distribution in male and female adult echidnas using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after the breeding season, to determine where fat is deposited in this species. For echidnas maintained on the standard diet, there were no seasonal changes in body mass, body fat or plasma leptin levels. However, female echidnas provided with supplemented nutrition had significantly elevated plasma leptin levels during the breeding season, compared to the pre-and post- breeding periods. MRI showed substantial subcutaneous fat depots extending dorso-laterally from the base of the skull to the base of the tail, in both sexes. Pre-breeding season, both sexes had considerable fat deposition in the pelvic/rump region, whilst the female echidna accumulated most fat in the abdominal region. This study shows that male and female echidnas accumulate body fat in the pelvic/rump and the abdominal regions, respectively and that circulating leptin may promote fattening in female echidnas during the breeding season by means of leptin resistance. However, further research is required to evaluate the precise relationship between seasonal changes in leptin and adiposity.
Toward coupling across inorganic/organic hybrid interfaces: polyaniline-coated gold nanoparticles with 4-aminothiophenol as gold-anchoring moieties
Authors: Yi Gyusang , Hoffmann Marisa , Seçkin Sezer , König Tobias A. F. , Hermes Ilka , Rossner Christian , Fery Andreas
Published: May 2024

The chemical binding between metal nanoparticles and (semi-)conductive polymer layers is essential to control the (opto-)electronic properties of such hybrid materials. Current approaches that achieve a conjugated binding of organic (semi-)conductive ligands to metal nanoparticles demonstrated promising functional properties, but are based on tedious multi-step organic synthesis to incorporate the required binding moieties at the chain ends of targeted macromolecular species. Herein, we explore the pre-functionalization of gold nanoparticles with p-aminothiophenol and subsequent surfactant-assisted formation of a poly(aniline) (PANI) shell as a means to access gold/PANI core–shell-type nanoparticles with enhanced conductive properties. Controlled surface deposition of these hybrid nanoparticles is achieved via template-assisted self-assembly. For these surface-deposited nanoparticles, charge transport properties are characterized at the nanoscale by conductive atomic force microscopy measurements and show a significant conductivity increase of our core–shell particles as compared to reference particles formed by conventional surfactant-assisted PANI-shell formation.

Graphical Abstract
Correlation of High-Grade Osteosarcoma Response to Chemotherapy with Enhanced Tissue Immunological Response: Analysis of CD95R, IFN-γ, Catalase, Hsp70, and VEGF
Authors: Mustokoweni Sjahjenny , Mahyudin Ferdiansyah , Setiawati Rosy , Nugrahenny Dian , Hidayat Mohamad , Kalim Handono , Mintaroem Karyono , Fitri Loeki Enggar , Hogendoorn Pancras C. W.
Published: May 2024

High-grade osteosarcoma, a primary malignant bone tumour, is experiencing a global increase in reported incidence with varied prevalence. Despite advances in management, which include surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy often an unsatisfactory outcome is found due to poor or heterogeneous response to chemotherapy. Our study delved into chemotherapy responses in osteosarcoma patients and associated molecular expressions, focusing on CD95 receptor (CD95R), interferon (IFN)-γ, catalase, heat-shock protein (Hsp)70, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Employing immunohistochemistry and Huvos grading of post-chemo specimens, we analysed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) osteosarcoma tissue of resected post-chemotherapy specimens from Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia (DSGAH), spanning from 2016 to 2020. Results revealed varied responses (poor 40.38%, moderate 48.08%, good 11.54%) and distinct patterns in CD95R, IFN-γ, catalase, Hsp70, and VEGF expression. Significant differences among response groups were observed in CD95R and IFN-γ expression in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. The trend of diminishing CD95R expression from poor to good responses, accompanied by an increase in IFN-γ, implied a reduction in the count of viable osteosarcoma cells with the progression of Huvos grading. Catalase expression in osteosarcoma cells was consistently elevated in the poor response group, while Hsp70 expression was highest. VEGF expression in macrophages was significantly higher in the good response group. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of immune-chemotherapy interactions in osteosarcoma and identifies potential biomarkers for targeted interventions.
Evaluating the efficacy of laparoscopic radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy in selected early-stage left-sided pancreatic cancer: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Li Zheng , Xu Wenyan , Wang Ting , Li Borui , Chen Chen , Shi Yihua , Zhou Chenjie , Zhuo Qifeng , Ji Shunrong , Liu Wensheng , Yu Xianjun , Xu Xiaowu
Published: May 2024

Background

Laparoscopic radical pancreatectomy is safe and beneficial for recectable pancreatic cancer, but the extent of resection for early-stage tumors remains controversial.

Methods

Consecutive patients with left-sided pancreatic cancer who underwent either laparoscopic radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (LRAMPS, n = 54) or laparoscopic distal pancreatosplecnectomy (LDP, n = 131) between October 2020 and December 2022 were reviewed. The preoperative radiological selection criteria were as follows: (1) tumor diameter ≤ 4 cm; (2) located ≥ 1 cm from the celiac trunk; (3) didn’t invade the fascial layer behind the pancreas.

Results

After 1:1 propensity score matching (LRAMPS, n = 54; LDP, n = 54), baseline data were well-balanced with no differences. LRAMPS resulted in longer operation time (240.5 vs. 219.0 min, P = 0.020) and higher intraoperative bleeding volume (200 vs. 150 mL, P = 0.001) compared to LDP. Although LRAMPS harvested more lymph nodes (16 vs. 13, P = 0.008), there were no statistically significant differences in lymph node positivity rate (35.2% vs. 33.3%), R0 pancreatic transection margin (94.4% vs. 96.3%), and retroperitoneal margin (83.3% vs. 87.0%) rate. Postoperative complications did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, LRAMPS was associated with increased drainage volume (85.0 vs. 40.0 mL, P = 0.001), longer time to recover semi-liquid diet compared to LDP (5 vs. 4 days, P < 0.001) and increased daily bowel movement frequency. Tumor recurrence pattern and recurrence-free survival were comparable between the two groups, but the adjuvant chemotherapy regimens varied, and the completion rate of the 6-month intravenous chemotherapy was lower in the LRAMPS group compared to the LDP group (51.9% vs. 75.9%, P = 0.016).

Conclusions

LRAMPS did not provide oncological benefits over LDP for left-sided pancreatic cancer within the selection criteria, but it increased operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative bowel movement frequency. These factors impacted the regimen selection and completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, consequently compromising the potential benefits of LRAMPS in achieving better local control.

Graphical Abstract
Distance to thrombus, ischemic lesion volume and clinical outcome after thrombectomy for M1 middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Millesi Katharina , Killer-Oberpfalzer Monika , Pfaff Johannes A. R. , Mutzenbach J. Sebastian , Griessenauer Christoph J. , Sonnberger Michael , Vosko Milan , Wagner Judith , Millesi Matthias , Pikija Slaven , Hecker Constantin
Published: May 2024

Background

Stroke resulting from occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) can have devastating consequences, potentially leading to a loss of independence. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the distance to the thrombus (DT) and both ischemic lesion volume (ILV) and clinical outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated patients with thromboembolic MCA M1 segment occlusion who underwent neurovascular imaging followed by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) at two comprehensive stroke centers over a 3-year period (2018–2020). Preinterventional computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography was used to measure DT, defined as the distance from the carotid‑T bifurcation to the proximal surface of the M1 occlusion. Postinterventional CT or MR imaging was employed to determine the ILV and clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months.

Results

There were 346 patients evaluated. The median DT was 9.4 mm (interquartile range, IQR 6.0–13.7 mm) and the median ILV was 13.9 ml (IQR 2.2–53.1 ml). After adjustment, an increase in DT was associated with a decrease in odds for a larger ILV (odds ratio, OR 0.96, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.92–0.99, p = 0.041). Through this association, more distal thrombi were associated with good clinical outcome (mRS 0–2; clinical outcome available in 282 patients, p = 0.018). The ILV was inversely associated with better clinical outcome OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.40–0.67).

Conclusion

Based on the findings, DT was identified as an independent albeit weak predictor for ILV and clinical outcomes in patients with MCA M1 occlusion who underwent EVT.
Nature’s contribution to people provided by pastoral systems across European, African, and Middle East Mediterranean countries: trends, approaches and gaps
Authors: Dean Graeme , Francioni Matteo , Toderi Marco , López-i-Gelats Feliu , Trozzo Laura , Rivera-Ferre Marta G. , Franca Antonello , Altana Giovanni M. , Karatassiou Maria , Parissi Zoi M. , Abraham Eleni M. , Ragkos Athanasios , Tolunay Ahmet , Türkoğlu Türkay , Tarhouni Mohamed , Tlili Abderrazak , Abbas Khaled , Nori Michele , Varela Elsa , Lecegui Antonio , Kyriazopoulos Apostolos P. , D’Ottavio Paride
Published: May 2024

Mediterranean pastoral systems are providers of a wide array of Nature’s Contribution to People (NCP). They are ‘complex systems’ characterized by limited resources and socio-economic dynamics currently threatened by climate and social changes. Despite a growing number of scientific articles dealing with NCP, there is a high risk that the existing literature has left out the complexity of such systems. In the light of ongoing social, economic, and climatic changes in the Mediterranean basin, neglecting the complexity of pastoral systems can lead to significant research biases, missing the priorities affecting the stability and continuity of such systems. A combination of frameworks of analysis provided by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services was applied to understand if and to what extent the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems has been considered in the available literature. Most of the 126 papers report studies conducted in the European Union zone (102 papers), with the majority in Spain (50). Fewer studies have been conducted in the Middle East (15 papers) and Africa zones (9 papers). Despite results confirming the importance of pastoral systems as providers of NCP, most of the eligible papers focused on regulating NCP. A lack of a multisectoral approach and integration of knowledge suggests that the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems has been overlooked by researchers. The creation of ‘hybrid knowledge’ bridging the expertise of different stakeholders could be the key ingredient to properly address the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems.
An adaptive certified space-time reduced basis method for nonsmooth parabolic partial differential equations
Authors: Bernreuther Marco , Volkwein Stefan
Published: May 2024

In this paper, a nonsmooth semilinear parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) is considered. For a reduced basis (RB) approach, a space-time formulation is used to develop a certified a-posteriori error estimator. This error estimator is adopted to the presence of the discrete empirical interpolation method (DEIM) as approximation technique for the nonsmoothness. The separability of the estimated error into an RB and a DEIM part then guides the development of an adaptive RB-DEIM algorithm, combining both offline phases into one. Numerical experiments show the capabilities of this novel approach in comparison with classical RB and RB-DEIM approaches.
A comprehensive survey of convergence analysis of beetle antennae search algorithm and its applications
Authors: Chen Changzu , Cao Li , Chen Yaodan , Chen Binhe , Yue Yinggao
Published: May 2024

In recent years, swarm intelligence optimization algorithms have been proven to have significant effects in solving combinatorial optimization problems. Introducing the concept of evolutionary computing, which is currently a hot research topic, into swarm intelligence optimization algorithms to form novel swarm intelligence optimization algorithms has proposed a new research direction for better solving combinatorial optimization problems. The longhorn beetle whisker search algorithm is an emerging heuristic algorithm, which originates from the simulation of longhorn beetle foraging behavior. This algorithm simulates the touch strategy required by longhorn beetles during foraging, and achieves efficient search in complex problem spaces through bioheuristic methods. This article reviews the research progress on the search algorithm for longhorn beetles from 2017 to present. Firstly, the basic principle and model structure of the beetle whisker search algorithm were introduced, and its differences and connections with other heuristic algorithms were analyzed. Secondly, this paper summarizes the research achievements of scholars in recent years on the improvement of longhorn whisker search algorithms. Then, the application of the beetle whisker search algorithm in various fields was explored, including function optimization, engineering design, and path planning. Finally, this paper summarizes the research achievements of scholars in recent years on the improvement of the longhorn whisker search algorithm, and proposes future research directions, including algorithm deep learning fusion, processing of multimodal problems, etc. Through this review, readers will have a comprehensive understanding of the research status and prospects of the longhorn whisker search algorithm, providing useful guidance for its application in practical problems.
Seismic performance assessment of an existing anchored and a self-anchored liquid storage tank in high seismic regions
Authors: Erkmen Bulent
Published: May 2024

This study presents seismic performance of two existing at-grade industrial liquid-storage tanks located in the Eastern part of Marmara region, which is a high seismic region in Turkey. The first tank is self-anchored (unanchored) and has been in service for 44 years, while the other tank is mechanically anchored to a reinforced concrete foundation and has been in service for 50 years. Tanks seismic performance is evaluated using tank time-history earthquake analyses with recorded ground motions scaled for each tank site. The liquid content was included in the developed model using provisions of API 650. Tanks base uplift, sliding on the foundation, tank shell and bottom plate damage, and demand on tank anchorage were determined. The results shows that self-anchored tank has base plate uplift and sliding that are larger than the allowable limits while the mechanically anchored tank has acceptable seismic performance with potential seismic damage of tank anchorage system. The findings of this study contribute valuable insight into the seismic performance of existing liquid storage tanks in the region under new seismic regulations and increased seismic loads than those used for their design.