bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Innovative Non-destructive Technology for Controlling the Storage Period of Chicken Eggs Using Egg Parameters
Authors: Narushin Valeriy G. , Romanov Michael N. , Salamon Attila , Kent John P.
Published: December 2023

We proposed here a non-destructive technology for pre-sorting eggs into subclasses characterized by a specifical acceptable shelf life and quality requirements. Egg characteristics were identified suiting a predictive model for controlling storage periods. Accordingly, the relationships of egg parameters were assessed, with weight loss (ΔW) during storage being the best indicator of changes in egg contents variables. Using changes in ΔW, we established three indicators with the maximum effect on fast egg drying and shrinkage. These included egg weight (W), egg volume-to-surface area ratio, and air cell diameter. The relationship formulae were derived to estimate the ΔW value accurately. This approach enables to judge regarding the potential of each particular egg subclass for its acceptable weight shrinkage and assign an optimal storage period for it. The proposed non-invasive analytical method can be implemented in industrial conditions for both table and hatching eggs with the available set of automated technological equipment.
Using Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter for Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review
Authors: Martínez-Palacios Karol , Vásquez-García Sebastián , Fariyike Olubunmi A. , Robba Chiara , Rubiano Andrés M. ,   the noninvasive ICP monitoring international consensus group, Taccone Fabio Silvio , Rasulo Frank , Badenes R Rafael , Menon David , Sarwal A Aarti , Cardim D Danilo , Czosnyka Marek , Hirzallah Mohammad , Geeraerts Thomas , Bouzat Pierre , Lochner Pier G. , Aries Marcel , Wong Yu Lin , Abulhassan Yasser , Sung Gene , Prabhakar Hemanshu , Shrestha Gentle , Bustamante Luis , Jibaja Manuel , Pinedo Juan , Sanchez Diana , Mendez Julio Mijangos , Vásquez Franly , Shukla Dhaval P. , Worku Getaw , Tirsit Abenezer , Indiradevi Bhagavatula , Shabani Hamisi , Adeleye Amos , Munusamy Thangaraj , Ain Amelia , Paiva Wellingson , Godoy Daniel , Brasil Sérgio , Robba Chiara , Rubiano Andrés , Vásquez-García Sebastián
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Neuromonitoring represents a cornerstone in the comprehensive management of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), allowing for early detection of complications such as increased intracranial pressure (ICP) [1]. This has led to a search for noninvasive modalities that are reliable and deployable at bedside. Among these, ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement is a strong contender, estimating ICP by quantifying the distension of the optic nerve at higher ICP values. Thus, this scoping review seeks to describe the existing evidence for the use of ONSD in estimating ICP in adult TBI patients as compared to gold-standard invasive methods.

Materials and Methods

This review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews, with a main search of PubMed and EMBASE. The search was limited to studies of adult patients with TBI published in any language between 2012 and 2022. Sixteen studies were included for analysis, with all studies conducted in high-income countries.

Results

All of the studies reviewed measured ONSD using the same probe frequency. In most studies, the marker position for ONSD measurement was initially 3 mm behind the globe, retina, or papilla. A few studies utilized additional parameters such as the ONSD/ETD (eyeball transverse diameter) ratio or ODE (optic disc elevation), which also exhibit high sensitivity and reliability.

Conclusion

Overall, ONSD exhibits great test accuracy and has a strong, almost linear correlation with invasive methods. Thus, ONSD should be considered one of the most effective noninvasive techniques for ICP estimation in TBI patients.
The effect of library preparation protocol on the efficiency of heteroplasmy detection in mitochondrial DNA using two massively parallel sequencing Illumina systems
Authors: Daca-Roszak Patrycja , Fiedorowicz Joanna , Jankowski Maciej , Ciesielka Marzanna , Teresiński Grzegorz , Lipska-Zietkiewicz Beata , Zietkiewicz Ewa , Grzybowski Tomasz , Skonieczna Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology has become the gold standard in mitochondrial DNA research due to its high sensitivity in detecting mtDNA heteroplasmy, a prognostic marker in various medical applications. Various MPS technologies and platforms used for mtDNA analysis exist. Obtaining reliable and sensitive results requires deep and uniform coverage of the entire mtDNA sequence, which is heavily influenced by the choice of library preparation method and sequencing platform. Here, we present a comparison of the sequencing coverage and the ability to heteroplasmy detection using two library preparation protocols (Nextera XT DNA Library Preparation Kit and Nextera DNA Flex Library Preparation Kit) and two different (MiSeq FGx and ISeq 100) Illumina MPS platforms. Our study indicates that the Nextera DNA Flex Library protocol provides a more balanced coverage along the mitogenome and a reliable heteroplasmy detection with both MiSeq and iSeq Illumina MPS systems.
Recent Advances and Future Perspectives in Mitigating Invasive Antifungal-Resistant Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus in Africa
Authors: Achilonu Conrad Chibunna , Davies Adeyinka , Kanu Okezie O. , Noel Colin B. , Oladele Rita
Published: December 2023

Purpose of Review

Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is an emerging public health issue with global distribution and has been linked to use in agricultural and horticultural settings. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) created a fungal pathogen priority list, and A. fumigatus was listed as a critical pathogen. Currently, Africa lacks effective surveillance systems for this emerging threat, mostly due to lack of capacity and diagnostics to determine azole resistance in routine clinical settings. This review aims to address and improve on the current diagnostic tools and future perspective strategies in tackling clinical and environmental antifungal-resistant (AFR) A. fumigatus in Africa. We emphasized on the importance of early diagnosis and misdiagnosis associated with aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus sp., cross talk between clinical and environmental, mode of action and resistance mechanism, collaborative one health approach, and future perspectives for AFR A. fumigatus management strategies.

Recent Findings

Early diagnosis and effective management of invasive aspergillosis are critical. On the continent, very few laboratories routinely conduct antifungal susceptibility testing on Aspergillus species. Where this occurs, it is culture-based in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing. Drug repurposing and the need for a non-culture-based molecular method (PCR) are critical.

Enhancing promising future perspectives of non-cultured approaches such as whole-genome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas9, and RNAi-mediated technologies to complement the culture-based approach as important strategies to mitigate and overcome emerging issues of AFR A. fumigatus in Africa.
4D printing of shape memory polymer with continuous carbon fiber
Authors: Kumar S. Siddharth , Akmal Jan S. , Salmi Mika
Published: December 2023

Shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) have gained attention for their shape memory effects and wide-ranging applications. Understanding the bending shape recovery characteristics of 3D printed SMPCs is crucial for optimizing their performance. This study focuses on investigating the influence of different fiber orientations of continuous carbon fiber (CCF) in thermally stimulated SMPC. By controlling printing parameters and fiber orientation during the 3D printing process, we fabricate tailor-made rectangular composite test specimens. These specimens are subjected to controlled bending above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, inducing temporary deformation. The subsequent shape recovery process is carefully captured through high-speed video. Precise measurements of the bending curvature over time are obtained using the row-by-row image processing technique and analyzed. The shape recovery rate, shape recovery ratio, and shape fixity ratio of the test specimens were evaluated as a function of three CCF layout arrangements as well as fiber infill density embedded in Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) test specimens. The results revealed that the addition of CCF in the polymer matrix has a significant impact on shape memory behavior. Vertically aligned CCF in the SMP matrix improves the shape recovery ratio (92.97% compared to 78.77% of the pure SMP sample), while horizontal alignment of CCF ensures maximum shape fixity ratio (91.78% compared to 66.22% of the pure SMP sample). The cross-aligned CCF sample provides good recovery as well as fixity values. Further, it was observed that the horizontal alignment of CCF yields the fastest recovery performance. The outcome confirms that optimizing the fiber orientation enhances shape memory performance. Also, 40% of fiber infill density had greater shape fixity and overall recovery performance when compared to 30% and 50%. These findings have implications for tailored and high-performance SMPCs in biomedical devices, aerospace components, and robotics. Understanding temporal curvature behavior enables optimizing the design of materials with precise control over shape recovery. This research contributes to the design and optimization of SMPCs for diverse applications.
AIoT-CitySense: AI and IoT-Driven City-Scale Sensing for Roadside Infrastructure Maintenance
Authors: Forkan Abdur Rahim Mohammad , Kang Yong-Bin , Marti Felip , Banerjee Abhik , McCarthy Chris , Ghaderi Hadi , Costa Breno , Dawod Anas , Georgakopolous Dimitrios , Jayaraman Prem Prakash
Published: December 2023

The transformation of cities into smarter and more efficient environments relies on proactive and timely detection and maintenance of city-wide infrastructure, including roadside infrastructure such as road signs and the cleaning of illegally dumped rubbish. Currently, these maintenance tasks rely predominantly on citizen reports or on-site checks by council staff. However, this approach has been shown to be time-consuming and highly costly, resulting in significant delays that negatively impact communities. This paper presents AIoT-CitySense, an AI and IoT-driven city-scale sensing framework, developed and piloted in collaboration with a local government in Australia. AIoT-CitySense has been designed to address the unique requirements of roadside infrastructure maintenance within the local government municipality. A tailored solution of AIoT-CitySense has been deployed on existing waste service trucks that cover a road network of approximately 100 kms in the municipality. Our analysis shows that proactive detection for roadside infrastructure maintenance using our solution reached an impressive 85%, surpassing the timeframes associated with manual reporting processes. AIoT-CitySense can potentially transform various domains, such as efficient detection of potholes and precise line marking for pedestrians. This paper exemplifies the power of leveraging city-wide data using AI and IoT technologies to drive tangible changes and improve the quality of city life.
Assessment of Disparity in Accessing Railway Stations in Thailand: an Application Geographic Information System Network Analysis
Authors: Theerathitichaipa Kestsirin , Wisutwattanasak Panuwat , Se Chamroeun , Seefong Manlika , Jomnonkwao Sajjakaj , Champahom Thanapong , Ratanavaraha Vatanavongs , Kasemsri Rattanaporn
Published: December 2023

Ensuring that people from all regions in a country can easily access railway stations is a crucial objective in the development of transportation and mobility systems and is essential for the convenient travel within the country. Furthermore, accurately assessing accessibility in disadvantaged areas is pivotal in designing and implementing development policies for equitable and sustainable transportation systems. Although various methods and tools are available for measuring accessibility, interpreting local-level data remains challenging. This study was conducted in Thailand, a country with severe accessibility disparities but undergoing considerable development. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate accessibility disparities to analyze accessibility capabilities and inequality of railway stations. The objective of the study was to aid the development of inequality and railway services to cover all areas. The geographic information system methodology with network analysis tools was used to visualize and analyze spatial accessibility data and identify regional disparities. The results of this study indicate inequality in accessing railway services, which revealed that densely populated areas have superior access to railway stations compared with districts with a lower population density. Additionally, over 41% of the study area’s population resides more than half an hour away from access to a railway station. This study highlights regional inequality in accessing railway station services. Furthermore, strategies to alleviate this inequality are presented, and the findings will aid government agencies and railway planners in designing critical strategies or formulating policies for improving accessibility to rail transportation systems and reducing inequality in accessing railway services.
Paratext Printed with New English Plays, 1660–1700
Authors: Hume Robert D.
Published: December 2023

This Element Paratext printed with new English plays has a lot to tell us about what playwrights were attempting to do and how audiences responded, thereby contributing substantially to our understanding of larger patterns of generic evolution across two centuries. The presence (or absence) of twelve elements needs to be systematically surveyed. (1) Attribution of authorship; (2) generic designation; (3) performance auspices; (4) government license authorizing publication; (5) dedication; (6) prefaces of various sorts; (7a-b-c) list of characters (three types); (8) actors' names (sometimes with descriptive characterizations-very helpful for deducing intended authorial interpretation); (9) location of action; (10) prologue and epilogue for first production. Surveying these results, we can see that much of the generic evolution traceable in the later seventeenth century gets undone during the eighteenth-a reversal largely attributable to the Licensing Act of 1737. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
A cluster investigation of Candida auris among hospitalized incarcerated patients
Authors: McDougal April N. , DeMaet Mary Ann , Garcia Bobbiejean , York Teresa , Iverson Thomas , Ojo Olugbenga , Patel Janak
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Investigate and mitigate a cluster of Candida auris cases among incarcerated patients in a maximum-security prison hospital utilizing contact tracing, screening, whole genome sequencing, and environmental sampling and decontamination.

Design:

Outbreak investigation.

Setting:

Inpatient prison hospital affiliated with an academic tertiary referral center.

Patients:

Inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Methods:

Epidemiologic and environmental investigations were conducted including contact tracing, point prevalence surveys, and environmental sampling. Whole genome sequencing was performed on positive patient isolates.

Results:

Following a clinical case of C. auris fungemia, 344 patients underwent C. auris surveillance screening. Eight (2.3%) patients were identified with C. auris colonization. All patients were male. Our index patient was the only clinical case and death. Whole genome sequencing was performed on the nine patient isolates. All isolates were clade III (Africa) and clustered together with the largest SNP difference being 21. Environmental cultures from 7 of 61 rooms (11.5%) were positive following terminal disinfection with bleach. Sites nearest to the patient were most often positive including the hospital bed rails and bedside table. The transmission cluster was successfully mitigated within 60 days of identification.

Conclusions:

Implementation of an aggressive surveillance and decontamination program resulted in mitigation of a C. auris transmission cluster among our incarcerated patients. This investigation provides valuable insight into C. auris transmission in the incarcerated population, which is not considered a classic high-risk population as well as the challenges faced to stop transmission in a facility that requires the use of shared patient environments.
Building Castles in the Air? The EU Blocking Regulation and the Protection of the Interests of Private Parties
Authors: Szabados Tamás
Published: December 2023

The EU Blocking Regulation intends to exclude the effects of extraterritorial legislation by third countries and, in particular, those of US economic sanctions, to protect the interests of economic actors in the EU. The goals of the Regulation—effective enforcement of EU law and the protection of the interests of EU economic actors—give rise to an enforcement paradox: a lack of enforcement by the Commission and the state authorities. The Bank Melli case not only demonstrates a shift in the enforcement of the Blocking Regulation to private parties but also sheds light anew on the doubts about its ability to protect private interests.
Looking differently at locative events: the cognitive impact of linguistic preferences
Authors: Lesuisse Mégane , Lemmens Maarten
Published: December 2023

While the Talmian dichotomy between satellite-framed and verb-framed languages has been amply studied for motion events, it has been less discussed for locative events, even if Talmy considers these to be included in motion events. This paper discusses such locative events, starting from the significant cross-linguistic variation among Dutch, French, and English. Dutch habitually encodes location via cardinal posture verbs (CPVs; ‘SIT’, ‘LIE’, ‘STAND’) expressing the orientation of the Figure, French prefers orientation-neutral existence verbs like être ‘be’ and English – unlike for motion events – straddles the middle with a marked preference for be but the possibility to occasionally rely on CPVs. Through the analysis of recognition performances and gazing behaviours in a non-verbal recognition task, this study confirms a (subtle) cognitive impact of different linguistic preferences on the mental representation of locative events. More specifically, they confirm the continuum suggested by Lemmens (2005, Parcours linguistiques. Domaine anglais (pp. 223–244). Publications de l’Université St Etienne.) for the domain of location with French on the one extreme and Dutch on the other with English in-between, behaving like French in some contexts but like Dutch in others.
Longitudinal associations between early risk and adolescent delinquency: Mediators, moderators, and main effects
Authors: Fagan Jay , Cabrera Natasha , Kobulsky Julia
Published: December 2023

Although multiple domains of risk are theorized to predict adolescent delinquency, father-specific risk in the context of other risks is under-researched. Using the low-income Future of Families and Child Wellbeing cohort (48% Black, 27% Hispanic, 21% White, 51% boy, N = 4,255), the current study addressed three research questions. (1) are father-, mother-, child-, and family-level cumulative risk during early childhood associated with adolescent delinquent behavior?, (2) does child self-control in middle childhood mediate the associations between fathers’ and mothers’ cumulative risk and adolescent delinquent behavior, and do quality of parent’s relationships with children and parental monitoring in middle childhood mediate the association between child cumulative risk and delinquent behavior?, (3) do parenting, quality of parent-child relationships in middle childhood, and child sex at birth moderate the associations among fathers’, mothers’, children’s, and family risk and adolescent delinquent behavior? Results indicated father, child, and mother risk at ages 3–5 were significantly and positively associated with youth-reported delinquent behavior. Higher levels of family risk were associated with less delinquency when 9-year-olds felt closer to fathers than when they felt less close. Children’s self-control at age 9 mediated the associations between father and child risk and delinquent behavior.
Exploring the Utility of the Rorschach Test in Predicting Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Colombarolli Maíra Stivaleti , Giromini Luciano , Pasian Sonia Regina
Published: December 2023

Abstract: Bariatric surgery (BS) is an effective approach to treat severe obesity, which should include multidisciplinary care. Prior to surgery, candidates for BS usually undergo a psychological assessment based mostly on self-report of clinical symptoms. However, the results of this assessment are not always sufficient to predict outcomes. Therefore, this study examined the potential of a multimethod approach to assessing patients seeking BS using both self-report and performance-based measures of cognitive and affective functioning. A sample of 50 women who had applied for surgery at a public facility in Brazil were assessed with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS), and the Trail Making Test (TMT). Patients who dropped out before treatment ( n = 27) had higher initial body mass index and poorer performance on cognitive flexibility at baseline. In the remaining 23 patients who underwent surgery, indicators of emotional and cognitive functioning from all measures were associated with weight loss (WL) at 6 and 12 months after surgery. However, only R-PAS variables regarding psychological resources were associated with WL 18 months after surgery. We discuss the usefulness of the Rorschach as a source of information for patients seeking BS and the implications for current assessment practices in the field.
A Laboratory Model for Iron Snow in Planetary Cores
Authors: Huguet Ludovic , Le Bars Michael , Deguen Renaud
Published: December 2023

Solidification of the cores of small planets and moons is thought to occur in the “iron snow” regime, in which iron crystals form near the core‐mantle boundary and fall until re‐melting at greater depth. The resulting buoyancy flux may sustain convection and dynamo action. This regime of crystallization is poorly understood. Here we present the first laboratory experiments designed to model iron snow. We find that solidification happens in a cyclic pattern, with intense solidification bursts separated by crystal‐free periods. This is explained by the necessity of reaching a finite amount of supercooling to re‐initiate crystallization once the crystals formed earlier have migrated away. When scaled to planetary cores, our results suggest that crystallization and the associated buoyancy flux would be strongly heterogeneous in time and space, which eventually impacts the time variability and geometry of the magnetic field.
Aspect Matters: Unraveling Microclimate Impacts on Mountain Greenness and Greening
Authors: Yin Gaofei , Xie Jiangliu , Ma Dujuan , Xie Qiaoyun , Verger Aleixandre , Descals Adrià , Filella Iolanda , Peñuelas Josep
Published: December 2023

Mountains are vital ecosystems, yet predicting plant growth there is complex due to diverse microclimates on slopes. Equatorial‐facing slopes (EFSs) are drier and warmer, and polar‐facing slopes (PFSs) are wetter and colder, than their regional macroclimates. Analyzing Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index from 2003 to 2021, we identified a clear geographic pattern of differences in greenness on the two opposite aspects: EFSs were greener than PFSs in cold areas and were browner in dry areas, mainly determined by the relative importance of limitations of temperature and water. PFSs had stronger greening trends than did EPSs, leading to a weakening difference in greenness between EPSs and PFSs in temperature‐limited areas, and an intensifying difference in water‐limited areas. This suggests the alleviation of temperature limitation and exacerbation of water limitation. Montane ecosystems constitute a “natural laboratory” for deepening our understanding of the temporal evolution of the climatic control of vegetation growth with a space‐for‐time substitution.
Improved Observations of Deep Earthquake Ruptures Using Machine Learning
Authors: Shi Qibin , Denolle Marine A.
Published: December 2023

Elevated seismic noise for moderate‐size earthquakes recorded at teleseismic distances has limited our ability to see their complexity. We develop a machine‐learning‐based algorithm to separate noise and earthquake signals that overlap in frequency. The multi‐task encoder‐decoder model is built around a kernel pre‐trained on local (e.g., short distances) earthquake data (Yin et al., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggac290) and is modified by continued learning with high‐quality teleseismic data. We denoise teleseismic P waves of deep Mw5.0+ earthquakes and use the clean P waves to estimate source characteristics with reduced uncertainties of these understudied earthquakes. We find a scaling of moment and duration to be M0 ≃ τ4, and a resulting strong scaling of stress drop and radiated energy with magnitude ( and ). The median radiation efficiency is 5%, a low value compared to crustal earthquakes. Overall, we show that deep earthquakes have weak rupture directivity and few subevents, suggesting a simple model of a circular crack with radial rupture propagation is appropriate. When accounting for their respective scaling with earthquake size, we find no systematic depth variations of duration, stress drop, or radiated energy within the 100–700 km depth range. Our study supports the findings of Poli and Prieto (2016, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jb013521) with a doubled amount of earthquakes investigated and with earthquakes of lower magnitudes.
Solar cycle as a distinct line of evidence constraining Earth’s transient climate response
Authors: Li King-Fai , Tung Ka-Kit
Published: December 2023

Severity of warming predicted by climate models depends on their Transient Climate Response (TCR). Inter-model spread of TCR has persisted at ~ 100% of its mean for decades. Existing observational constraints of TCR are based on observed historical warming response to historical forcing and their uncertainty spread is just as wide, mainly due to forcing uncertainty, and especially that of aerosols. Contrary, no aerosols are involved in solar-cycle forcing, providing an independent, tighter, constraint. Here, we define a climate sensitivity metric: time-dependent response regressed against time-dependent forcing, allowing phenomena with dissimilar time variations, such as the solar cycle with 11-year cyclic forcing, to be used to constrain TCR, which has a linear time-dependent forcing. We find a theoretical linear relationship between the two. The latest coupled atmosphere-ocean climate models obey the same linear relationship statistically. The proposed observational constraint on TCR is about $${{1}}/{{3}}$$
1
/
3
as narrow as existing constraints. The central estimate, 2.2 oC, is at the midpoint of the spread of the latest generation of climate models, which are more sensitive than those of the previous generations.
Direct-to-biology, automated, nano-scale synthesis, and phenotypic screening-enabled E3 ligase modulator discovery
Authors: Wang Zefeng , Shaabani Shabnam , Gao Xiang , Ng Yuen Lam Dora , Sapozhnikova Valeriia , Mertins Philipp , Krönke Jan , Dömling Alexander
Published: December 2023

Thalidomide and its analogs are molecular glues (MGs) that lead to targeted ubiquitination and degradation of key cancer proteins via the cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase. Here, we develop a direct-to-biology (D2B) approach for accelerated discovery of MGs. In this platform, automated, high throughput, and nano scale synthesis of hundreds of pomalidomide-based MGs was combined with rapid phenotypic screening, enabling an unprecedented fast identification of potent CRBN-acting MGs. The small molecules were further validated by degradation profiling and anti-cancer activity. This revealed E14 as a potent MG degrader targeting IKZF1/3, GSPT1 and 2 with profound effects on a panel of cancer cells. In a more generalized view, integration of automated, nanoscale synthesis with phenotypic assays has the potential to accelerate MGs discovery.
Ultra-narrow inhomogeneous spectral distribution of telecom-wavelength vanadium centres in isotopically-enriched silicon carbide
Authors: Cilibrizzi Pasquale , Arshad Muhammad Junaid , Tissot Benedikt , Son Nguyen Tien , Ivanov Ivan G. , Astner Thomas , Koller Philipp , Ghezellou Misagh , Ul-Hassan Jawad , White Daniel , Bekker Christiaan , Burkard Guido , Trupke Michael , Bonato Cristian
Published: December 2023

Spin-active quantum emitters have emerged as a leading platform for quantum technologies. However, one of their major limitations is the large spread in optical emission frequencies, which typically extends over tens of GHz. Here, we investigate single V4+ vanadium centres in 4H-SiC, which feature telecom-wavelength emission and a coherent S = 1/2 spin state. We perform spectroscopy on single emitters and report the observation of spin-dependent optical transitions, a key requirement for spin-photon interfaces. By engineering the isotopic composition of the SiC matrix, we reduce the inhomogeneous spectral distribution of different emitters down to 100 MHz, significantly smaller than any other single quantum emitter. Additionally, we tailor the dopant concentration to stabilise the telecom-wavelength V4+ charge state, thereby extending its lifetime by at least two orders of magnitude. These results bolster the prospects for single V emitters in SiC as material nodes in scalable telecom quantum networks.
Merizo: a rapid and accurate protein domain segmentation method using invariant point attention
Authors: Lau Andy M. , Kandathil Shaun M. , Jones David T.
Published: December 2023

The AlphaFold Protein Structure Database, containing predictions for over 200 million proteins, has been met with enthusiasm over its potential in enriching structural biological research and beyond. Currently, access to the database is precluded by an urgent need for tools that allow the efficient traversal, discovery, and documentation of its contents. Identifying domain regions in the database is a non-trivial endeavour and doing so will aid our understanding of protein structure and function, while facilitating drug discovery and comparative genomics. Here, we describe a deep learning method for domain segmentation called Merizo, which learns to cluster residues into domains in a bottom-up manner. Merizo is trained on CATH domains and fine-tuned on AlphaFold2 models via self-distillation, enabling it to be applied to both experimental and AlphaFold2 models. As proof of concept, we apply Merizo to the human proteome, identifying 40,818 putative domains that can be matched to CATH representative domains.
Endoxifen downregulates AKT phosphorylation through protein kinase C beta 1 inhibition in ERα+ breast cancer
Authors: Jayaraman Swaathi , Wu Xinyan , Kalari Krishna R. , Tang Xiaojia , Kuffel Mary J. , Bruinsma Elizabeth S. , Jalali Shahrzad , Peterson Kevin L. , Correia Cristina , Kudgus Rachel A. , Kaufmann Scott H. , Renuse Santosh , Ingle James N. , Reid Joel M. , Ames Matthew M. , Fields Alan P. , Schellenberg Matthew J. , Hawse John R. , Pandey Akhilesh , Goetz Matthew P.
Published: December 2023

Endoxifen, a secondary tamoxifen metabolite, is a potent antiestrogen exhibiting estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) binding at nanomolar concentrations. Phase I/II clinical trials identified clinical activity of Z-endoxifen (ENDX), in endocrine-refractory metastatic breast cancer as well as ERα+ solid tumors, raising the possibility that ENDX may have a second, ERα-independent, mechanism of action. An unbiased mass spectrometry approach revealed that ENDX concentrations achieved clinically with direct ENDX administration (5 µM), but not low concentrations observed during tamoxifen treatment (<0.1 µM), profoundly altered the phosphoproteome of the aromatase expressing MCF7AC1 cells with limited impact on the total proteome. Computational analysis revealed protein kinase C beta (PKCβ) and protein kinase B alpha or AKT1 as potential kinases responsible for mediating ENDX effects on protein phosphorylation. ENDX more potently inhibited PKCβ1 kinase activity compared to other PKC isoforms, and ENDX binding to PKCβ1 was confirmed using Surface Plasma Resonance. Under conditions that activated PKC/AKT signaling, ENDX induced PKCβ1 degradation, attenuated PKCβ1-activated AKTSer473 phosphorylation, diminished AKT substrate phosphorylation, and induced apoptosis. ENDX’s effects on AKT were phenocopied by siRNA-mediated PKCβ1 knockdown or treatment with the pan-AKT inhibitor, MK-2206, while overexpression of constitutively active AKT diminished ENDX-induced apoptosis. These findings, which identify PKCβ1 as an ENDX target, indicate that PKCβ1/ENDX interactions suppress AKT signaling and induce apoptosis in breast cancer.
American local government elections database
Authors: de Benedictis-Kessner Justin , Lee Diana Da In , Velez Yamil R. , Warshaw Christopher
Published: December 2023

The study of urban and local politics in the United States has long been hindered by a lack of centralized sources of election data. We introduce a new database of about 78,000 candidates in 57,000 electoral contests that encompasses races for seven distinct local political offices in most medium and large cities and counties in the U.S. over the last three decades. This is the most comprehensive publicly-available source of information on local elections across the country. We provide partisan and demographic information about candidates in these races as well as electoral outcomes. This new database will facilitate a myriad of new research on representation and elections in local governments.
CFD estimation of gas production in tight carbonates using single and dual-porosity models
Authors: Khadri Syed Oubee , Hussein Ibnelwaleed A. , Sadooni Fadhil , Shirif Ezeddin
Published: December 2023

Tight Carbonate reservoirs are regarded as one of the most complex reservoir formations due to the heterogeneity and complexity of their mineral composition, pore structure, and storage model. It is uncommon to study the implementation of a transport model appropriate for such formation. Recent studies focused on tight reservoirs and developed models for shale or coal bed methane reservoirs. This study proposes a single and dual-porosity transport model that solely considers the tight matrix and acidized region to shed light on the transport models for tight carbonates. The numerical model included the effect of transport mechanisms such as Knudsen diffusion, desorption, and viscous flow. The proposed transport model includes the apparent permeability model defining these transport mechanisms. Finite element method analysis was conducted on the numerical model using COMSOL Multiphysics. Due to the presence of nanopores in both shale and tight Carbonate, transport models proposed for the former can be utilized to determine the fluid flow behavior in the latter. The adsorption isotherm, rock density, pore structure, porosity, and permeability of the tight carbonate reservoir, which contrasted with the shale results, were the defining features of the reservoir used in the transport model. The dual-porosity model yielded a peak production of 104,000 m3/day, whereas the proposed model represents a shallow production rate from the single-porosity reservoir. The results were validated with an analytical solution proposed in the literature. Based on the literature findings and the production profile, the desorption did not play a significant role in the total production due to calcite’s low affinity towards CH4.
Effects of web-based mindfulness training on psychological outcomes, attention, and neuroplasticity
Authors: Mora Álvarez María Guadalupe , Hölzel Britta Karen , Bremer Benno , Wilhelm Maximilian , Hell Elena , Tavacioglu Ebru Ecem , Koch Kathrin , Torske Alyssa
Published: December 2023

Mindfulness meditation training (MMT) reliably reduces stress and anxiety while also improving attention. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between MMT, stress and anxiety reduction, and its impact upon improvements in attention on the behavioral and neuronal levels. As a second aim, we sought to explore any relationship between MMT, attention, and modified states of mind such as flow. 118 healthy, meditation-naïve, participants were either assigned to a 31-day, web-based, MMT or an active control, health training (HT). Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing the attention network test (ANT) to assess functional and behavioural attentional changes, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess microstructural neuronal changes and completed relevant questionnaires to explore changes in psychological outcomes. Results confirmed a reduction in perceived stress and anxiety levels in the MMT group and significant improvements in the overall reaction time during the ANT, albeit no specific effects on the attentional components were observed. No statistically significant changes were found in the HT group. Interestingly, a significant group-by-time interaction was seen in flow experience. Functional data exhibited an increased activity in the superior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex, and right hippocampus during the alerting condition of the ANT after the MMT; decreased stress and trait anxiety were significantly correlated with the activation in the right hippocampus, and increased flow was also significantly correlated with all the aforementioned areas. DTI data showed increased fractional anisotropy values in the right uncinate fasciculus indicating white matter microarchitecture improvement between the right hippocampus and frontal areas of the brain. This study, therefore, demonstrates the effectiveness of web-based MMT on overall well-being and attentional performance, while also providing insight into the relationship between psychological outcomes, attention, and neuroplastic changes.
Noninvasive evaluation of pulmonary artery stiffness in heart failure patients via cardiovascular magnetic resonance
Authors: Hou Xuewen , Hashemi Djawid , Erley Jennifer , Neye Marthe , Bucius Paulius , Tanacli Radu , Kühne Titus , Kelm Marcus , Motzkus Laura , Blum Moritz , Edelmann Frank , Kuebler Wolfgang M. , Pieske Burkert , Düngen Hans-Dirk , Schuster Andreas , Stoiber Lukas , Kelle Sebastian
Published: December 2023

Heart failure (HF) presents manifestations in both cardiac and vascular abnormalities. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is prevalent in up 50% of HF patients. While pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is closely associated with pulmonary artery (PA) stiffness, the association of HF caused, post-capillary PH and PA stiffness is unknown. We aimed to assess and compare PA stiffness and blood flow hemodynamics noninvasively across HF entities and control subjects without HF using CMR. We analyzed data of a prospectively conducted study with 74 adults, including 55 patients with HF across the spectrum (20 HF with preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF], 18 HF with mildly-reduced ejection fraction [HFmrEF] and 17 HF with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF]) as well as 19 control subjects without HF. PA stiffness was defined as reduced vascular compliance, indicated primarily by the relative area change (RAC), altered flow hemodynamics were detected by increased flow velocities, mainly by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Correlations between the variables were explored using correlation and linear regression analysis. PA stiffness was significantly increased in HF patients compared to controls (RAC 30.92 ± 8.47 vs. 50.08 ± 9.08%, p < 0.001). PA blood flow parameters were significantly altered in HF patients (PWV 3.03 ± 0.53 vs. 2.11 ± 0.48, p < 0.001). These results were consistent in all three HF groups (HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF) compared to the control group. Furthermore, PA stiffness was associated with higher NT-proBNP levels and a reduced functional status. PA stiffness can be assessed non-invasively by CMR. PA stiffness is increased in HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF patients when compared to control subjects.

Trial registration The study was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS, registration number: DRKS00015615).
Energy-absorption analyses of honeycomb-structured Al-alloy and nylon sheets using modified split Hopkinson pressure bar
Authors: Kim Selim , Kim Minu , Kim Ki Jong , Lee Jae Min , Cheong Hae-Won , Kim Hyoung Seop , Lee Sunghak
Published: December 2023

Thin cylindrical honeycomb-structured aluminum alloy and mono-cast (MC) nylon were studied as superior energy-absorbing materials compared to metallic foams. Their energy-absorbing performance was assessed using a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). Key parameters included maximum impact acceleration (amax) and its reduction ratio (compared to the none-specimen case). The lowest amax reduction ratio was observed in bulk Al sheets without honeycomb cavities. As the cavity fraction increased up to 79% in honeycomb-structured Al specimens, the amax reduction ratio improved due to broadened stress–time curves with a shallow-plateau shape. This made high-cavity-fraction Al specimens preferable for higher-energy absorption and lighter-weight buffering materials. In nylon specimens, the amax reduction ratio increased until the fraction reached 52% due the softer and more deformable nature of the polymeric nylon. Thicker or rotated Al specimens also showed higher amax reduction ratios due to sufficient and continuous energy absorption. The modified SHPB demonstrated effective energy-buffering concepts and provided insightful amax interpretations, overcoming complexities in energy absorption analyses.
Axial compressor blades tip leakage flow control using natural aspiration
Authors: Nejad Peyman Ghashghaie , Zenouz Reza Taghavi
Published: December 2023

Blades tip leakage flow structure in axial compressors has dominant effects on flow stability and losses. Accordingly, in the present study, three different ideas are introduced for alleviation of undesirable effects of the blades tip leakage flow. These ideas utilize circumferential tape, S-shape nozzle and natural aspiration slot, all imposed upstream the rotor blades row. The method of investigation is based on numerical simulation of the governing flow field. Results, in terms of the flow field structure and performance curves are compared with those of the untreated case. Final results, showed that the natural aspiration idea works better than the other ones. In comparison to the plane case, it is accompanied by augmentation of 3.5% in the total pressure ratio and 3% in the surge margin. It was also found that the mass flow rate passing through the blades row tip gap has increased by 2.33 g/s in the natural aspiration case.
Transfer learning for versatile and training free high content screening analyses
Authors: Corbe Maxime , Boncompain Gaëlle , Perez Franck , Del Nery Elaine , Genovesio Auguste
Published: December 2023

High content screening (HCS) is a technology that automates cell biology experiments at large scale. A High Content Screen produces a high amount of microscopy images of cells under many conditions and requires that a dedicated image and data analysis workflow be designed for each assay to select hits. This heavy data analytic step remains challenging and has been recognized as one of the burdens hindering the adoption of HCS. In this work we propose a solution to hit selection by using transfer learning without additional training. A pretrained residual network is employed to encode each image of a screen into a discriminant representation. The deep features obtained are then corrected to account for well plate bias and misalignment. We then propose two training-free pipelines dedicated to the two main categories of HCS for compound selection: with or without positive control. When a positive control is available, it is used alongside the negative control to compute a linear discriminant axis, thus building a classifier without training. Once all samples are projected onto this axis, the conditions that best reproduce the positive control can be selected. When no positive control is available, the Mahalanobis distance is computed from each sample to the negative control distribution. The latter provides a metric to identify the conditions that alter the negative control’s cell phenotype. This metric is subsequently used to categorize hits through a clustering step. Given the lack of available ground truth in HCS, we provide a qualitative comparison of the results obtained using this approach with results obtained with handcrafted image analysis features for compounds and siRNA screens with or without control. Our results suggests that the fully automated and generic pipeline we propose offers a good alternative to handcrafted dedicated image analysis approaches. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this solution select conditions of interest that had not been identified using the primary dedicated analysis. Altogether, this approach provides a fully automated, reproducible, versatile and comprehensive alternative analysis solution for HCS encompassing compound-based or downregulation screens, with or without positive controls, without the need for training or cell detection, or the development of a dedicated image analysis workflow.
ANN deformation prediction model for deep foundation pit with considering the influence of rainfall
Authors: Wei Xing , Cheng Shitao , Chen Rui , Wang Zijian , Li Yanjun
Published: December 2023

Deep foundation pits involving complex soil–water-structure interactions are often at a high risk of failure under heavy rainfall. Predicted deformation is an important index for early risk warning. In the study, an ANN model is proposed based on the Wave Transform (WT), Copula method, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network (LSTM). The total deformation was firstly decomposed into low and high frequency components with WT. The CNN and LSTM were then used for prediction of the two components with rolling training and prediction. The input variables of the CNN and LSTM were determined and optimized based on the correlations analysis of Copula method of the two components with different random variables, especially with the rainfall. And finally, the predicted total deformation was obtained by adding the two prediction components. A deep foundation pit in Chengdu, China was taken as a case study, of which the horizontal deformation curves at different measuring points shows three types of developed trend, as unstable, less stable, and stable types. The predictions of the deformations of different development types by the proposed ANN model show high accuracies with a few input variables and can accurately prompt risk warning in advance.