bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Adult Learning Theory to Guide Instruction in Training Physical Therapy Students on the Use of AI in Didactic Education
Authors: Thompson Stacia Hall , Fecher Patricia
Published: May 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) use is increasing in physical therapy. Didactic curricular experiences can introduce AI to prepare students for clinical practice. A targeted approach to learning incorporating Adult Learning Theory can foster student development of critical thinking for translation to appropriate use in clinical practice.
DATFNets-dynamic adaptive assigned transformer network for fire detection
Authors: Wang Zuoxin , Zhao Xiaohu , Li Dunqing
Published: May 2024

Fires cause severe damage to the ecological environment and threaten human life and property. Although the traditional convolutional neural network method effectively detects large-area fires, it cannot capture small fires in complex areas through a limited receptive field. At the same time, fires can change at any time due to the influence of wind direction, which challenges fire prevention and control personnel. To solve these problems, a novel dynamic adaptive distribution transformer detection framework is proposed to help firefighters and researchers develop optimal fire management strategies. On the one hand, this framework embeds a context aggregation layer with a masking strategy in the feature extractor to improve the representation of low-level and salient features. The masking strategy can reduce irrelevant information and improve network generalization. On the other hand, designed a dynamic adaptive direction conversion function and sample allocation strategy to fully use adaptive point representation while achieving accurate positioning and classification of fires and screening out representative fire samples in complex backgrounds. In addition, to prevent the network from being limited to the local optimum and discrete points in the sample from causing severe interference to the overall performance, designed a weighted loss function with spatial constraints to optimize the network and penalize the discrete points in the sample. The mAP in the three baseline data sets of FireDets, WildFurgFires, and FireAndSmokes are 0.871, 0.909, and 0.955, respectively. The experimental results are significantly better than other detection methods, which proves that the proposed method has good robustness and detection performance.
Surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithms for expensive combinatorial optimization: a survey
Authors: Liu Shulei , Wang Handing , Peng Wei , Yao Wen
Published: May 2024

As potent approaches for addressing computationally expensive optimization problems, surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithms (SAEAs) have garnered increasing attention. Prevailing endeavors in evolutionary computation predominantly concentrate on expensive continuous optimization problems, with a notable scarcity of investigations directed toward expensive combinatorial optimization problems (ECOPs). Nevertheless, numerous ECOPs persist in practical applications. The widespread prevalence of such problems starkly contrasts the limited development of relevant research. Motivated by this disparity, this paper conducts a comprehensive survey on SAEAs tailored to address ECOPs. This survey comprises two primary segments. The first segment synthesizes prevalent global, local, hybrid, and learning search strategies, elucidating their respective strengths and weaknesses. Subsequently, the second segment furnishes an overview of surrogate-based evaluation technologies, delving into three pivotal facets: model selection, construction, and management. The paper also discusses several potential future directions for SAEAs with a focus towards expensive combinatorial optimization.
The Potential of Vehicle-to-Home Integration for Residential Prosumers: A Case Study
Authors: Brennenstuhl Marcus , Otto Robert , Elangovan Pawan Kumar , Eicker Ursula
Published: May 2024

The transition of the transport sector to e-mobility poses various challenges but also provides great flexible load and supply potential and thus enables a stronger coupling of the transport sector with other sectors. If emerging opportunities such as bidirectional charging in the context of Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid applications are utilised, a previously unimagined load management and storage potential can be tapped. This can transform e-mobility from an additional burden to the grid to a grid-supporting factor that enables greater integration of renewable energies and reduces additional investments in infrastructure like grid expansion and stationary storage systems. In order to investigate this potential, within this work we examine simulation based various Vehicle-to-Home (PV self-consumption, load shifting due to flexible electricity tariff) and Vehicle-to-Grid (secondary reserve) scenarios for different driving profiles for a residential building with heat pump, PV system and optionally a small wind turbine. In addition, a charge load optimisation is carried out using a genetic algorithm. The energy quantities, saving potential and additional number of battery cycles are quantified. The results show that, despite additional battery degradation, significant financial incentives can be achieved.
Empirical calibration method for the thermal simulation of Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 single tracks in laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Bruckhaus Lars , Wegner Jan , Schnell Norman , Schönrath Hanna , Barreto Erika Soares , Frey Maximilian , Ellendt Nils , Busch Ralf , Kleszczynski Stefan
Published: May 2024

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are materials that, due to their amorphous microstructure, offer a unique combination of high strength, hardness, and elasticity, making them attractive for various applications. Using laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) enables overcoming the current limitations of BMGs in size and shape imposed by traditional manufacturing methods such as casting. Despite its potential, challenges such as porosity, (nano-) crystallization, and impurities affect the mechanical performance of additively manufactured BMGs. This study focuses on the Cu–Ti-based alloy Vit101, known for its higher strength and improved cost-effectiveness compared to Zr-based BMGs. In-situ high-speed pyrometry and thermal simulations of single tracks are employed to enhance the understanding of processing and controlling the thermal cycling of Vit101. The proposed experimental calibration is performed through an off-axis integration of the pyrometer, allowing for in-situ temperature measurements. The acquired data show sufficient congruence with the simulated cooling profiles. Minimal cooling rates in the range of 104 K/s were measured and simulated above the glass transition temperature, indicating a large leeway for further development of glass-forming alloys. Scan track widths are evaluated for validation, resulting in minor deviations between 0.47% and 3.17%. However, challenges emerge at high scanning speeds, leading to higher deviations attributed to balling phenomena, which are not considered in the numerical model.
Zr-based bulk metallic glasses in PBF-LB/M: near-polished surface quality in the as-built state
Authors: Wegner Jan , Bruckhaus Lars , Schroer Martin A. , Rayer Moritz , Schoenrath Hanna , Kleszczynski Stefan
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the relationship between varying contour scanning parameters and their impact on both surface characteristics and mechanical performance of the glass-forming Zr59.3Cu28.8Al10.4Nb1.5 produced via PBF-LB/M. Near-polished surface states with Ra values below 1 µm were achieved. The study identifies increased laser power as a key factor in reducing the surface roughness, while repetitive scanning exhibits only marginal improvements in surface quality. Partial crystallization on the surface of the amorphous samples is found on the as-built surfaces. However, it appears to be confined to depths below 50 µm. Impressively, the material showcases large mechanical strength in the as-built condition, evidenced by a high flexural strength of 2.2 GPa combined with approximately 1% plastic deformation. These findings offer initial insights into optimizing additive manufacturing processes for BMGs, guiding the enhancement of both surface quality and mechanical robustness in Zr-based metallic glass fabricated via PBF-LB/M techniques.
Bridge Damage Detection with Support Vector Machine in Accelerometer-Based Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Kustiana Willy Aulia Akbar , Trilaksono Bambang Riyanto , Riyansyah Muhammad , Putra Seno Adi , Caesarendra Wahyu , Królczyk Grzegorz , Sulowicz Maciej
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper proposes an in-network vibration data processing using Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) leveraging Machine Learning (ML) for damage detection and localization. The study also presents the ML algorithms comparison that is suitable to be deployed in WSN and implemented the proposed cluster-based WSN topology on the bridge simulation test.

Methods

The bridge vibration data was acquired using accelerometer-based wireless sensor nodes. The data collected are transformed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to obtain fundamental frequencies and their corresponding amplitudes. The machine learning method i.e., Support Vector Machine (SVM) with linear and Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel was used to analyze the vibration data collected from the WSN. In-network data processing and cluster-based WSN topology is implemented and the programmable wireless sensor nodes is utilized in this study.

Results

The experiments were conducted using real programmable wireless sensor nodes and developed our test bed bridge which makes this work different from the previous studies. The classification and predicting results shows 97%, 96%, 97%, and 96% for accuracy, precision, recall rate, and f1-score, respectively.

Conclusion

Machine learning methods can potentially be combined with the vibration WSN for bridge damage detection and localization.
A Reference Process for Assessing the Reliability of Predictive Analytics Results
Authors: Staudinger Simon , Schuetz Christoph G. , Schrefl Michael
Published: May 2024

Organizations employ data mining to discover patterns in historic data in order to learn predictive models. Depending on the predictive model the predictions may be more or less accurate, raising the question about the reliability of individual predictions. This paper proposes a reference process aligned with the CRISP-DM to enable the assessment of reliability of individual predictions obtained from a predictive model. The reference process describes activities along the different stages of the development process required to establish a reliability assessment approach for a predictive model. The paper then presents in more detail two specific approaches for reliability assessment: perturbation of input cases and local quality measures. Furthermore, this paper describes elements of a knowledge graph to capture important metadata about the development process and training data. The knowledge graph serves to properly configure and employ the reliability assessment approaches.
Delineation of aquifer storage potential in response to regional groundwater development
Authors: Alao Joseph Omeiza , Lawal Hammed A. , Abdulsalami Momohjimoh , Abubakar Fahad , Abduwahab Obanero O. , Mary Ekwu Tongha , Yusuf Mumeen Adebayo
Published: May 2024

Developing aquifers as part of sustainability efforts toward groundwater development is a tactical approach to meeting water demand and management objectives. Delineation of aquifer storage potential (ASP) and longitudinal conductance ($${S}_{L}$$

S
L

) is a good approach to protect and manage groundwater resources. A Schlumberger configuration was applied to delineate fifteen (15) vertical electrical sounding (VES) stations alongside a 2D electrical resistivity imagery (ERI) profile and regional borehole data to characterize the regional ASP. The results of the study show that the layer resistivity and thickness values of the regional aquifer unit range from 39.9–105 Ωm and 15–44 m, respectively, while the overburden thickness overlays the regional aquifer unit varied between 5–10 m corresponding to the regional borehole data. The weathered/fractured basemen, which constitute the regional aquifer unit were delineated, which consists of shallow, moderate, and deep aquifer zones. The deep aquifer zones fall within the depth of 30–44 m and are considered suitable for groundwater prospective. The weathered layer with appreciably low resistivity values with thick aquifer regolith has also been identified as most suitable for borehole siting. The weathered/fractured encountered within thick aquifer regolith were mapped as the region with a high ASP for groundwater development. In addition, the values of longitudinal conductance, $${S}_{L}$$

S
L

and transverse resistance, $${R}_{T}$$

R
T

estimated from aquifer parameters vary between $$0.21-0.85 \,{\Omega }^{-1}$$

0.21
-
0.85

Ω

-
1

and $$1695-3124\, {\Omega m}^{2}$$

1695
-
3124

Ω
m

2

, respectively. The $${S}_{L}$$

S
L

values show that the study area falls within moderate ($$0.20-0.69 \,{\Omega }^{-1}$$

0.20
-
0.69

Ω

-
1

) and good ($$0.7-4.9 \,{\Omega }^{-1}$$

0.7
-
4.9

Ω

-
1

), which invariably determined the regional aquifer protective capacity. Thus, the DC geoelectrical approach has been successfully employed in a lateritic-based environment to delineate aquifer-promising zones for regional groundwater development.
Hydrogen production by 3D-printed electrodes
Authors: Pereira Mateus Veras , Neumsteir Naile Vacilotto , Bonacin Juliano Alves
Published: May 2024

The increasing demand for energy, depletion of traditional energy sources, and environmental concerns have generated an energy crisis in recent years. To address this challenge, innovative and low-cost solutions have been sought, such as the use of 3D printing for decentralized hydrogen production. In this paper, we present the production of conductive filaments prepared from polylactic acid (PLA) and Carbon Black (CB), which were used for the 3D printing of electrodes. The produced materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and electrochemical techniques. The 3D-printed electrodes were used as substrates for CoPi electrodeposition to evaluate their performance in hydrogen production. The 3D-printed electrodes, made from filaments prepared in the laboratory, demonstrated superior electrochemical performance and hydrogen production compared to electrodes printed compared with commercial filament. The PLA@CB72R and CoPi#PLA@CB72R electrodes showed better hydrogen production performance, 10.08 and 10.20 μmol min−1, respectively. This study provides a perspective for the manufacture of filaments and 3D-printed electrodes for energy conversion applications, such as hydrogen production.
An assessment of barriers and facilitators of near-peer coaching on surgical clerkships: a mixed-methods study from resident’s perspective
Authors: Ackah Ruth L. , Kenawy Dahlia M. , Vaidya Prashansha S. , Shalash Bayan J. , Haywood Kylie T. , Henry Rebecca C. , Cunningham Lisa A. , Harzman Alan E. , Traugott Amber L. , Chen Xiaodong
Published: May 2024

Purpose

We implemented a near-peer (resident–student) coaching intervention in 2021–2022 to improve clerkship students’ health system science (HSS) learning and application. This study thus sought to identify implementation barriers and potential facilitators of an effective HSS near-peer coaching program for clerkship students from the resident coach’s perspective at a single tertiary-care institution.

Methods

A mixed-methods study design was employed. Thirty surgical residents volunteered to serve as HSS coaches for rotating third-year medical students during the 2021–2022 academic year. Coaches were asked to complete an exit survey, and a subset was purposefully sampled to complete semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were coded and analyzed with a framework method to identify emergent themes indicative of the barriers and facilitators of effective implementation of this near-peer HSS coaching program.

Results

A total of 20/30 (67%) resident coaches completed the survey and 50% of these residents (n = 10/20) completed an interview. Coaches facilitated multiple meetings (ranging from 1 to more than 5 times) with their assigned students over the course of the 3-month surgical rotations. Most coaches who deemed themselves successful in coaching reported early prioritization of setting individualized clerkship goals. Rapport building and strong communication were also important factors identified in facilitating effective near-peer cognitive coaching relationships.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that, from residents’ perspective, effective near-peer coaching by residents on surgical clerkships requires special emphasis on early goal setting, as well as training and development of coaches in skills, such as feedback delivery, and rapport building to encourage strong resident–student coaching relationships that cater to the individualized needs of the learner.
Just How River‐Like Are Atmospheric Rivers?
Authors: LeGrande A. N. , Booth J. F. , Naud C. M. , Ordaz C. , Crespo J. A.
Published: May 2024

Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) are synoptic‐scale conduits for poleward transport of heat and water, often associated with extreme rainfall. Using NASA surface heat flux observations and climate model simulations, we assess whether ARs are “rivers”, transporting heat and moisture over longer distances, or mostly local convergence. The observations indicate that ARs reduce extratropical surface energy fluxes, even during early development. This damping of surface fluxes during ARs is also simulated in the Goddard Institute for Space Studies ModelE, 2.1 (GISS‐E2.1) nudged to (MERRA2) reanalysis winds. Furthermore, water provenance tracers in GISS‐E2.1 identify the moisture source for ∼7,500 ARs globally during 2018–2022 as farther upstream and equatorward compared to climatology. These results quantitatively show that ARs source relatively less moisture from the surface beneath them and more from a greater distance than during non‐AR times.
Rapid Restratification Processes Control Mixed Layer Turbulence and Phytoplankton Growth in a Deep Convection Region
Authors: Miracca‐Lage Mariana , Becherer Johannes , Merckelbach Lucas , Bosse Anthony , Testor Pierre , Carpenter Jeffrey R.
Published: May 2024

The Gulf of Lion, Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, is one of few oceanic regions where deep convection occurs. We investigate the restratification following a convection event using measurements from an ocean glider equipped with turbulence microstructure sensors. This unique combination of instruments provides a high‐resolution description of the mixed layer with regard to turbulence, stratification and chlorophyll. We observe a rapid restratification process that proceeds over a timescale of days to one week. We find that restratification exerts a leading order control on surface mixed layer turbulence variability, as abrupt changes in turbulence dissipation rates are associated with the formation of near‐surface stratification. The near‐surface formation of stratification occurs through both the diurnal variability in surface buoyancy fluxes and through lateral advective processes. We conclude that daily near‐surface processes that influence stratification control mixed layer turbulence levels, and thus the phytoplankton response in the critical transition period to spring bloom.
On the Self‐Quenching of Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanches Producing Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes
Authors: Gourbin P. , Celestin S.
Published: May 2024

Terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) are short bursts of gamma rays occurring during thunderstorms. They are believed to be produced by relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREAs). It is usually admitted that the number of high‐energy electrons produced in the brightest TGFs remains mostly confined within a range from 1017 to 1019. To understand the constraints in the development of RREAs, we perform self‐consistent simulations using a newly developed model with a finite acceleration region and various injection rates. We find that RREAs should naturally self‐quench for a fixed total number of runaway electrons, and hence a fixed number of bremsstrahlung photons. From the idea that TGF sources quench themselves, we derive a simple equation controlling the total number of runaway electrons. In this framework, the existence of a saturation in the electron density discovered in a previous work places a lower limit on TGF durations.
Additive Water Uptake of the Mixtures of Urban Atmospheric HULIS and Ammonium Sulfate
Authors: Zhou Ruichen , Afsana Sonia , Wei Chenran , Mochida Michihiro
Published: May 2024

The hygroscopicity of atmospheric aerosols affect the global climate and human health. However, the hygroscopic behavior of mixtures of inorganic salts and organics in atmospheric aerosols have not been well characterized for ambient complex organic mixtures. Here, the hygroscopic growth of humic‐like substances (HULIS), which represent the complexity of organic aerosol compounds, from urban aerosols and their mixtures with ammonium sulfate were investigated with measurements from a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer and model analyses. The Zdanovskii–Stokes–Robinson (ZSR) relationship, which assumes that the water uptake of each component is additive, was examined for the mixtures. The dependence of the hygroscopicity parameters (κ) of the mixtures on the volume fraction of HULIS is generally represented by the ZSR relationship with the deviations of κ on average of 16% (4%–27% in different mixing ratios), and 0.03 (0.02–0.04) on absolute basis. An assumption of asphericity for the dry particles reduced the deviations (14%). Approximations for the surface tension depression by surfactants and surface‐bulk partitioning were predicted to account for the deviations to a small extent. Furthermore, a thermodynamic model for simplified compound systems showed that the non‐ideality of the solutions potentially explained the deviations from the ZSR relationship. The results of this study support the use of the ZSR relationship for organic‒inorganic mixtures as a practical approximation in atmospheric models, provide a guide for the uncertainty associated with this approximation, and suggest directions for future studies.
Temporal Variability of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly Crest Locations Extracted From Global Ionospheric Maps
Authors: Dunn Corina , Meng Xing , Verkhoglyadova Olga P.
Published: May 2024

The Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) crest location is known to vary over a variety of temporal scales. For the first time we perform a statistical survey of the temporal variation of the EIA crest location viewed globally and spanning 20 years. We extract the crest location for double‐peaked EIAs from a data set of total electron content intensifications identified on global ionospheric maps from 2003 to 2022. We show that the dominant temporal variations of the crest latitude are annual and semi‐diurnal for the northern crest, and annual and diurnal for the southern crest. For the annual variation, we find that both crests move poleward in local summer and equatorward in local winter, which is more pronounced for the southern crest than the northern crest, and more pronounced at solar minimum than solar maximum. For the diurnal and semi‐diurnal variations in universal time, both crests dip southward around 15UT and the northern crest additionally dips southward around 2.5UT. We consider apparent universal time dependence to be a proxy for the longitudinal distribution of the crest geomagnetic latitude, which exhibits the known wave‐number‐four longitudinal structure of EIA crests. In local time, the EIA crests form earlier than 10LT and move poleward to their maximum distance at 14LT, and remain at constant latitude until 18LT. Solar cycle modulation on the diurnal/semi‐diurnal variations and the local time evolution of the crest latitude is minimal.
Relative Seismic Velocity Variations at Axial Seamount Observed With Ambient Seismic Noise Capture Transition Point in Volcanic Inflation
Authors: Lee Michelle K. , Tan Yen Joe , Russell Joshua B. , Tolstoy Maya , Waldhauser Felix
Published: May 2024

Temporal changes in seismic velocity estimated from ambient seismic noise can be utilized to infer subsurface properties at volcanic systems. In this study, we process 7 years of continuous seismic noise at Axial Seamount and use cross‐correlation functions to calculate the relative seismic velocity changes (dv/v) beneath the caldera. We find a long‐term trend of decreasing velocity during rapid inflation, followed by slight increase in velocities as background seismicity increases and inflation rate decreases. Furthermore, we observe small short‐term increases in dv/v which coincide with short‐term deflation events. Our observations of changes in dv/v and their correlation with other geophysical data provide insights into how the top ∼1 km of the crust at Axial Seamount changes in response to subsurface magma movement and capture the transition from a period of rapid reinflation to a period where the caldera wall faults become critically stressed and must rupture to accommodate further inflation.
The Adiabatic 1D Kinetic Equilibrium of the Electron Diffusion Region During Anti‐Parallel Magnetic Reconnection
Authors: Egedal Jan
Published: May 2024

An earlier model of the electron distribution function accounts for the pressure anisotropy that develops in the inflow regions during anti‐parallel magnetic reconnection. However, the model is not applicable to the electron diffusion region (EDR), where the electron magnetic moments break as an adiabatic invariant. The earlier model is here generalized through the use of the current‐sheet adiabatic invariant of a 1D current layer, to become applicable also to the EDR. The new generalized model reproduces the main features of the EDR and its vicinity observed in a fully kinetic simulation, formally proving the 1D equilibrium relationship between the upstream electron pressure anisotropy and the EDR electron jets.
Amygdala volumes and associations with socio-emotional competencies in preterm youth: cross-sectional and longitudinal data
Authors: Pereira Camejo Maricé , Escobar Saade Luciana , Liverani Maria Chiara , Fischi-Gomez Elda , Gui Laura , Borradori Tolsa Cristina , Ha-Vinh Leuchter Russia , Hüppi Petra Susan , Siffredi Vanessa
Published: May 2024

Background

Socio-emotional difficulties often result from very preterm (VPT) birth. The amygdala’s developmental trajectory, including its nuclei, has been recognized as a significant factor in observed difficulties. This study aims to assess the relationship between amygdala volume and socio-emotional competencies in VPT children and adolescents.

Methods

Socio-emotional competencies were assessed, and amygdala volumes, including subnuclei, were extracted automatically from structural scans in a cross-sectional cohort of VPT (n = 75) and full-term (FT, n = 41) aged 6–14 years. Group differences in amygdala volumes were assessed using ANCOVA, and associations with socio-emotional competencies were studied using partial least squares correlation (PLSC). In a VPT subgroup, additional longitudinal data with amygdala volumes at term-equivalent age (TEA) were manually extracted, growth rates calculated, and associations with school-age socio-emotional competencies investigated using PLSC.

Results

Using cross-sectional data at school-age, amygdala volumes displayed comparable developmental patterns between the VPT and the FT groups. Greater volumes were associated with more emotional regulation difficulties in VPT and lower affect recognition competencies in FT. In the longitudinal VPT subgroup, no significant associations were found between amygdala volume trajectory and socio-emotional competencies.

Conclusion

Although our findings suggest typical amygdala development after VPT birth, further research is necessary to elucidate the developmental trajectory of amygdala and the role of resilience factors.

Impact

In our cohort, amygdala volumes, including subnuclei, displayed comparable developmental trajectories between the very preterm and the full-term groups.

Higher amygdala volumes at school-age were associated with higher emotional regulation difficulties in the very-preterm born group, and with lower affect recognition abilities in full-term born children and adolescents.

In a subgroup of very-preterm children and adolescents followed from birth to school-age, no significant associations were found between amygdala volumes at term-equivalent age and socio-emotional competencies at school-age.
Sperm freezing damage: the role of regulated cell death
Authors: Hai Erhan , Li Boyuan , Zhang Jian , Zhang Jiaxin
Published: May 2024

Substantial progress in research on sperm cryopreservation has occurred since the twentieth century, especially focusing on improving sperm freezing procedures and optimizing semen extenders. However, the cellular biological mechanisms of sperm freezing damage are still unclear, which greatly restricts the promotion and development of sperm cryopreservation. An essential component of sperm freezing damage is the occurrence of cell death. Considering the existence of multiple types of cell death pathways, this review discusses connections between characteristics of regulated cell death (e.g., apoptosis and ferroptosis), and accidental cell death (e.g., intracellular ice crystals) with sperm freezing damage and explores possible future research directions in this field.
NUP43 promotes PD-L1/nPD-L1/PD-L1 feedback loop via TM4SF1/JAK/STAT3 pathway in colorectal cancer progression and metastatsis
Authors: Wu Fan , Sun Guoqiang , Nai Yongjun , Shi Xuesong , Ma Yong , Cao Hongyong
Published: May 2024

Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has a significant role in tumor progression and metastasis, facilitating tumor cell evasion from immune surveillance. PD-L1 can be detected in the tumor cell nucleus and exert an oncogenic effect by nuclear translocation. Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and liver metastasis (CCLM) are among the most lethal diseases worldwide, but the mechanism of PD-L1 nuclear translocation in CRC and CCLM remains to be fully understood. In this study, using CRISPR-Cas9-based genome-wide screening combined with RNA-seq, we found that the oncogenic factor NUP43 impacted the process of PD-L1 nuclear translocation by regulating the expression level of the PD-L1 chaperone protein IPO5. Subsequent investigation revealed that this process could stimulate the expression of tumor-promoting factor TM4SF1 and further activate the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway, which ultimately enhanced the transcription of PD-L1, thus establishing a PD-L1-nPD-L1-PD-L1 feedback loop that ultimately promoted CRC progression and CCLM. In conclusion, our study reveals a novel role for nPD-L1 in CRC, identifies the PD-L1-nPD-L1-PD-L1 feedback loop in CRC, and provides a therapeutic strategy for CRC patients.
Vasectomy incidence in the military health system after the reversal of Roe v. Wade
Authors: Pierson Benjamin C. , Banaag Amanda , Janvrin Miranda Lynn , Koehlmoos Tracey Pérez
Published: May 2024

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (Dobbs decision) has already had profound impact on reproductive health care in the United States. Some studies have reported increased incidence of vasectomy after the Dobbs decision. The Military Health System (MHS) provides a unique opportunity to evaluate this relationship in a universally insured, geographically representative population. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of vasectomies among all male beneficiaries in the MHS, ages 18 to 64, from 2018 to 2022. Beneficiaries receiving a vasectomy were identified via billing data extraction from the MHS Data Repository (MDR). Descriptive statistics of demographic factors of all those receiving a vasectomy in the study period were evaluated. Crude and multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate for differences in demographic variables in those receiving a vasectomy pre-Dobb’s decision as compared to after the Dobb’s decision. The total number of men receiving a vasectomy each month over the study period was analyzed, as were the numbers in a state immediately implementing abortion access restrictions (Texas), and one without any restrictions on abortion access (Virginia). Our analysis found that men receiving a vasectomy post-Dobbs decision were more likely to be younger, unmarried, and of junior military rank than prior to the Dobbs decision. In the months following the Dobbs decision in 2022 (June-December), there was a 22.1% increase in vasectomy utilization as compared to the averages of those months in 2018–2021. Further, it was found that the relative increase in vasectomy after the Dobbs decision was greater in Texas (29.3%) compared to Virginia (10.6%). Our findings highlight the impact of the Dobbs decision on reproductive health care utilization outside of abortion.
Photoacoustic Tomography with Temporal Encoding Reconstruction (PATTERN) for cross-modal individual analysis of the whole brain
Authors: Chen Yuwen , Yang Haoyu , Luo Yan , Niu Yijun , Yu Muzhou , Deng Shanjun , Wang Xuanhao , Deng Handi , Chen Haichao , Gao Lixia , Li Xinjian , Xu Pingyong , Xue Fudong , Miao Jing , Shi Song-Hai , Zhong Yi , Ma Cheng , Lei Bo
Published: May 2024

Cross-modal analysis of the same whole brain is an ideal strategy to uncover brain function and dysfunction. However, it remains challenging due to the slow speed and destructiveness of traditional whole-brain optical imaging techniques. Here we develop a new platform, termed Photoacoustic Tomography with Temporal Encoding Reconstruction (PATTERN), for non-destructive, high-speed, 3D imaging of ex vivo rodent, ferret, and non-human primate brains. Using an optimally designed image acquisition scheme and an accompanying machine-learning algorithm, PATTERN extracts signals of genetically-encoded probes from photobleaching-based temporal modulation and enables reliable visualization of neural projection in the whole central nervous system with 3D isotropic resolution. Without structural and biological perturbation to the sample, PATTERN can be combined with other whole-brain imaging modalities to acquire the whole-brain image with both high resolution and morphological fidelity. Furthermore, cross-modal transcriptome analysis of an individual brain is achieved by PATTERN imaging. Together, PATTERN provides a compatible and versatile strategy for brain-wide cross-modal analysis at the individual level.
Extreme magnetoresistance at high-mobility oxide heterointerfaces with dynamic defect tunability
Authors: Christensen D. V. , Steegemans T. S. , D. Pomar T. , Chen Y. Z. , Smith A. , Strocov V. N. , Kalisky B. , Pryds N.
Published: May 2024

Magnetic field-induced changes in the electrical resistance of materials reveal insights into the fundamental properties governing their electronic and magnetic behavior. Various classes of magnetoresistance have been realized, including giant, colossal, and extraordinary magnetoresistance, each with distinct physical origins. In recent years, extreme magnetoresistance (XMR) has been observed in topological and non-topological materials displaying a non-saturating magnetoresistance reaching 103−108% in magnetic fields up to 60 T. XMR is often intimately linked to a gapless band structure with steep bands and charge compensation. Here, we show that a linear XMR of 80,000% at 15 T and 2 K emerges at the high-mobility interface between the large band-gap oxides γ-Al2O3 and SrTiO3. Despite the chemically and electronically very dissimilar environment, the temperature/field phase diagrams of γ-Al2O3/SrTiO3 bear a striking resemblance to XMR semimetals. By comparing magnetotransport, microscopic current imaging, and momentum-resolved band structures, we conclude that the XMR in γ-Al2O3/SrTiO3 is not strongly linked to the band structure, but arises from weak disorder enforcing a squeezed guiding center motion of electrons. We also present a dynamic XMR self-enhancement through an autonomous redistribution of quasi-mobile oxygen vacancies. Our findings shed new light on XMR and introduce tunability using dynamic defect engineering.
Electric pulse-tuned piezotronic effect for interface engineering
Authors: Yu Qiuhong , Ge Rui , Wen Juan , Xu Qi , Lu Zhouguang , Liu Shuhai , Qin Yong
Published: May 2024

Investigating interface engineering by piezoelectric, flexoelectric and ferroelectric polarizations in semiconductor devices is important for their applications in electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis and many more. The interface engineering by polarizations strongly depends on the property of interface barrier. However, the fixed value and uncontrollability of interface barrier once it is constructed limit the performance and application scenarios of interface engineering by polarizations. Here, we report a strategy of tuning piezotronic effect (interface barrier and transport controlled by piezoelectric polarization) reversibly and accurately by electric pulse. Our results show that for Ag/HfO2/n-ZnO piezotronic tunneling junction, the interface barrier height can be reversibly tuned as high as 168.11 meV by electric pulse, and the strain (0–1.34‰) modulated current range by piezotronic effect can be switched from 0–18 nA to 44–72 nA. Moreover, piezotronic modification on interface barrier tuned by electric pulse can be up to 148.81 meV under a strain of 1.34‰, which can totally switch the piezotronic performance of the electronics. This study provides opportunities to achieve reversible control of piezotronics, and extend them to a wider range of scenarios and be better suitable for micro/nano-electromechanical systems.
Hsc70 promotes anti-tumor immunity by targeting PD-L1 for lysosomal degradation
Authors: Xu Xiaoyan , Xie Tingxue , Zhou Mengxin , Sun Yaqin , Wang Fengqi , Tian Yanan , Chen Ziyan , Xie Yanqi , Wu Ronghai , Cen Xufeng , Zhou Jichun , Hou Tingjun , Zhang Lei , Huang Chaoyang , Zhao Qingwei , Wang Dongrui , Xia Hongguang
Published: May 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibition targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has become a powerful clinical strategy for treating cancer, but its efficacy is complicated by various resistance mechanisms. One of the reasons for the resistance is the internalization and recycling of PD-L1 itself upon antibody binding. The inhibition of lysosome-mediated degradation of PD-L1 is critical for preserving the amount of PD-L1 recycling back to the cell membrane. In this study, we find that Hsc70 promotes PD-L1 degradation through the endosome-lysosome pathway and reduces PD-L1 recycling to the cell membrane. This effect is dependent on Hsc70-PD-L1 binding which inhibits the CMTM6-PD-L1 interaction. We further identify an Hsp90α/β inhibitor, AUY-922, which induces Hsc70 expression and PD-L1 lysosomal degradation. Either Hsc70 overexpression or AUY-922 treatment can reduce PD-L1 expression, inhibit tumor growth and promote anti-tumor immunity in female mice; AUY-922 can further enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA4 treatment. Our study elucidates a molecular mechanism of Hsc70-mediated PD-L1 lysosomal degradation and provides a target and therapeutic strategies for tumor immunotherapy.
Genome-scale analysis of interactions between genetic perturbations and natural variation
Authors: Hale Joseph J. , Matsui Takeshi , Goldstein Ilan , Mullis Martin N. , Roy Kevin R. , Ville Christopher Ne , Miller Darach , Wang Charley , Reynolds Trevor , Steinmetz Lars M. , Levy Sasha F. , Ehrenreich Ian M.
Published: May 2024

Interactions between genetic perturbations and segregating loci can cause perturbations to show different phenotypic effects across genetically distinct individuals. To study these interactions on a genome scale in many individuals, we used combinatorial DNA barcode sequencing to measure the fitness effects of 8046 CRISPRi perturbations targeting 1721 distinct genes in 169 yeast cross progeny (or segregants). We identified 460 genes whose perturbation has different effects across segregants. Several factors caused perturbations to show variable effects, including baseline segregant fitness, the mean effect of a perturbation across segregants, and interacting loci. We mapped 234 interacting loci and found four hub loci that interact with many different perturbations. Perturbations that interact with a given hub exhibit similar epistatic relationships with the hub and show enrichment for cellular processes that may mediate these interactions. These results suggest that an individual’s response to perturbations is shaped by a network of perturbation-locus interactions that cannot be measured by approaches that examine perturbations or natural variation alone.
Histopathologic image–based deep learning classifier for predicting platinum-based treatment responses in high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Ahn Byungsoo , Moon Damin , Kim Hyun-Soo , Lee Chung , Cho Nam Hoon , Choi Heung-Kook , Kim Dongmin , Lee Jung-Yun , Nam Eun Ji , Won Dongju , An Hee Jung , Kwon Sun Young , Shin Su-Jin , Jung Hye Ra , Kwon Dohee , Park Heejung , Kim Milim , Cha Yoon Jin , Park Hyunjin , Lee Yangkyu , Noh Songmi , Lee Yong-Moon , Choi Sung-Eun , Kim Ji Min , Sung Sun Hee , Park Eunhyang
Published: May 2024

Platinum-based chemotherapy is the cornerstone treatment for female high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), but choosing an appropriate treatment for patients hinges on their responsiveness to it. Currently, no available biomarkers can promptly predict responses to platinum-based treatment. Therefore, we developed the Pathologic Risk Classifier for HGSOC (PathoRiCH), a histopathologic image–based classifier. PathoRiCH was trained on an in-house cohort (n = 394) and validated on two independent external cohorts (n = 284 and n = 136). The PathoRiCH-predicted favorable and poor response groups show significantly different platinum-free intervals in all three cohorts. Combining PathoRiCH with molecular biomarkers provides an even more powerful tool for the risk stratification of patients. The decisions of PathoRiCH are explained through visualization and a transcriptomic analysis, which bolster the reliability of our model’s decisions. PathoRiCH exhibits better predictive performance than current molecular biomarkers. PathoRiCH will provide a solid foundation for developing an innovative tool to transform the current diagnostic pipeline for HGSOC.
Imaging and structure analysis of ferroelectric domains, domain walls, and vortices by scanning electron diffraction
Authors: Ludacka Ursula , He Jiali , Qin Shuyu , Zahn Manuel , Christiansen Emil Frang , Hunnestad Kasper A. , Zhang Xinqiao , Yan Zewu , Bourret Edith , Kézsmárki István , van Helvoort Antonius T. J. , Agar Joshua , Meier Dennis
Published: May 2024

Direct electron detectors in scanning transmission electron microscopy give unprecedented possibilities for structure analysis at the nanoscale. In electronic and quantum materials, this new capability gives access to, for example, emergent chiral structures and symmetry-breaking distortions that underpin functional properties. Quantifying nanoscale structural features with statistical significance, however, is complicated by the subtleties of dynamic diffraction and coexisting contrast mechanisms, which often results in a low signal-to-noise ratio and the superposition of multiple signals that are challenging to deconvolute. Here we apply scanning electron diffraction to explore local polar distortions in the uniaxial ferroelectric Er(Mn,Ti)O3. Using a custom-designed convolutional autoencoder with bespoke regularization, we demonstrate that subtle variations in the scattering signatures of ferroelectric domains, domain walls, and vortex textures can readily be disentangled with statistical significance and separated from extrinsic contributions due to, e.g., variations in specimen thickness or bending. The work demonstrates a pathway to quantitatively measure symmetry-breaking distortions across large areas, mapping structural changes at interfaces and topological structures with nanoscale spatial resolution.
Microstructure predicts non-motor outcomes following deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Loehrer Philipp A. , Bopp Miriam H. A. , Dafsari Haidar S. , Seltenreich Sieglinde , Knake Susanne , Nimsky Christopher , Timmermann Lars , Pedrosa David J. , Belke Marcus
Published: May 2024

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) effectively treats motor and non-motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). As considerable interindividual variability of outcomes exists, neuroimaging-based biomarkers, including microstructural metrics, have been proposed to anticipate treatment response. In this prospective open-label study, we sought to detect microstructural properties of brain areas associated with short-term non-motor outcomes following STN-DBS. Thirty-seven PD patients underwent diffusion MRI and clinical assessments at preoperative baseline and 6-month follow-up. Whole brain voxel-wise analysis assessed associations between microstructural metrics and non-motor outcomes. Intact microstructure within specific areas, including the right insular cortex, right putamen, right cingulum, and bilateral corticospinal tract were associated with greater postoperative improvement of non-motor symptom burden. Furthermore, microstructural properties of distinct brain regions were associated with postoperative changes in sleep, attention/memory, urinary symptoms, and apathy. In conclusion, diffusion MRI could support preoperative patient counselling by identifying patients with above- or below-average non-motor responses.
Characterization of spring and durum wheat using non-destructive synchrotron phase contrast X-ray microtomography during storage
Authors: Indore Navanth S. , Karunakaran Chithra , Jayas Digvir S. , Stobbs Jarvis , Vu Miranda , Tu Kaiyang , Marinos Omar
Published: May 2024

Post-harvest losses during cereal grain storage are a big concern in both developing and developed countries, where spring and durum wheat are staple food grains. Varieties under these classes behave differently under storage, which affects their end storage life. High resolution imaging data of dry as well as spoiled seed are not available for any class of wheat; therefore, an attempt was made to generate 3D data for better understanding of seed structure and changes due to spoilage. Six wheat varieties (3 varieties for each class of wheat) were stored for 5 week at 17% moisture content (wb) before scanning. Seeds were also stored in a freezer (-18 °C) for further scanning to determine if any changes occur in the structure of seeds due to freezing. Spring varieties of wheat performed better than durum varieties and freezing did not affect seed structure. Data could also help plant breeders to develop varieties that do not easily spoil, adjust grain processing techniques, and develop post-harvest recommendations for other wheat varieties.