bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological Effects of Paeonia lactiflora Focusing on Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Wiegand Vanessa , Gao Ying , Teusch Nicole
Published: October 2024

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a highly prevalent complication in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. Given the inadequate pain-relieving effect of current therapies for PDN, there is a high unmet medical need for specialized therapeutic options. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), various herbal formulations have been implemented for centuries to relieve pain, and one commonly used plant in this context is Paeonia lactiflora (P. lactiflora). Here, we summarize the chemical constituents of P. lactiflora including their pharmacological mechanisms-of-action and discuss potential benefits for the treatment of PDN. For this, in silico data, as well as preclinical and clinical studies, were critically reviewed and comprehensively compiled. Our findings reveal that P. lactiflora and its individual constituents exhibit a variety of pharmacological properties relevant for PDN, including antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant, and antiapoptotic activities. Through this multifaceted and complex combination of various pharmacological effects, relevant hallmarks of PDN are specifically addressed, suggesting that P. lactiflora may represent a promising source for novel therapeutic approaches for PDN.
Ear Correction of Newborn Ear Deformity
Authors: Zhorov Iris , Goldstein Melissa , Carniol Eric
Published: October 2024

Otoplasty has been described for nearly 200 years for children and adults. Although auricular deformity has been recognized in newborns, treatment options were lacking. With the development of ear molding techniques, newborn ear deformities can now be corrected nonsurgically. However, these techniques have distinct limitations with much dependent on the age of initiation of treatment and deformities present. Awareness of these early interventions is therefore crucial to initiate treatment in the early developmental period when the ear is still malleable. During the first few weeks of life, the ears are malleable, and the ears are rapidly growing, relatively. Therefore, the neonatal period provides a unique opportunity to contour the ears properly. Different techniques have been developed. However, the premise is that the ears are stabilized in a favorable contour continuously for several weeks to hold into proper position. This procedure carries minimal risk and can be quite efficacious, preventing a child from needing surgery later in life.
Intensity and enjoyment of play-based HIIT in children and
adolescents with obesity
Authors: Simonsen MortenBilde , Eggertsen CharlotteNørkjær , Pedersen JeppeBech , Christiansen Stine , Vestergaard EsbenThyssen , Hagstrøm Søren , Larsen Ryan Godsk
Published: October 2024

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been suggested as an effective
treatment approach of childhood obesity. The objective of the present study was
to examine intensity, enjoyment, and perceived exertion of a 4x4-minute
play-based HIIT program for children and adolescents with obesity. 83
participants (42.2% girls, 12.3±1.5 years, 57.8% boys, 12.0±1.6 years) completed
a 12-week intervention comprising three weekly sessions. After nine sessions
(weeks 2, 6, and 11), participants rated perceived exertion (RPE) with a Borg
scale and enjoyment of activities using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale
(PACES). Heart rate (HR) was recorded to assess time spent in high- and
moderate-intensity. Participants spent more time in high-intensity during
strength-based (P=0.004) and running-based (P=0.007) activities compared to ball
games, and more time was spent in moderate-intensity during ball games compared
to strength-based (P=0.033) and running-based (P=0.028) activities. Overall,
boys spent more time in moderate-intensity than girls (P=0.007). Participants
rated RPE lower for ball games than for strength-based (P<0.001) and
running-based (P<0.001) activities. Boys rated running-based activities more
enjoyable than girls (P=0.021). Exercise intensity and RPE vary by activity in
HIIT for children and adolescents with obesity. Ball games led to less
high-intensity time and were seen as less exhausting. No differences in RPE or
enjoyment were found over time.
Wearable variable-emittance devices—The future of dynamic personal thermoregulation
Authors: Chen Ting-Hsuan , Hsu Po-Chun
Published: October 2024

Using infrared electrochromism as the strategy to combat the fluctuation of environmental conditions, wearable variable-emittance (WeaVE) devices are able to integrate the functionality of personal thermoregulation and closed-loop control into the future textile, featuring its large tunable range, ultra-low energy consumption, lightweight, and wearability. Recently, this new wearable technology has evolved beyond planar electrochromic cells and is moving closer to woven textiles. To further improve electrochromic performance and wearability, comprehensive progress is necessary from materials science to fabrication techniques. In this Perspective, we elaborate on the mechanisms behind electrochemically active WeaVE devices, analyze how dynamic and fundamental studies may improve the electrochromic performance, and explore the possibility of incorporating nanophotonic designs in the development of this future smart textile through research.
The effect of magnetic nanofilm morphology on spintronic terahertz emission performance
Authors: Ren Zejun , Liu Shaojie , Dai Mingcong , Wang Jiaqi , Yang Zehao , Zhang Mingxuan , Chen Xinxiong , Cui Songbo , Chen Peilin , Yu Zhaofeng , Wu Xiaojun
Published: October 2024

Femtosecond laser-driven spintronic terahertz (THz) emitters based on magnetic nanofilms are poised to be the next-generation mainstream THz radiation devices due to their low cost, high performance, ultra-broadband, and easy integration. The radiation performance of spintronic THz emitters is related to the material characteristics, heterostructure interfaces, pump laser, and magnetic field intensity. Additionally, the THz emission performance is greatly reliant on the material surface morphology. Here, we employed ultrafast THz scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy with nanoscale spatial resolution to obtain the static THz scattering nano-imaging of ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic heterostructures (W/Co20Fe60B20/IrMn3). We established the relationship between surface morphology and THz scattering intensity. Utilizing laser-induced THz emission technology, we achieve injection and detection of nanoscale ultrafast spin current without the external magnetic field. The strong consistency of the THz emission nanoscopy with the atomic force microscopy topography demonstrates that the sample surface morphology is critical to the THz radiation performance. This study serves as a valuable reference for the further optimization of spintronic THz emitters and promotes the development of high-performance, strong-field spintronic THz sources.
SPATEs promote the survival of
Shigella
to the plasma complement system upon local hemorrhage and bacteremia
Authors: Debande Lorine , Sabbah Ahmad , Kuhn Lauriane , Ngondo Richard Patryk , Maucotel Julie , Valente-Barroso Marina , André Antonin C. , Roche Béatrice , Laborde Matthieu , Cantalapiedra-Mateo Maria-Victoria , Thahouly Tamou , Milinski Ana , Bianchetti Laurent , Allmang Christine , Frugier Magali , Marteyn Benoit S
Published: October 2024

Shigella
spp. are the causative agents of shigellosis, which remains a leading cause of death in children under the age of 5. Symptoms of shigellosis include bloody diarrhea, associated to colon hemorrhage; in more severe cases
, Shigella
bacteremia is induced. These clinical features indicate that
Shigella
are exposed and survive exposure to plasma, locally and systemically, although this has not yet been studied at a molecular level. In this report, we confirmed in a guinea pig model of shigellosis that both
S. flexneri
5a and
S. sonnei
induced local hemorrhages and we demonstrated that
Shigella
reached CD31+/CD34+ blood vessels located in the mucosa during the late stages of infection, and further disseminated in the bloodstream. These results confirmed the exposure of
Shigella
to plasma components during its virulence cycle. We demonstrated that all the tested
Shigella
strains survived plasma exposure in vitro, and we showed that Serine Protease Autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) contribute to
Shigella
dissemination within the colonic mucosa and in the bloodstream. We have confirmed that SPATEs are expressed and secreted in poorly oxygenated environments encountered by
Shigella
during late infection stages. We further demonstrated that SPATEs promoted
Shigella
survival in plasma, by cleaving complement component 3 (C3), thereby impairing the complement system activation. We have shown here that the ability of
Shigella
to survive plasma exposure is a key factor in its virulence, both within primary foci and systemically.
Characterization of RNA editing and gene therapy with a compact CRISPR-Cas13 in the retina
Authors: Kumar Satheesh , Hsiao Yi-Wen , Wong Vickie H. Y. , Aubin Deborah , Wang Jiang-Hui , Lisowski Leszek , Rakoczy Elizabeth P. , Li Fan , Alarcon-Martinez Luis , Gonzalez-Cordero Anai , Bui Bang V. , Liu Guei-Sheung
Published: October 2024

CRISPR-Cas13 nucleases are programmable RNA-targeting effectors that can silence gene expression in a transient manner. Recent iterations of Cas13 nucleases are compact for adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery to achieve strong and persistent expression of various organs in a safe manner. Here, we report significant transcriptomic signatures of Cas13bt3 expression in retinal cells and show all-in-one AAV gene therapy with Cas13bt3 can effectively silence
VEGFA
mRNA in human retinal organoids and humanized
VEGF
transgenic mouse (trVEGF029, Kimba) models. Specifically, human embryonic stem cells (hESC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium cells show high expression of Cas13bt3 from virus delivery corresponding to a significant reduction of
VEGFA
mRNA. We further show that intravitreal delivery of Cas13bt3 by AAV2.7m8 can efficiently transduce mouse retinal cells for specific knockdown of human
VEGFA
in the Kimba mouse. Our results reveal important considerations for assessing Cas13 activity, and establish the Cas13bt3 RNA editing system as a potential anti-VEGF agent that can achieve significant control of VEGFA for the treatment of retinal neovascularization.
A comprehensive transcriptome characterization of individual nuclear receptor pathways in the human small intestine
Authors: Willemsen Sam , Yengej Fjodor A. Yousef , Puschhof Jens , Rookmaaker Maarten B. , Verhaar Marianne C. , van Es Johan , Beumer Joep , Clevers Hans
Published: October 2024

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are widely expressed transcription factors that bind small, lipophilic compounds and regulate diverse biological processes. In the small intestine, NRs are known to act as sensors that control transcriptional responses to endogenous and exogenous signals, yet their downstream effects have not been characterized extensively. Here, we investigate the activation of six different NRs individually in human intestinal organoids using small molecules agonists. We observe changes in key enterocyte functions such as lipid, glucose, and amino acid absorption, the regulation of electrolyte balance, and drug metabolism. Our findings reinforce PXR, LXR, FXR, and PPARα as regulators of lipid absorption. Furthermore, known hepatic effects of AHR and VDR activation were recapitulated in the human small intestine. Finally, we identify unique target genes for intestinal PXR activation (ERG28, TMEM97, and TM7SF2), LXR activation (RAB6B), and VDR activation (CA12). This study provides an unbiased and comprehensive transcriptomic description of individual NR pathways in the human small intestine. By gaining a deeper understanding of the effects of individual NRs, we might better harness their pharmacological and therapeutic potential.
The conformational landscape of fold-switcher KaiB is tuned to the circadian rhythm timescale
Authors: Wayment-Steele Hannah K. , Otten Renee , Pitsawong Warintra , Ojoawo Adedolapo M. , Glaser Andrew , Calderone Logan A. , Kern Dorothee
Published: October 2024

How can a single protein domain encode a conformational landscape with multiple stably folded states, and how do those states interconvert? Here, we use real-time and relaxation-dispersion NMR to characterize the conformational landscape of the circadian rhythm protein KaiB from
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
. Unique among known natural metamorphic proteins, this KaiB variant spontaneously interconverts between two monomeric states: the “Ground” and “Fold-switched” (FS) states. KaiB in its FS state interacts with multiple binding partners, including the central KaiC protein, to regulate circadian rhythms. We find that KaiB itself takes hours to interconvert between the Ground and FS state, underscoring the ability of a single-sequence to encode the slow process needed for function. We reveal the rate-limiting step between the Ground and FS state is the
cis–trans
isomerization of three prolines in the fold-switching region by demonstrating interconversion acceleration by the prolyl isomerase Cyclophilin A. The interconversion proceeds through a “partially disordered” (PD) state, where the C-terminal half becomes disordered while the N-terminal half remains stably folded. We found two additional properties of KaiB’s landscape. First, the Ground state experiences cold denaturation: At 4 °C, the PD state becomes the majorly populated state. Second, the Ground state exchanges with a fourth state, the “Enigma” state, on the millisecond-timescale. We combine AlphaFold2-based predictions and NMR chemical shift predictions to predict this Enigma state is a beta-strand register shift that relieves buried charged residues, and support this structure experimentally. These results provide mechanistic insight into how evolution can design a single-sequence that achieves specific timing needed for its function.
Genome-wide profiling of soybean WRINKLED1 transcription factor binding sites provides insight into seed storage lipid biosynthesis
Authors: Jo Leonardo , Pelletier Julie M. , Goldberg Robert B. , Harada John J.
Published: October 2024

Understanding the regulatory mechanisms controlling storage lipid accumulation will inform strategies to enhance seed oil quality and quantity in crop plants. The WRINKLED1 transcription factor (WRI1 TF) is a central regulator of lipid biosynthesis. We characterized the genome-wide binding profile of soybean (Gm)WRI1 and show that the TF directly regulates genes encoding numerous enzymes and proteins in the fatty acid and triacylglycerol biosynthetic pathways. GmWRI1 binds primarily to regions downstream of target gene transcription start sites. We showed that GmWRI1-bound regions are enriched for the canonical WRI1 DNA binding element, the ACTIVATOR of Spomin::LUC1/WRI1 (AW) Box (CNTNGNNNNNNNCG), and another DNA motif, the CNC Box (CNCCNCC). Functional assays showed that both DNA elements mediate transcriptional activation by GmWRI1. We also show that GmWRI1 works in concert with other TFs to establish a regulatory state that promotes fatty acid and triacylglycerol biosynthesis. In particular, comparison of genes targeted directly by GmWRI1 and by GmLEC1, a central regulator of the maturation phase of seed development, reveals that the two TFs act in a positive feedback subcircuit to control fatty acid and triacylglycerol biosynthesis. Together, our results provide unique insights into the genetic circuitry in which GmWRI1 participates to regulate storage lipid accumulation during seed development.
Robust extraction of pneumonia-associated clinical states from electronic health records
Authors: Xu Feihong , Morales Félix L. , Amaral Luís A. Nunes
Published: October 2024

Mining of electronic health records (EHR) promises to automate the identification of comprehensive disease phenotypes. However, the realization of this promise is hindered by the unavailability of generalizable ground-truth information, data incompleteness and heterogeneity, and the lack of generalization to multiple cohorts. We present here a data-driven approach to identify clinical states that we implement for 585 critical care patients with suspected pneumonia recruited by the SCRIPT study, which we compare to and integrate with 9,918 pneumonia patients from the MIMIC-IV dataset. We extract and curate from their structured EHRs a primary set of clinical features (53 and 59 features for SCRIPT and MIMIC-IV, respectively), including disease severity scores, vital signs, and so on, at various degrees of completeness. We aggregate irregular time series into daily frequency, resulting in 12,495 and 94,684 patient-day pairs for SCRIPT and MIMIC, respectively. We define a “common-sense” ground truth that we then use in a semisupervised pipeline to optimize choices for data preprocessing, and reduce the feature space to four principal components. We describe and validate an ensemble-based clustering method that enables us to robustly identify five clinical states, and use a Gaussian mixture model to quantify uncertainty in cluster assignment. Demonstrating the clinical relevance of the identified states, we find that three states are strongly associated with disease outcomes (dying vs. recovering), while the other two reflect disease etiology. The outcome associated clinical states provide significantly increased discrimination of mortality rates over standard approaches.
Strong-lensing cosmography using third-generation gravitational-wave detectors
Authors: Jana Souvik , J Kapadia Shasvath , Venumadhav Tejaswi , More Surhud , Ajith Parameswaran
Published: October 2024

We present a detailed exposition of a statistical method for estimating cosmological parameters from the observation of a large number of strongly lensed binary-black-hole (BBH) mergers observable by next (third) generation (XG) gravitational-wave (GW) detectors. This method, first presented in Jana (2023Phys. Rev. Lett.130261401), compares the observed number of strongly lensed GW events and their time delay distribution (between lensed images) with observed events to infer cosmological parameters. We show that the precision of the estimation of the cosmological parameters does not have a strong dependance on the assumed BBH redshift distribution model. Using the large number of unlensed mergers, XG detectors are expected to measure the BBH redshift distribution with sufficient precision for the cosmological inference. However, a biased inference of the BBH redshift distribution will bias the estimation of cosmological parameters. An incorrect model for the distribution of lens properties can also lead to a biased cosmological inference. However, Bayesian model selection can assist in selecting the right model from a set of available parametric models for the lens distribution. We also present a way to incorporate the effect of contamination in the data due to the limited efficiency of lensing identification methods, so that it will not bias the cosmological inference.
Ab initio calculations of second-, third-, and fourth-order partial and inner elastic constants of diamond
Authors: Zhou Zhukun , Chen Tangyan , Liu Yangzhou , Wang Hao , Li Mo
Published: October 2024

By means of ab initio calculations, a unified framework is presented to investigate the effect of internal displacement on the linear and nonlinear elasticity of single diamond crystals. The calculated linear and nonlinear elastic constants, internal strain tensor and internal displacement in single diamond crystals are compatible with the available experimental data and other theoretical calculations. The complete set of second-, third- and fourth-order elastic constants and internal strain tensor not only offer a better insight into the nonlinear and anisotropic elasticity behaviors, but also shows us the basic internal mechanical response of diamond. This study provides a route to calculate the nonlinear internal and external elasticity response in a nonprimitive lattice.
Application of active piezoresistive cantilevers in high-eigenmode surface imaging
Authors: Pruchnik Bartosz , Badura Dominik , Kopczyński Władysław , Czułek Dariusz , Rangelow Ivo W , Korpelainen Virpi , Sierakowski Andrzej , Yacoot Andrew , Gotszalk Teodor
Published: October 2024

One of the most important limitations of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) is scanning speed, whose high values are required for contemporary high-resolution, long-range diagnostic applications. The measurement bandwidth of an AFM depends on several factors, but usually results from the time constant of the oscillating cantilever, which is correlated with its resonance frequency and quality factor. We propose a method to overcome this problem by performing the surface measurements when the cantilever is vibrating in higher eigenmodes. In this paper we demonstrate the application of active piezoresistive cantilevers operating in this mode. The active piezoresistive cantilever comprises a piezoresistive deflection sensor, a deflection actuator and a nanotip. It is a complete micro-electro-mechanical system, ensuring the highest reliability of cantilever vibration control and detection. Higher eigenmode operations are usually difficult to implement as they usually result in lower deflection and lower sensitivity of the probe vibration deflection. Here we present an experimental modification of the structure of an active piezoresistive cantilever using focused ion beam machining that mitigates both weaknesses. This has enabled the cantilever to scan the surface at a scanning rate of 10 lines s−1 with a maximum speed of 500 μm s−1 and a data acquisition rate of 10 kS s−1, when the probe is vibrating at 380 kHz in the second eigenmode. We also describe a traceable calibration routine (based on analysis of the response of the piezoresistive detector, the output of the HeNe interferometer and precise control of the deflection actuator), together with the cantilever modification process and the development of the measurement setup. We show measurement results of dedicated calibration samples and silicon carbide crystal lattice references.
Assessment of a space and energy resolved diagnostic based on GEM technology on MAST-U
Authors: Celora A , Caruggi F , Putignano O , Cancelli S , Claps G , Cordella F , Garzotti L , Gorini G , Grosso G , Guiotto F , Lazzaro E , Nocente M , Pacella D , Perelli Cippo E , Rigamonti D , Rose E , Sarwar R , Scannell R , Scioscioli F , Tardocchi M , Croci G , Muraro A
Published: October 2024

A gas electron multiplier (GEM)-based detector was utilized for the first time on a spherical tokamak, MAST-U, during the 2023 campaign to investigate soft x-ray (SXR) radiation (1–20 keV) emitted from the plasma. GEM detectors, chosen for their resilience to harsh fusion environments and their ability to provide energy-resolved (

E

r
e
s

∼
25
%

at 8 keV) SXR emission images (with a spatial resolution of few centimeters) with sub-millisecond time resolution, are a relatively new diagnostic compared to standard semiconductor diodes. In this study, the GEM detector features a pinhole geometry outside the vacuum chamber and observes the plasma through a beryllium window. Filled with an ArCO2 mixture, the detector consists of an Aluminized Mylar cathode, three Aluminum-coated GEM foils, and an anode made of a 16 × 16 matrix of 6 mm2 pads for 2D readout. It employs custom GEMINI ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) for signal readout, enabling single photon-counting techniques with Time over Threshold analysis on each detector channel, for a maximum rate of 1 MHz per channel. Preliminary results from the 2023 campaign highlight the GEM detector’s ability to complement existing SXR camera systems by adding energy-resolved information to the spatial and temporal data. Case studies demonstrate the detector’s capability to capture Magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, such as Snake instabilities, while utilizing its energy-resolved measurements to analyze plasma events, including Internal Reconnection Events. Additionally, the GEM detector enables the estimation of Electron Temperature in Maxwellian plasmas from SXR measurements. These findings underscore the potential of the GEM-based diagnostic system to enhance the understanding of tokamak plasmas by providing simultaneous spatial, temporal, and energy-resolved insights.
Geometric feature extraction and its profile accuracy evaluation for pockets on curved aircraft skin from scanned point clouds
Authors: Bu Huahai , Huang Nuodi , Huang Jie , Liu Gang , Wang Yuhan , Zhu Limin
Published: October 2024

Dimension inspection is crucial for aircraft skin manufacturing and assembly. To meet weight loss and other functional requirements, large numbers of shallow pockets are distributed on the surface of thin-walled aircraft skin. It is difficult to evaluate the profile accuracy of the pockets, as the aircraft skin is composed of curved surfaces and its actual geometry is inconsistent with the nominal model. This study proposes a method to evaluate the profile and position accuracy for the pockets on aircraft skin utilizing point clouds obtained by 3D scanners. Firstly, the feature contour lines are identified and extracted from the scanned aircraft skin surface point clouds by adopting the local curvature-aware method and minimum bounding rectangle algorithm. Then, an algorithm is proposed to mitigate the contour identification deviations of the segmented area by employing the shortest geodesic distance and transition zone section projection, so as to enhance the measurement accuracy. Finally, the viability of the proposed method for evaluating pockets on aircraft skin is verified by the simulation, and the reliability and robustness of the proposed method are verified by the simulation and experiment. Experimental results show that the measurement accuracy of the pocket can be improved from 0.5 mm to 0.0505 mm, compared with traditional specialized conformation fixture methods.
High-precision automated processing of sequential images for high-speed videogrammetric measurement
Authors: Liu Xianglei , Zhang Yuqi , Yao Yuan , Li Shenglong , Chen Yuxin , Wang Runjie
Published: October 2024

High-speed videogrammetric measurement is widely used in fields of structural health monitoring. However, it is difficult to perform efficient and accurate automation for the copious sequential images data. This paper proposes a novel high-precision automated sequential images processing method for high-speed videogrammetric measurement. First, a precision circular marker detection network model is proposed to detect circular marker, which can effectively address recognition challenges associated with small, dense, and deformed markers in complex scenarios with a precision of 99.37 and recall of 98.86. Second, a circular center tracker, utilizing Kalman filtering and the Hungarian matching algorithm, is presented to achieve highly automated sub-pixel tracking of marker centers with an root mean square error of 0.092 pixel. At last, a global confidence optimization matching strategy is put forward to attain precise automated stereo images matching with an accuracy of 94.48%. The results show that the proposed method can significantly advance the intelligence of high-speed videogrammetric measurement.
Experimental activities about heat conduction in metals
Authors: Valkanou Eleni–Maria , Starakis Ioannis , Zoupidis Anastasios
Published: October 2024

In this paper we describe two experimental activities regarding heat conduction in metals. The activities were designed according to the Predict-Observe-Explain strategy and are appropriate for primary and secondary school students. The aim is for the students to find out that heat is conducted at the same rate in all directions, regardless of the height difference from the heating point. The alternative idea attempted to be confronted through the aforementioned activities is that heat is considered a substance with fluid’s properties.
Tunable phonon–photon coupling induces double magnomechanically induced transparency and enhances slow light in an atom-opto-magnomechanical system
Authors: Amghar M′bark , Chabar Noura , Amazioug Mohamed
Published: October 2024

We theoretically investigate the magnomechanically induced transparency phenomenon, Fano resonance and the slow–fast light effect in the situation where an atomic ensemble is placed inside the hybrid cavity of an opto-magnomechanical system. The system is driven by dual optical and phononic drives. We show double magnomechanically induced transparency in the probe output spectrum by exploiting the phonon–photon coupling strength. Then, we study the effects of the decay rate of the cavity and the atomic ensemble on magnomechanically induced transparency. In addition, we demonstrate that effective detuning of the cavity field frequency changes the transparency window from a symmetrical to an asymmetrical profile, resembling Fano resonances. Further, the fast and slow light effects in the system are explored. We show that the slow light profile is enhanced by adjusting the phonon–photon coupling strength. This result may have potential applications in quantum information processing and communication.
Polarization pinning at antiphase boundaries in multiferroic YbFeO3
Authors: Ren Guodong , Omprakash Pravan , Li Xin , Yun Yu , Thind Arashdeep S. , Xu Xiaoshan , Mishra Rohan
Published: October 2024

The switching characteristics of ferroelectrics and multiferroics are influenced by the interaction of topological defects with domain walls. We report on the pinning of polarization due to antiphase boundaries in thin films of the multiferroic hexagonal YbFeO3. We have directly resolved the atomic structure of a sharp antiphase boundary (APB) in YbFeO3 thin films using a combination of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and total energy calculations based on density-functional theory (DFT). We find the presence of a layer of FeO6 octahedra at the APB that bridges the adjacent domains. STEM imaging shows a reversal in the direction of polarization on moving across the APB, which DFT calculations confirm is structural in nature as the polarization reversal reduces the distortion of the FeO6 octahedral layer at the APB. Such APBs in hexagonal perovskites are expected to serve as domain-wall pinning sites and hinder ferroelectric switching of the domains.
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in generative diffusion models*
Authors: Raya Gabriel , Ambrogioni Luca
Published: October 2024

Generative diffusion models have recently emerged as a leading approach for generating high-dimensional data. In this paper, we show that the dynamics of these models exhibit a spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomenon that divides the generative dynamics into two distinct phases: (1) a linear steady-state dynamics around a central fixed-point and, (2) an attractor dynamics directed towards the data manifold. These two ‘phases’ are separated by the change in stability of the central fixed-point, with the resulting window of instability being responsible for the diversity of the generated samples. Using both theoretical and empirical evidence, we show that an accurate simulation of the early dynamics does not significantly contribute to the final generation, since early fluctuations are reverted to the central fixed point. To leverage this insight, we propose a Gaussian late initialization scheme, which significantly improves model performance, achieving up to 3× Fréchet inception distance improvements on fast samplers, while also increasing sample diversity (e.g. racial composition of generated CelebA images). Our work offers a new way to understand the generative dynamics of diffusion models that has the potential to bring about higher performance and less biased fast-samplers.
MSRR-T2I: Multi-Scale Reverse Residual for Text-to-Image
Authors: Wu Haowen , Wang Peng , Li Xiaoyan , Sun Bo , Sun Mengyu , Li Liangliang , Di Ruohai
Published: October 2024

Text-generated image is a very challenging task in the artificial intelligence and machine learning. To address the problems of low quality and no-diversity in images generated by conventional text-generated approaches, a multi-scale reverse residual text-generated image network (MSRR-T2I) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the multi-scale residuals inverse structure is embedded into the fine image generation module to resolve the issue of loss of feature information when original residuals are reduced. Then, the information content of the feature map is extended, and the features of different resolutions are captured by multi-scale convolution. Finally, channel transformation technology is introduced to achieve cross-group information fusion and enhance image diversity. The test results of common CUB and COCO data sets indicate that compared with the original model ATTNGAN, the IS of MSRR-T2I increases by 8.7% and 8.4%, and the FID increases by 24.8% and 17.0%, respectively. Therefore, the proposed method is confirmed to be effective.
Transmission Coil Group Shaping for Wireless Magnetic Induction MISO Communication System
Authors: Lu Xinhang , Chen Chen , Ge Jiahao , Wang Peng , Zhang Yufang , Wang Bin , Li Xiaoyan , Xu Yuntao
Published: October 2024

Magnetic induction communication is a technology that utilizes magnetic field variations to transmit information. Compared to traditional electromagnetic wave communication, magnetic induction communication performs excellently in environments where electromagnetic waves are difficult to propagate, such as underwater and in soil. However, the current transmission rate of magnetic induction communication is relatively low. The magnetic induction MISO communication system addresses the issue of low transmission rates in cross-medium communication. However, it overlooks the impact of the transmission coil group arrangement on transmission rates. This paper investigates the effect of the transmission coil group arrangement on communication performance and proposes an arc-shaped magnetic induction MISO communication system. The transmission rate performance is analyzed, and the impact of the angle between the transmitting and receiving coils on the reception rate is studied. An expression for the channel gain increment is provided, along with its variation trend with the angle. When the position of the receiving coil is fixed, the expression yields the maximum increment of the shaped channel gain. Simulation results demonstrate that the data transmission rate of the shaped system is approximately 10% higher than that of the unshaped system.
Effect of exclusive enteral nutrition on gut microbiota in Malaysian children with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Wetthasinghe Linah , Fuh Ng Hien , Seang Chew Kee , Seah Lee Way
Published: October 2024

Paediatric Crohn’s disease (pCD), once primarily observed in Western countries, is now experiencing a global increase in incidence rates. Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, are now witnessing a gradual increase in incidence of pCD. In addition to clinical symptoms, children with Crohn’s disease (CD) also have mental and emotional impairments. Children with CD experience gut microbiota dysbiosis. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is the recommended first line treatment for mild-to-moderate pCD due to its multifaceted disease-modulating effects, including positive re-modulation of the diseased gut microbiota. However, there exists a critical knowledge gap regarding the understanding of gut microbiota dynamics in individuals with CD treated with EEN, particularly in Southeast Asian regions like Malaysia. This study aimed to fill this void by investigating the gut microbiota profile of Malaysian children with CD, making it the first of its kind in Malaysia. Using targeted 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) next-generation sequencing, the study identified a microbiota profile dominated by Fusobacterium nucleatum, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Fusobacterium mortiferum, Acidaminococcus, and Monoglobus among patients with pCD, with the latter three being newly identified in relation to pCD. Following successful EEN treatment, enrichment was observed in bacterial groups such as Lachnoclostridium, Parabacteroides, and Eubacterium fissicatena group. The groups of Clostridium sensu stricto 13 subterminale, Acetivibrio ethanolgignens group, and Robinsoniella peoriensis, which have not been previously associated with pCD, were also found to be increased following EEN treatment. While some similarities with previous literature were noted, Malaysians with pCD treated with EEN exhibited several novel bacterial groups associated both during disease and treatment. This study sheds light on the interplay between gut microbiota and pCD pathology, emphasising the versatility of nutritional therapy approaches in diverse populations. Further research in this area holds promise for refining treatment strategies and improving outcomes for pCD individuals, not only in Malaysia but globally.
Combating Illegal Trade of Monitor Lizards (Varanus spp) in Malaysia through DNA Barcoding Applications
Authors: Hartini Sariyati Nur , Ngadi Ehwan
Published: October 2024

Varanids, known as monitor lizards are traded as pet animal commodities and demand for skin trade especially in Southeast Asian countries. Given the significant demand in the international trade, accurate species identification is imperative for Varanids particularly endangered species to prevent misidentification and fraud in marketplaces as Varanids species exhibit morphological similarities. Therefore, advanced molecular technique is vital to facilitate accurate species identification especially for closely related species. Besides, few research have used cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) to track the genetic and phylogenetic analysis of Varanids. In this study, the COI mitochondrial DNA region was tested as a molecular marker for species identification of Malaysia monitor lizards using the DNA barcode. Two species were successfully identified from eight samples from Pantai Penyabong, Mersing, Johor which are V. salvator and V. nebulosus based on phylogenetic analysis (Neighbor-Joining, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Tree). This study showed that by using their relative genetic divergence and evolutionary links, DNA barcodes can aid in the species identification through molecular technique. Short sequences can be used to identify closely related species, and the possibility of species misidentification among the study’s samples should be taken into account. DNA barcoding techniques should be widely practised especially in wildlife forensics to facilitate precise wildlife identification and improve the efficiencies in combatting illegal wildlife trade in Malaysia.
Comparison of Virulence and Quorum Sensing Gene Expression between Planktonic and Biofilm Cells of Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Jie Chay Min , Fong Ngeow Yun , Han Kiat Ong Alan
Published: October 2024

Legionella pneumophila is a waterborne bacterium that has a life cycle consisting of a transmissive phase in which free-living cells spread in the external environment, and a replicative phase with cells multiplying within biofilms. The transition from one phase to another is regulated by the bacterium’s quorum sensing system. As this system also regulates virulence, laboratory cultures of L. pneumophila were used to compare the different expressions of virulence and quorum sensing genes in planktonic and biofilm cells using RT-qPCR assays. The results showed a down regulation of the icmK gene in biofilm cells but only insignificant differences in the expression of 10 other genes associated with filamentation, conjugation, adherence and motility. The two quorum sensing genes examined, lpg1057 and lpg2731, differed in their expression profiles in planktonic and biofilm cells. While their expression in planktonic cells increased from day 10 until day 15 of incubation, their expression in biofilm cells steadily declined after 10 days of incubation. This decrease in quorum sensing gene expression was shown to be associated with a decrease in cell density in the biofilm, thus suggesting that the trigger for the transition from the replicative phase to the transmissive phase is likely to be nutrient depletion in the biofilm.
The equivariant Lazard ring of primary cyclic groups
Authors: Hu P.
Published: October 2024

This paper calculates the equivariant Lazard ring for primary cyclic groups, in terms of explicit generators and defining relations. This ring is known to coincide with the coefficient ring of the equivariant stable complex cobordism spectrum, which I compute by the method of isotropy separation, using a “staircase diagram.” This calculation provides new tools for constructing equivariant spectra.
EB-SUN, a new microtubule plus-end tracking protein in Drosophila
Authors: Kim Sun K. , Rogers Stephen L. , Lu Wen , Lee Brad S. , Gelfand Vladimir I.
Published: October 2024

Microtubule (MT) regulation is essential for oocyte development. In Drosophila, MT stability, polarity, abundance, and orientation undergo dynamic changes across developmental stages. In our effort to identify novel microtubule-associated proteins that regulate MTs in the Drosophila ovary, we identified a previously uncharacterized gene, CG18190, which encodes a novel MT end-binding (EB) protein, which we propose to name EB-SUN. We show that EB-SUN colocalizes with EB1 at growing MT plus-ends in Drosophila S2 cells. Tissue-specific and developmental expression profiles from Paralog Explorer reveal that EB-SUN is predominantly expressed in the ovary and early embryos, while EB1 is ubiquitously expressed. Furthermore, as early as oocyte determination, EB-SUN comets are highly concentrated in oocytes during oogenesis. EB-SUN knockout (KO) results in decreased MT density at the onset of mid-oogenesis (stage 7) and delays oocyte growth during late mid-oogenesis (stage 9). Combining EB-SUN KO with EB1 knockdown (KD) in germ cells significantly further reduces MT density at stage 7. Hatching assays of single protein depletion reveal distinct roles for EB-SUN and EB1 in early embryogenesis, likely due to differences in their expression and binding partners. Notably, all eggs from EB-SUN KO/EB1 KD females fail to hatch, suggesting partial redundancy between these proteins.
Arithmetic
Authors: Danesi Marcel
Published: October 2024

Alcuin’s arithmetic problems not only bring out essential properties of numbers and numerals, but also cultivate inquisitiveness about these properties. This chapter discusses the problems numbered 1, 15, 46, 49, 50, 52, and 53 in Alcuin’s Propositiones, in which arithmetic is highlighted. These stimulate fundamental arithmetical thinking, showing how it can be applied to common problems of life, such as dividing up an inheritance—a theme that was treated cleverly centuries later by the Italian mathematician Niccolò Tartaglia. Among the theoretical ideas that these problems embed are the number line and optimization. Also discussed in this chapter is the perceived relation between numeration and numerology, which was implied in several of the problems, focusing on the number 7, which has been treated numerically and mystically since antiquity, starting with the Egyptian Rhind Papyrus. Overall, Alcuin’s problems bring out that arithmetic is everywhere one looks, from figuring out how to divide money and efficient ways to plow a field to figuring out ways to transport something under limiting conditions.
Recreational Logic
Authors: Danesi Marcel
Published: October 2024

There are two problems in Alcuin’s Propositiones, numbers 11 and 14, that fall under the rubric of what today would be called recreational logic. The problems are original to Alcuin, since no earlier versions are known, and may thus be considered to be the founding ones of this puzzle genre. This chapter deals with the implications that these two problems have had not only for recreational logic, but also for studying the relationship between logic and mathematics—an area that has produced an abundance of fascinating ideas, including those by Charles Peirce, Lewis Carroll, Bertrand Russell, and Kurt Gödel, among others. Prominent in bringing out the linkage between logic and mathematical method is the ancient Liar Paradox, which has led to ideas such as the unprovability of certain propositions within systems of logic. What Alcuin seemed to be conveying by including two logic problems in his text, therefore, is that they entail fundamental mathematical thinking, at the same time that they are intellectually entertaining.
River Crossing Problems
Authors: Danesi Marcel
Published: October 2024

The four river crossing problems in Alcuin’s Propositiones—numbers 17, 18, 19, and 20—deal with the fundamental nature of combinatorics, the mathematics of combinatorial structure. They are among Alcuin’s best-known problems. This chapter deals with these problems and their offshoots, including different cultural versions and more complex ones, such as the four-couple version. It also looks at combinatorics more generally, including problems in the field such as Kirkman’s Schoolgirls Problem. River crossing problems exemplify a recurring mathematical archetype—a problem that occurs in other languages and other eras, but with the same mathematical blueprint. The problems have a certain simple logic built into them that does not require any sophisticated training to understand. This may well have been Alcuin’s goal with these problems, showing that mathematical thinking is part of the human brain, manifesting itself in various cross-cultural ways. They are examples of how innate practical knowledge is transformed into theoretical knowledge by the brain, which is at the core of how mathematicians think.
Assembly and Partitioning Problems
Authors: Danesi Marcel
Published: October 2024

Three problems in Alcuin’s Propositiones—numbers 27, 28, and 29—involve assembly and partitioning. These are discussed in this chapter, along with the theoretical implications they bear for mathematics generally. Such problems have always intrigued mathematicians, having become, as well, staples of recreational mathematics, with their own subgenres, including assembly, partitioning, polyomino, tangram, and packing puzzles. Alcuin was likely aiming to impress upon his readers that three primary geometrical figures—a quadrilateral, a triangle, and a circle—constituted important figures in city design, because each type of shape can contain recurring structures within it. In a relevant article, Nikolai Yu Zolotykh actually considers these problems to be the earliest examples of packing problems in mathematics, given that they involve the placement of the figures according to an optimal pattern. As Alcuin seems to have known, assembly and partitioning problems are thought experiments that underlie how we devise plans in architecture and mathematics.