bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passivating Blunt‐Ended Helices to Control Monodispersity and Multi‐Subunit Assembly of DNA Origami Structures
Authors: Berengut Jonathan F. , Berg Willi R. , Rizzuto Felix J. , Lee Lawrence K.
Published: February 2024

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) origami enables the synthesis of bespoke nanoscale structures suitable for diverse applications. Effective design requires preventing uncontrolled aggregation, while still facilitating directed multi‐subunit assembly. Uncontrolled aggregation is often caused by base‐stacking interactions between arrays of blunt‐ended helices, a problem which is typically mitigated by incorporating disordered single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) (like scaffold loops or poly‐thymine brushes) at the end of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) helices. Such disordered regions are ubiquitous in DNA origami structures yet their optimal design requirements in various chemical environments remains unclear. This study systematically investigates scaffold loops and poly‐nucleotide brushes for aggregation prevention and control of multi‐subunit assembly, examining length, sequence, and MgCl2 concentration dependencies. Additionally, a novel strategy is introduced using orthogonal double‐stranded DNA helices to create a steric shield against base stacking. The results reveal key considerations. Poly‐thymine brushes excel in achieving monodispersity across diverse conditions whereas scaffold loops aid directed multi‐subunit assembly. Orthogonal DNA helices remove the need for disordered regions altogether, preventing aggregation over a broad range of MgCl2 concentrations and facilitating controlled multi‐subunit assembly. This study expands the toolbox for DNA origami design and enables a more informed approach for achieving control of monodispersity and multi‐subunit assembly in DNA origami structures.
Yifei Sanjie formula alleviates lung cancer progression via regulating PRMT6‐YBX1‐CDC25A axis
Authors: Tang Jie , Yin Chenyan , Chen Meiyun , Dong Mengjia , Xu Youqi
Published: February 2024

Lung cancer (LC) is the most prevalent cancer type, with a high mortality rate worldwide. The current treatment options for LC have not been particularly successful in improving patient outcomes. Yifei Sanjie (YFSJ), a well‐applicated traditional Chinese medicine formula, is widely used to treat pulmonary diseases, especially LC, yet little is known about its molecular mechanisms. This study was conducted to explore the molecular mechanism by which YFSJ ameliorated LC progression. The A549, NCI‐H1975, and Calu‐3 cells were treated with the YFSJ formula and observed for colony number, apoptosis, migration, and invasion properties recorded via corresponding assays. The PRMT6‐YBX1‐CDC25A axis was tested and verified through luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and rescue experiments. Our results demonstrated that YFSJ ameliorated LC cell malignant behaviors by increasing apoptosis and suppressing proliferation, migration, and invasion processes. We also noticed that the xenograft mouse model treated with YFSJ significantly reduced tumor growth compared with the control untreated group in vivo. Mechanistically, it was found that YFSJ suppressed the expression of PRMT6, YBX1, and CDC25A, while the knockdown of these proteins significantly inhibited colony growth, migration, and invasion, and boosted apoptosis in LC cells. In summary, our results suggest that YFSJ alleviates LC progression via the PRMT6‐YBX1‐CDC25A axis, confirming its efficacy in clinical use. The findings of our study provide a new regulatory network for LC growth and metastasis, which could shed new insights into pulmonary medical research.
Ellagic acid protects against angiotensin II‐induced hypertrophic responses through ROS‐mediated MAPK pathway in H9c2 cells
Authors: Lee Ya‐Che , Jou Yeong‐Chin , Chou Wan‐Ching , Tsai Kun‐Ling , Shen Cheng‐Huang , Lee Shin‐Da
Published: February 2024

The early myocardial response of hypertension is an elevation of angiotensin‐II (Ang‐II) concentration, leading to heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy. This hypertrophic event of the heart is mediated by the interaction of Ang type 1 receptors (AT‐R1), thereby modulating NADPH oxidase activity in cardiomyocytes, which alters redox status in cardiomyocytes. Ellagic acid (EA) has anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative capacities. Thus, EA has potential preventive effects on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In the last decades, because the protective effect of EA on Ang‐II‐induced hypertrophic responses is unclear, this study aims to investigate the protective effect of EA in cardiomyocytes. H9c2 cells were treated to Ang‐II 1 μM for 24 h to induce cellular damage. We found that EA protected against Ang‐II‐increased cell surface area and pro‐hypertrophic gene expression in H9c2. EA reduced Ang‐II‐caused AT‐R1 upregulation, thereby inhibiting oxidative stress NADPH oxidase activation. EA mitigated Ang‐II‐enhanced p38 and extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Moreover, EA treatment under Ang‐II stimulation also reversed NF‐κB activity and iNOS expression. This study shows that EA protects against Ang‐II‐induced myocardial hypertrophy and attenuates oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species‐mediated mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways in H9c2 cells. Thus, EA may be an effective compound for preventing Ang‐II‐induced myocardial hypertrophy.
Impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on lacustrine ecosystems of the Kashmir Valley, NW Himalaya, India
Authors: Shah Rayees Ahmad , Paul Omar Jaan , Dar Reyaz Ahmad , Romshoo Shakil Ahmad
Published: February 2024

Due to the significant sedimentation and anthropogenic pressures, the Kashmir Himalaya lakes (Dal, Wular, Manasbal) located within and in the vicinity of urban settlements are experiencing massive degradation. The unique climate, geographic setting, and rock degradation owing to the tectonic uplift of the area, contribute to increased sedimentation in these lakes. The sewage and other anthropogenic pressures have also increased various minerals including nitrogen influx in these lakes. Total organic carbon levels in the Dal Lake are high and range from 2.72% to 25.12%, with nitrogen levels ranging from 0.92% to 9.81%. The total organic carbon of Wular and Manasbal Lakes ranges from 0.83% to 4.52%, and 3.11% to 13.74% with nitrogen ranging from 0.06% to 0.5% and 0.20% to 1.96%, respectively. The estimated sedimentation rates for the Wular, Manasbal, and Dal Lakes are 0.125 cm/yr, 0.44 cm/yr, and 0.93 cm/yr. Given these factors and the geographic setting of Kashmir Himalaya, it is believed that under the sustained threat of climate change and anthropogenic pressure, mitigation strategies to control sedimentation and pollution are unavoidable for the long‐term survival of these valuable ecosystems. This review examines contributing factors, explores potential consequences, and proposes mitigation measures, to save these important aquatic ecosystems from further deterioration.
Gravitative Massenbewegungen und Naturgefahren der Kryosphäre
Authors: Glade Thomas
Published: February 2024

Gravitative Massenbewegungen und Naturgefahren der Kryosphäre sind auf vielfältige Faktoren zurückzuführen, deren Zusammenwirken in der Gesamtheit betrachtet werden muss. Die vorbereitenden, auslösenden und kontrollierenden Faktoren werden in unterschiedlichster Weise vom Klimawandel beeinflusst. Der Autor erläutert relevante Hintergründe, beschreibt beobachtete Trends und Projektionen zu gravitativen Massenbewegungen (Muren, Fels- und Bergstürze, Hangrutschungen), Permafrost, Gletschern und Schneelawinen sowie das Zusammenspiel der unterschiedlichen Ursachen. Er diskutiert darüber hinaus, welche der Veränderungen in der Häufigkeit oder Stärke von Naturgefahren tatsächlich ausschließlich dem Klimawandel zuzuschreiben sein könnten und welche Anteile hierbei der direkte menschliche Einfluss hat, und konstatiert, dass eine eindeutige Trennung häufig nicht vollzogen werden kann.
Analyse von Anpassungskapazitäten
Authors: Kahlenborn Walter , Reusswig Fritz , Schauser Inke
Published: February 2024

Anpassungskapazitätsbewertung ist ein methodisch anspruchsvolles Feld. Zentrale Herausforderungen sind a) die Komplexität und Vielfalt an Wirkbeziehungen und Faktoren, die eine Rolle spielen und in der Einschätzung berücksichtigt werden müssen; b) die Notwendigkeit, ohne verlässliche Trends in die Zukunft zu blicken; c) das Erfordernis, Potenziale zu bewerten statt real messbarer Tatbestände. Die bundesweite Klimawirkungs- und Risikoanalyse 2021 (KWRA 2021) präsentiert eine Weiterentwicklung bestehender Analysen, welche die Herausforderungen betreffend Komplexität, Zukünftigkeit und Potenzialcharakter über verschiedene methodische Ansätze zu reduzieren versucht. Die Analyse umfasst Betrachtungen auf sektoraler und generischer Ebene und stellt diese durch die Verwendung von sechs Anpassungsdimensionen in einen gemeinsamen methodischen Kontext. Auch auf kommunaler Ebene steigt die Forschungstätigkeit an, bisher bestehen dort allerdings nur vereinzelte Anpassungskapazitätsbewertungen. Als Vorschlag für die Kategorisierung der Anpassungskapazität auf kommunaler Ebene wenden die Verfassenden die sechs Dimensionen der Bundesebene auch hier an.
Grenzen und Herausforderungen der regionalen Klimamodellierung
Authors: Dobler Andreas , Feldmann Hendrik , Meredith Edmund , Ulbrich Uwe
Published: February 2024

Klimamodellrechnungen projizieren immer nur mögliche Zukünfte. Wie zu erwarten ergeben sich dabei je nach Veränderungen der Konzentration an Treibhausgasen und Schwebteilchen (Aerosolen) in der Atmosphäre jeweils andere Resultate. Solche Unschärfen führen auch zu systematisch unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen. Andererseits ergeben sich Variationen zwischen einzelnen Berechnungen und somit Unschärfen, die letztlich den komplexen Prozessen und Wechselwirkungen im Klimasystem geschuldet sind. Daher werden vielfach, global wie regional, mehrere Klimamodelle eingesetzt und jeweils eine ganze Anzahl einzelner Rechnungen für die einzelnen Szenarien durchgeführt, um die Bandbreite der möglichen Entwicklungen besser beurteilen zu können. Das Kapitel handelt von den Grenzen und Herausforderungen der regionalen Klimamodellierung, der Belastbarkeit ihrer Ergebnisse und zukünftigen Weiterentwicklungsmöglichkeiten.
The Higgs-gluon form factor at three loops in QCD with three mass scales
Authors: Niggetiedt Marco , Usovitsch Johann
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We report on the complete three-loop corrections to the Higgs-gluon form factor in QCD. While previous calculations are based on QCD with a single heavy quark of arbitrary mass, we extend the study to QCD involving two different massive quark flavors. Thereby, the full set of possible Feynman diagrams at three-loop order is taken into account. Employing differential equations for the relevant master integrals, we determine the form factor in terms of analytic expansions. Outside the radii of convergence, we compute high-precision numerical samples over the two-dimensional physical parameter space. Our new findings will enter as virtual corrections the computation of the top-bottom interference in hadronic Higgs-boson production at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD.
Flux Landscape with enhanced symmetry not on SL(2, ℤ) elliptic points
Authors: Ishiguro Keiya , Kai Takafumi , Kobayashi Tatsuo , Otsuka Hajime
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We study structures of solutions for SUSY Minkowski F-term equations on two toroidal orientifolds with h2,1 = 1. Following our previous study [1], with fixed upper bounds of a flux D3-brane charge Nflux, we obtain a whole Landscape and a distribution of degeneracies of physically-distinct solutions for each case. In contrast to our previous study, we consider a non-factorizable toroidal orientifold and its Landscape on which SL(2, ℤ) is violated into a certain congruence subgroup, as it had been known in past studies. We find that it is not the entire duality group that a complex-structure modulus U enjoys but its outer semi-direct product with a “scaling” outer automorphism group. The fundamental region is enlarged to include the |U| < 1 region. In addition, we find that high degeneracy is observed at an elliptic point, not of SL(2, Z) but of the outer automorphism group. Furthermore, ℤ2-enhanced symmetry is realized on the elliptic point. The outer automorphism group is exceptional in the sense that it is consistent with a symplectic basis transformation of background three-cycles, as opposed to the outer automorphism group of SL(2, ℤ). We also compare this result with Landscape of another factorizable toroidal orientifold.
Hautabszess verursacht durch Actinomyces radingae
Authors: Davidovic Miodrag , Ecker Miriam Eva , Lößlein Anne Kathrin , Eyerich Kilian , Schempp Christoph Mathis
Published: February 2024

Wir berichten über einen 77-jährigen Patienten, bei dem aus einem Abszess Actinomyces radingae isoliert wurde. Nach antibiogrammgerechter Therapie mit Amoxicillin/Clavulansäure über 6 Wochen kam es zu einer Abheilung der Infektion. A. radingae ist ein seltener Erreger von Haut- und Weichteilinfektionen. Wie bei anderen Actinomyces-Infektionen sind aufgrund des chronischen Verlaufs und der langen Therapiedauer eine frühzeitige Erregeridentifizierung und zielgerichtete antibiotische Therapie entscheidend für die optimale Sanierung der Infektion. In der Regel ist A. radingae sensibel auf β‑Lactam-Antibiotika.
The use of animal models in preclinical investigations for the development of a surgical mesh for pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Seifalian Amelia , Digesu Alex , Khullar Vikram
Published: February 2024

Introduction and hypothesis

Polypropylene (PP) mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has raised substantial concerns over long-term complications, leading to its ban in multiple countries. In response, emerging materials are being explored as alternatives for prolapse surgery. Preclinical animal models have historically played a pivotal role in validating medical devices, prior to clinical trials. Successful translation of these materials necessitates the identification of suitable animal models that replicate the female human pelvis and its biomechanical properties. Preclinical in vivo testing assesses the safety of surgical mesh and treatment efficacy in preventing POP recurrence.

Methods

The research critically reviews animal models used for preclinical pelvic mesh testing over the last decade and proposes a promising model for future preclinical studies.

Results

Rats were the most common mammal used for toxicity and biocompatibility investigations through abdominal implantation. Although non-human primates serve as a gold standard for efficacy testing, ethical considerations limit their use owing to their close biological and cognitive resemblance to humans. Consequently, sheep were the most preferred large animal model owing to their reproductive system similarities and propensity for spontaneous POP following parity.

Conclusion

The study contributes valuable insights into the selection of appropriate animal models for preclinical pelvic mesh testing, offering guidance that is crucial for enhancing the safety and efficacy of novel surgical interventions in the treatment of POP.
Broadening Horizons: a 3-month structured webinar series for undergraduate and postgraduate plastic surgery education
Authors: Boyce Louis , Jordan Chloe , Ramjee Serena , Evans Ellie , Pafitanis Georgios
Published: February 2024

Background

We created a 3-month webinar series, entitled Broadening Horizons, which explored plastic surgery principles from each subspeciality according to the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) for plastic surgery. This article reports on our experience of producing a teaching programme, its impact on our delegates, and provides a useful guide to creating future webinar series in plastic surgery and other specialities.

Methods

Pre- and post-course questionnaires were used to perform a needs analysis, collect feedback and assess our delegates’ career interests and perceptions of plastic surgery. Delegates rated their responses on 5-point Likert scales. Delegates also undertook a 60-question pre- and post-course exam to test their knowledge.

Results

One thousand eight attendances were recorded for the entire 16-part webinar series. Sixty-three (53–73) delegates, including undergraduate, postgraduate and international students, attended each lecture on average. Seventy-five percent of delegates felt they had previously received inadequate plastic surgery teaching. Ninety-six percent were satisfied or very satisfied with Broadening Horizons. Confidence in their knowledge of plastic surgery increased significantly from 2 (1–3) (not very confident) to 3 (2–5) (somewhat confident) (p = 0.01). Post-course exam scores increased significantly from 49% (32–67) to 56% (23–85) (p = 0.05). Career interest and positive perceptions were maintained.

Conclusions

This is the first webinar series to provide undergraduates and postgraduates plastic surgery teaching based on ISCP learning objectives. The series increased delegates’ knowledge and confidence in their understanding of plastic surgery. This article describes the 5-E-Z step guide to developing future teaching programmes similar to Broadening Horizons.

Level of evidence Not ratable
Incidence and clinical impact of renal failure and bleeding following transcatheter tricuspid valve annuloplasty
Authors: Gietzen Thorsten , Althoff Jan , Ochs Laurin , Gerçek Muhammed , von Stein Jennifer , Hasse Caroline , Iliadis Christos , Friedrichs Kai , Rudolph Volker , Baldus Stephan , Pfister Roman , Körber Maria Isabel
Published: February 2024

Background

Bleeding is the most common complication after percutaneous leaflet-based tricuspid valve repair and associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) and adverse outcome. TTVA with the Cardioband system is a technically more complex procedure; however, frequency and prognostic impact of postinterventional bleeding and renal complications have not been thoroughly examined.

Aims

This study was performed to determine the incidence and clinical impact of bleeding complications (MVARC criteria) and acute kidney injury (KDIGO criteria) following transcatheter tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TTVA).

Methods

In a bi-center retrospective analysis of patients undergoing TTVA between 2018 and 2022, we examined frequency, predictors, and clinical impact of bleeding and renal failure.

Results

In 145 consecutive patients, the incidence of any MVARC bleeding was 20.7% (n = 30), whereas major MVARC bleeding occurred in 6.9% (n = 10). The incidence of AKI was 18.6% (n = 27). Risk factors for bleeding events included low baseline hemoglobin and elevated baseline creatinine levels. Risk factors for AKI included diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, high body mass index, and elevated baseline creatinine levels. Neither procedure duration nor amount of contrast media was associated with AKI or bleeding. Both bleeding and AKI led to a longer hospital stay.

At 3 months, 10.0% (n = 3) of patients with bleeding and 7.8% (n = 9) of patients without bleeding complications died (p = 0.70). Additionally, mortality rate was 7.4% (n = 2) in patients with AKI compared to 8.5% (n = 10) without AKI (p = 0.83).

Conclusion

While about a fifth of patients undergoing TTVA suffered from postinterventional AKI or bleeding, none of these complications was associated with higher mortality at short-term follow-up. One important risk factor for both complications was chronic renal dysfunction, indicating a high-risk patient population. The most frequent bleeding localizations were the femoral access site, pericardial hemorrhage, and the esophagus, which need explicit attention in periprocedural management.

Graphical Abstract
Refractive predictive errors using Barrett II, Hoffer-Q, and SRKT formulae for pediatric IOL implantation
Authors: Shmueli Or , Azem Nur , Navarrete Ana , Matanis-Suidan Milka , David Ran , Mechoulam Hadas , Anteby Irene
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To compare the accuracy of the Barrett II universal (BU II) formula, Hoffer-Q, and SRKT formulae following lensectomy and IOL implantation in a large pediatric cohort.

Methods

Retrospective study of children who underwent lensectomy and IOL implantation between 2015 and 2023 at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Results

One hundred and fifty-one eyes of 104 children aged 6.0 ± 3.9 years were included. The mean prediction error (PE) was − 0.08 ± 1.54 diopters (D) with BU II, 0.24 ± 1.46 D with Hoffer-Q, and 0.71 ± 1.92 D with SRKT (P = 0.10). In eyes with axial length (AL) < 22 mm, BU II and Hoffer-Q had a smaller PE than SRKT (P = 0.024). In eyes with AL ≥ 22 mm, BU II had a smaller PE than Hoffer-Q (P = 0.048).

In children 24 months or older at surgery, BU II had a smaller PE than SRKT and Hoffer-Q (P = 0.012). However, in younger children, no difference was found between the formulae (P = 0.61).

For mean k-values ≥ 44.5 D, BU II and Hoffer-Q had a smaller PE than SRKT (P = 0.002). An absolute prediction error < 1.0 D was obtained with BU II in 66% of eyes and SRKT in 35% (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The BU II formula performed well with a small prediction error. No significant difference in PE was detected overall between the formulae. However, only BU II demonstrated a stable prediction error at varying axial lengths, K-readings, and ages. As the biometric parameters of the developing eye change with growth, the BU II formula offers a reliable and stable option for pediatric IOL calculation.
Effective speed control of brushless DC motor using cascade 1PDf-PI controller tuned by snake optimizer
Authors: Çelik Emre , Karayel Mehmet
Published: February 2024

This paper introduces a cascade one proportional derivative incorporating filter (1PDf)-proportional integral (PI) controller abbreviated as c-1PDf-PI to deal effectively with the speed control issue of brushless DC (BLDC) motors. Two problems exist with implementing this controller such as iterated integral overflow and derivation-based chattering owing to the noise. The former is resolved by using an equivalent expression for the integral operation, while the latter is addressed by putting a first-order filter on the derivative term. To achieve the best performance from the controller, snake optimizer (SO) is fruitfully employed for optimizing the controller parameters without need for expert knowledge/interpretation. Here, a more reasonable cost function to assess the candidate solutions is also described. Simulations and laboratory experiments using DSP of TI TMS320F28335 are performed and the results are presented which show that the reference tracking performance, torque disturbance capability and robustness of the c-1PDf-PI controller have potential. These results are also contrasted by those offered by PI and 1PDf speed control schemes individually, affirming the superior performance of our proposal. As per the results, discussion and observation of this research, we stress that good performance and simplicity are salient advantages of the c-1PDf-PI controller, rendering it a good alternative over the complicated controller designs.
Real-time sign language recognition based on YOLO algorithm
Authors: Alaftekin Melek , Pacal Ishak , Cicek Kenan
Published: February 2024

This study focuses on real-time hand gesture recognition in the Turkish sign language detection system. YOLOv4-CSP based on convolutional neural network (CNN), a state-of-the-art object detection algorithm, is used to provide real-time and high-performance detection. The YOLOv4-CSP algorithm is created by adding CSPNet to the neck of the original YOLOv4 to improve network performance. A new object detection model has been proposed by optimizing the YOLOv4-CSP algorithm in order to provide more efficient detection in Turkish sign language. The model uses CSPNet throughout the network to increase the learning ability of the network. However, Proposed YOLOv4-CSP has a learning model with Mish activation function, complete intersection of union (CIoU) loss function and transformer block added. The Proposed YOLOv4-CSP algorithm has faster learning with transfer learning than previous versions. This allows the proposed YOLOv4-CSP algorithm to perform a faster restriction and recognition of static hand signals simultaneously. To evaluate the speed and detection performance of the proposed YOLOv4-CSP model, it is compared with previous YOLO series, which offers real-time detection, as well. YOLOv3, YOLOv3-SPP, YOLOv4-CSP and proposed YOLOv4-CSP models are trained with a labeled dataset consisting of numbers in Turkish Sign language, and their performances on the hand signals recognitions are compared. With the proposed method, 98.95% precision, 98.15% recall, 98.55 F1 score and 99.49% mAP results are obtained in 9.8 ms. The proposed method for detecting numbers in Turkish sign language outperforms other algorithms with both real-time performance and accurate hand sign prediction, regardless of background.
Domestic violence as a risk factor of maternal filicide
Authors: Vileisis Julia , Laufer Brooke
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper will investigate precursors to maternal filicide, focusing on domestic violence. While psychosis is often well described, less frequently explored are the connections between prior trauma, domestic violence, depression, and filicide. We will discuss reasons why a woman may not disclose domestic violence and suggest possible areas for intervention.

Methods

We present a case involving domestic violence, its impact on mental health, and eventual filicide. We then present an alternative scenario of the same case where filicide is considered, but is avoided.

Results

The case of the mother who experienced domestic violence and was accused and sentenced for filicide is seen in greater relief by presenting the case in an alternative scenario with effective interventions. It is clear the availability and the ability to access community supports, such as obstetric and pediatric screening, psychiatric treatment, domestic violence shelters, intimate partner violence outreach services, parenting support groups, and hospital social work case management, tragedies such as filicide can be prevented.

Conclusion

Traumatic early childhood experiences predispose people to a stress–response system that is more prone to inactivity and impulsivity. This can cause women in domestic violence relationships to stay, limit their options for family planning, become increasingly depressed, not seek community support, and risk impulsive action of harming their child. This risk can be mitigated by building stable relationships with their medical team, treating depression, connecting with home visitation programs, and being empowered to access contraception.
Stable Spectral Methods for Time-Dependent Problems and the Preservation of Structure
Authors: Iserles Arieh
Published: February 2024

This paper is concerned with orthonormal systems in real intervals, given with zero Dirichlet boundary conditions. More specifically, our interest is in systems with a skew-symmetric differentiation matrix (this excludes orthonormal polynomials). We consider a simple construction of such systems and pursue its ramifications. In general, given any $$\text {C}^1(a,b)$$

C
1

(
a
,
b
)

weight function such that $$w(a)=w(b)=0$$

w
(
a
)
=
w
(
b
)
=
0

, we can generate an orthonormal system with a skew-symmetric differentiation matrix. Except for the case $$a=-\infty $$

a
=
-
∞

, $$b=+\infty $$

b
=
+
∞

, only few powers of that matrix are bounded and we establish a connection between properties of the weight function and boundedness. In particular, we examine in detail two weight functions: the Laguerre weight function $$x^\alpha \textrm{e}^{-x}$$

x
α

e

-
x

for $$x>0$$

x
>
0

and $$\alpha >0$$

α
>
0

and the ultraspherical weight function $$(1-x^2)^\alpha $$

(
1
-

x
2

)

α

, $$x\in (-1,1)$$

x
∈
(
-
1
,
1
)

, $$\alpha >0$$

α
>
0

, and establish their properties. Both weights share a most welcome feature of separability, which allows for fast computation. The quality of approximation is highly sensitive to the choice of $$\alpha $$
α
, and we discuss how to choose optimally this parameter, depending on the number of zero boundary conditions.
An effective automatic processing engine for improving the multi-GNSS constellation precise orbit prediction
Authors: Chen Xinghan , Ge Maorong , Zuo Xiang , Schuh Harald
Published: February 2024

Orbit prediction (OP) recently tends to be a very crucial step for supporting real-time GNSS orbit services due to the dynamic stability of navigation satellite orbits. The OP performance depends on the length of the predicted orbits and the accuracy of precise orbit determination (POD) as basis. Considering this, a new automatic processing engine is established for improving the multiple global navigation satellite systems (multi-GNSS) constellation OP performance. From the architecture-oriented high-performance parallel processing perspective, the multi-node and multi-core computer sources are fully exploited to implement the hourly update of the current multi-GNSS POD. For MEO-type satellites (e.g., Galileo satellites), the accuracy of predicted orbits is improved from 3.8 cm, 6.5 cm, and 12.3 cm to 3.5 cm, 4.3 cm, and 6.3 cm, in the radial, cross, and along directions, respectively, compared to the three-hour POD update. Despite the shortened OP length, the OP performance of regional navigation satellite system (RNSS) satellites is still limited due to their regional observability. The BDS-IGSO and QZSS-IGSO satellitesexhibit radial directional orbital errors of up to 36.9 cm and 28.9 cm, respectively. Therefore, an orbit fitting (OF) processing method with orbit reconstruction is implemented into the processing engine. By utilizing this method, the radial orbital errors for BDS-IGSO and QZSS-IGSO satellites can be reduced to 7.0 cm and 10.4 cm, respectively. The mean real-time positioning errors are thus reduced from 28.3 to 18.4 cm and from 24.4 to 18.2 cm in the horizontal and vertical components, respectively.
The application of AI techniques in requirements classification: a systematic mapping
Authors: Kaur Kamaljit , Kaur Parminder
Published: February 2024

Requirement Analysis is the essential sub-field of requirements engineering (RE). From the last decade, numerous automatic techniques are widely exploited in requirements analysis. In this context, requirements identification and classification is challenging for RE community, especially in context of large corpus and app review. As a consequence, several Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques such as Machine learning (ML), Deep learning (DL) and transfer learning (TL)) have been proposed to reduce the manual efforts of requirement engineer. Although, these approaches reported promising results than traditional automated techniques, but the knowledge of their applicability in real-life and actual use of these approaches is yet incomplete. The main objective of this paper is to systematically investigate and better understand the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques in identification and classification of software requirements. This study conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) and collect the primary studies on the use of AI techniques in requirements classification. (1) this study found that 60 studies are published that adopted automated techniques in requirements classification. The reported results indicate that transfer learning based approaches extensively used in classification and yielding most accurate results and outperforms the other ML and DL techniques. (2) The data extraction process of SLR indicates that Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) are widely used in selected studies. (3) Precision and Recall are the commonly used metrics for evaluating the performance of automated techniques. This paper revealed that while these AI approaches reported promising results in classification. The applicability of these existing techniques in complex and real-world settings has not been reported yet. This SLR calls for the urge for the close alliance between RE and AI techniques to handle the open issues confronted in the development of some real-world automated system.
Milestones in speaker recognition
Authors: Sharma R. , Govind D. , Mishra J. , Dubey A. K. , Deepak K. T. , Prasanna S. R. M.
Published: February 2024

This article reviews significant research in the domain of speaker recognition, i.e., the task of determining the speaker’s identity from its speech. Unlike conventional review articles, this document strives to be concise and selective, provide a historical context, and reach a wider audience. In this endeavour, a summary of selected key works of every decade is provided which highlights the theme(s) of research of that period. At first, an overview of the humble beginnings of the 1960s and 70s is provided, followed by the key developments in the 80s and 90s. The prime focus of the research community in the 2000s is then discussed, leading to various non-conventional features, modelling techniques, and hybrid or fusion systems. The developments of the last decade (the 2010s), such as the i-vector-based systems, are then discussed. Modern speaker recognition based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as the x-vector system, and refinements of the i-vector-based systems using deep neural networks, are then discussed. The article concludes with a concise discussion of the evolving recent trends and allied research in speaker recognition.
Egerváry's theorems for harmonic trinomials
Authors: Barrera G. , Barrera W. , Navarrete J. P.
Published: February 2024

We study the arrangements of the roots in the complex plane
for the lacunary harmonic polynomials called harmonic trinomials. We provide
necessary and sufficient conditions so that two general harmonic trinomials have
the same set of roots up to a rotation around the origin in the complex plane, a
reflection over the real axis, or a composition of the previous both transformations.
This extends the results of Jenő Egerváry given in [19] for the setting of
trinomials to the setting of harmonic trinomials.
Efficiency of Persicaria salicifolia as a natural alternative antifungal against Aspergillus flavus infection in Oreochromis niloticus from Aswan Governorate, Egypt
Authors: El-Zayat Soad A. , Abdel-Motaal Fatma F. , Mohamed Sahar H. , Hamouda Awatef H.
Published: February 2024

Fungal diseases in fish cause economic losses all over the world, and knowledge about them is scarce and outdated in Aswan Governorate, Egypt, making interpretation, prevention, and treatment difficult. The necessity to find a fungicide that is natural, environmentally friendly, and does not emerge drug resistance is a must. Therefore, the current study aimed to isolate and diagnose fungal infection in farmed Oreochromis niloticus, causing mortalities, in Aswan Governorate. During 2021, 200 fresh O. niloticus samples were collected from the Sahary Fish Hatchery and Aswan General Authority for Fish Resources Development fish farm. Some fish showed hemorrhagic lesions all over the body, detachment of scales, and fin erosion. Collected tissue samples were cultured on potato dextrose agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar for phenotypic characterization. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses were used to identify the isolated fungi. A total of 18 fungal species and two varieties appertaining to ten fungal genera were recovered from 48 samples out of 200 examined O. niloticus (24%), with Aspergillus flavus being the most prevalent at a rate of 25.6%. The isolated A. flavus was proven to be pathogenic to farmed O. niloticus, as by experimental infection. The natural herb Persicaria salicifolia had an LC50 value of 41.68 mg/l in exposed O. niloticus and was used to treat A. flavus-infected O. niloticus. It can be concluded that A. flavus poses a major hazard to O. niloticus aquaculture and can be treated with 40 mg/kg in feed or 20 mg/l in water of P. salicifolia for 6 days.
CircRNA ITCH Inhibits Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transformation and Promotes Apoptosis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma via miR-106a-5p/JAZF1 Axis
Authors: Chen Yijun , Lian Zhiming , Zhang Guolie , Lin Yuanmei , Zhang Guoliang , Liu Wei , Gao Jian , Zheng Zifang
Published: February 2024

Circular RNA ITCH (circ-ITCH) is implicated in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) development. Nevertheless, the more detailed molecular mechanism remains uncovered. The transcriptional level of circ-ITCH was tested via quantitative real-time PCR. Transwell assay was introduced to assess the migrative and invasive abilities of cells. RNA interference technology was employed to reduce the level of circ-ITCH as well as JAZF1 in PTC cells. Western blot assay was utilized to reveal the content of JAZF1 and proteins related to epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT) progression. Circ-ITCH was downregulated in PTC tissues as well as cells. Overexpression of circ-ITCH suppressed EMT, migration, invasion, facilitated apoptosis in PTC cells, while silencing circ-ITCH exhibited reversed effects. Additionally, miR-106a-5p was the target of circ-ITCH and negatively regulated through circ-ITCH. MiR-106a-5p mimic partly eliminated the influences of overexpressed circ-ITCH in PTC cells. Moreover, JAZF1 could interact with miR-106a-5p, then it was regulated via circ-ITCH. Silencing JAZF1 partially counteracted the role of circ-ITCH in PTC cells progress. This study uncovered that circ-ITCH suppressed the development of PTC cells at least partly by mediating miR-106a-5p/JAZF1 network.
Exploring the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 and Dyadic Associations Between Mental Health and Relational Dynamics in a Sample of Married Male Sexual Minority Couples
Authors: Parsons L. E. , Wei Menglin , Novak Josh R. , de Almeida Giovanna Veiga , Gast Julie , Peak Terry
Published: February 2024

Across studies, intuitive eating is associated with many health indicators. The Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), the instrument for measuring intuitive eating, had not previously been explored with a sample of sexual minority [Sexual minority refers to individuals who experience consensual sexual identity, attraction, or behavior that is non normative (typically sexual minority individuals are lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or non-heterosexual)] individuals despite the disparities in eating behaviors and stress that persist among this population. Further, past work suggests the context of being partnered can be both protective and harmful for eating behaviors, highlighting an important avenue for investigating intuitive eating at the dyad level. This study sought to investigate the factor structure of the IES-2 and to explore the associations between both partner’s mental health, relational quality, and interpersonal eating interactions within a dyadic sample of 228 married male sexual minority couples (88% white, 8.8% Latino or Hispanic, 5.3% African American or Black, and 5.9% in other racial or ethnic groups). The original four-factor solution did not fit the current sample; instead, a new, fifth factor emerged, which was labeled as Eating Not as Coping. Intuitive eating behaviors were dyadically associated with mental and relational health and partners’ health-related interactions with one another. Future use of the IES-2 is informed by present results which may also inform recommendations for practice with and study of health and relationships.
Genetic diversity and population structure of wild and cultivated apricots collected from Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Uzun Aydın , Pinar Hasan , Gürcan Kahraman , Turgunbaev Kubanychbek , Yıldız Ercan , Ilgın Mürüvvet , Dolgikh Svetlana
Published: February 2024

Central Asia contains rich genetic resources for apricots. With its mountainous geography, Kyrgyzstan is the country where wild and cultivated apricot forms are preserved. The present study revealed genetic diversity and population structures in 91 apricot accessions from different regions of Kyrgyzstan. Fifteen simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were used, capillary electrophoresis was performed, and the number of alleles per primer ranged from 4 to 11. A significant level of variation was determined among apricots originating from Kyrgyzstan. In the resulting dendrogram, all apricot accessions were divided into five groups, and the materials belonging to the northern and southern regions were grouped separately. At the same time, the population structure of apricots was analyzed. Accordingly, individuals have 0.80 or more membership coefficients; therefore, they are likely pure and non-admixed. There were 34 apricot accessions that have been determined as pure. The remaining 53 individuals had varying membership coefficients and were likely to be admixed by at least two subpopulations. This study is the most comprehensive research on Kyrgyzstan-origin apricots, providing vital information on their identification, preservation, and use in future research.
Interaction of Resting Heart Rate with Empathy in Predicting Externalizing Behavior
Authors: Oskarsson Sofi , Bertoldi Bridget M. , Andersson Anneli , Siponen Rebecca , Ling Shichun , Raine Adrian , Baker Laura , Evans Brittany , Tuvblad Catherine
Published: February 2024

Biopsychosocial criminological theories suggest that it is important to consider interactions between risk factors from different domains in the prediction of externalizing behavior. Lower resting heart rate is considered the best replicated biological risk factor for externalizing behavior. The psychological construct of empathy has also shown to be predictive of such behavior, but little is known about the potential interaction between these two different risk factors in predicting externalizing behavior. We examined the moderating role of empathy on the association between resting heart rate in childhood and adolescence with externalizing behavior by young adulthood using two subsets of participants from the Longitudinal Risk Factors for Antisocial Behavior project: Subsample 1 (n = 697) at ages 9–10 and 19–20 years and Subsample 2 (n = 394) at ages 14–15 and 19–20 years. Linear and logistic regressions showed that empathy moderated the association between resting heart rate in adolescence and externalizing behavior by young adulthood. Among individuals with low but not high levels of empathy, increased resting heart rate predicted lower levels of externalizing behavior. Interventions enhancing empathic skills in individuals with psychophysiological risk profiles could be beneficial.
The > Uncommon < Factor in Psychotherapy and the Role of Negative Skills: Why and How Psychoanalysis Offers an Important Contribution for Mental Health Practice Today
Authors: Storck Timo
Published: February 2024

Psychoanalysis brings some specific aspects of treatment technique to the field of mental health practice today, such as highlighting the dynamics within therapeutic relationship (especially regarding emotional and unconscious elements), the role of defense mechanisms etc. Moreover, by means of taking a particular therapeutic stance, psychoanalysis offers some shared mental space for patients. The present paper argues that this stance is characterized by the capacity to “not act”, that is: by passive receptivity. To view this as some specific “negative skill” in psychotherapy in general means to align common elements of effective psychotherapy with the capacity to explore the uncommon, unfamiliar or unforeseen in particular psychotherapeutic processes. The paper sketches how this can be employed in psychotherapy training as well as in psychotherapy integration.
A K-means Supported Reinforcement Learning Framework to Multi-dimensional Knapsack
Authors: Bushaj Sabah , Büyüktahtakın İ. Esra
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we address the difficulty of solving large-scale multi-dimensional knapsack instances (MKP), presenting a novel deep reinforcement learning (DRL) framework. In this DRL framework, we train different agents compatible with a discrete action space for sequential decision-making while still satisfying any resource constraint of the MKP. This novel framework incorporates the decision variable values in the 2D DRL where the agent is responsible for assigning a value of 1 or 0 to each of the variables. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first DRL model of its kind in which a 2D environment is formulated, and an element of the DRL solution matrix represents an item of the MKP. Our framework is configured to solve MKP instances of different dimensions and distributions. We propose a K-means approach to obtain an initial feasible solution that is used to train the DRL agent. We train four different agents in our framework and present the results comparing each of them with the CPLEX commercial solver. The results show that our agents can learn and generalize over instances with different sizes and distributions. Our DRL framework shows that it can solve medium-sized instances at least 45 times faster in CPU solution time and at least 10 times faster for large instances, with a maximum solution gap of 0.28% compared to the performance of CPLEX. Furthermore, at least 95% of the items are predicted in line with the CPLEX solution. Computations with DRL also provide a better optimality gap with respect to state-of-the-art approaches.
Consensus-based optimization for multi-objective problems: a multi-swarm approach
Authors: Klamroth Kathrin , Stiglmayr Michael , Totzeck Claudia
Published: February 2024

We propose a multi-swarm approach to approximate the Pareto front of general multi-objective optimization problems that is based on the consensus-based optimization method (CBO). The algorithm is motivated step by step beginning with a simple extension of CBO based on fixed scalarization weights. To overcome the issue of choosing the weights we propose an adaptive weight strategy in the second modeling step. The modeling process is concluded with the incorporation of a penalty strategy that avoids clusters along the Pareto front and a diffusion term that prevents collapsing swarms. Altogether the proposed K-swarm CBO algorithm is tailored for a diverse approximation of the Pareto front and, simultaneously, the efficient set of general non-convex multi-objective problems. The feasibility of the approach is justified by analytic results, including convergence proofs, and a performance comparison to the well-known non-dominated sorting genetic algorithms NSGA2 and NSGA3 as well as the recently proposed one-swarm approach for multi-objective problems involving consensus-based optimization.