bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Functions on Lorentzian Length Spaces
Authors: Burtscher Annegret , García-Heveling Leonardo
Published: July 2024

In general relativity, time functions are crucial objects whose existence and properties are intimately tied to the causal structure of a spacetime and also to the initial value formulation of the Einstein equations. In this work we establish all fundamental classical existence results on time functions in the setting of Lorentzian (pre-)length spaces (including causally plain continuous spacetimes, closed cone fields and even more singular spaces). More precisely, we characterize the existence of time functions by K-causality, show that a modified notion of Geroch’s volume functions are time functions if and only if the space is causally continuous, and lastly, characterize global hyperbolicity by the existence of Cauchy time functions, and Cauchy sets. Our results thus inevitably show that no manifold structure is needed in order to obtain suitable time functions.
Rats exposed to Alternaria toxins in vivo exhibit altered liver activity highlighted by disruptions in riboflavin and acylcarnitine metabolism
Authors: Peach Jesse T. , Puntscher Hannes , Höger Harald , Marko Doris , Warth Benedikt
Published: July 2024

Natural toxins produced by Alternaria fungi include the mycotoxins alternariol, tenuazonic acid and altertoxins I and II. Several of these toxins have shown high toxicity even at low levels including genotoxic, mutagenic, and estrogenic effects. However, the metabolic effects of toxin exposure from Alternaria are understudied, especially in the liver as a key target. To gain insight into the impact of Alternaria toxin exposure on the liver metabolome, rats (n = 21) were exposed to either (1) a complex culture extract with defined toxin profiles from Alternaria alternata (50 mg/kg body weight), (2) the isolated, highly genotoxic altertoxin-II (ATX-II) (0.7 mg/kg of body weight) or (3) a solvent control. The complex mixture contained a spectrum of Alternaria toxins including a controlled dose of ATX-II, matching the concentration of the isolated ATX-II. Liver samples were collected after 24 h and analyzed via liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Authentic reference standards (> 100) were used to identify endogenous metabolites and exogenous compounds from the administered exposures in tandem with SWATH-acquired MS/MS data which was used for non-targeted analysis/screening. Screening for metabolites produced by Alternaria revealed several compounds solely isolated in the liver of rats exposed to the complex culture, confirming results from a previously performed targeted biomonitoring study. This included the altersetin and altercrasin A that were tentatively identified. An untargeted metabolomics analysis found upregulation of acylcarnitines in rats receiving the complex Alternaria extract as well as downregulation of riboflavin in rats exposed to both ATX-II and the complex mixture. Taken together, this work provides a mechanistic view of Alternari toxin exposure and new suspect screening insights into hardly characterized Alternaria toxins.
Stable Recovery of Coefficients in an Inverse Fault Friction Problem
Authors: de Hoop Maarten V. , Lassas Matti , Lu Jinpeng , Oksanen Lauri
Published: July 2024

We consider the inverse fault friction problem of determining the friction coefficient in the Tresca friction model, which can be formulated as an inverse problem for differential inequalities. We show that the measurements of elastic waves during a rupture uniquely determine the friction coefficient at the rupture surface with explicit stability estimates.
Prediction of delayed graft function by early salivary microbiota following kidney transplantation
Authors: Xiang Xuyu , Peng Bo , Liu Kai , Wang Tianyin , Ding Peng , Zhu Yi , Cheng Ke , Ming Yingzi
Published: July 2024

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a frequently observed complication following kidney transplantation (KT). Our prior research revealed dynamic shifts in salivary microbiota post-KT with immediate graft function (IGF), yet its behavior during DGF remains unexplored. Five recipients with DGF and 35 recipients with IGF were enrolled. Saliva samples were collected during the perioperative period, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed. The salivary microbiota of IGFs changed significantly and gradually stabilized with the recovery of renal function. The salivary microbiota composition of DGFs was significantly different from that of IGFs, although the trend of variation appeared to be similar to that of IGFs. Salivary microbiota that differed significantly between patients with DGF and IGF at 1 day after transplantation were able to accurately distinguish the two groups in the randomForest algorithm (accuracy = 0.8333, sensitivity = 0.7778, specificity = 1, and area under curve = 0.85), with Selenomonas playing an important role. Bacteroidales (Spearman’s r =  − 0.4872 and p = 0.0293) and Veillonella (Spearmen’s r =  − 0.5474 and p = 0.0125) were significantly associated with the serum creatinine in DGF patients. Moreover, the significant differences in overall salivary microbiota structure between DGF and IGF patients disappeared upon long-term follow-up. This is the first study to investigate the dynamic changes in salivary microbiota in DGFs. Our findings suggested that salivary microbiota was able to predict DGF in the early stages after kidney transplantation, which might help the perioperative clinical management and early-stage intervention of kidney transplant recipients.

Key points

• Salivary microbiota on the first day after KT could predict DGF.

• Alterations in salivary taxa after KT are related to recovery of renal function.
In-vivo confocal microscopy predicts cytomegalovirus as the cause of chronic or recurrent anterior uveitis among Chinese
Authors: Kwok Stephanie Hiu-wai , Kam Ka Wai , Mok Eugenie , Young Alvin L.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To evaluate and compare endothelial features by in-vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in Chinese eyes with chronic or recurrent anterior uveitis (AU) with and without cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Methods

A double-masked, cross-sectional case-control study at a tertiary eye clinic.

Results

Thirty eyes of 30 subjects were analyzed. Fifteen eyes (50%) were CMV positive, while fifteen eyes were negative for herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus and CMV. Absence of pseudoguttata was the strongest, independent risk factor for CMV (OR 34.53, 95% CI: 1.84-648.02, p = 0.018), followed by severe iris depigmentation (OR 31.45, 1.02-965.81, p = 0.048) and low corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) (OR 14.79, 1.14–191.30, p = 0.039) on univariable regression. All three remained statistically significant after adjustment. The combination of absence of pseudoguttata and low ECD on IVCM achieved a similar predictive value as iris depigmentation examination.

Conclusion

Absence of pseudoguttata on IVCM was an independent predictor of positive CMV detection after adjusting for iris depigmentation and corneal endothelial cell density. The addition of this feature to severe iris depigmentation and low corneal ECD can increase the positive predictive value of detecting CMV. IVCM was a useful non-invasive tool to predict CMV in patients with chronic or recurrent AU.
Sustainability in surgical practice: a collaborative call toward environmental sustainability in operating rooms
Authors: Johnson Shaneeta M. , Marconi Stefania , Sanchez-Casalongue Manuel , Francis Nader , Huo Bright , Alseidi Adnan , Alimi Yewande R. , Pietrabissa Andrea , Arezzo Alberto , Frountzas Maximos , Bellato Vittoria , Potapov Oleksii , Barach Paul , Rems Miran , Bello Ricardo J. , Nijhawan Sheetal , Oslock Wendelyn M. , Sathe Tejas S. , Hall Ryan P. , Miller Benjamin , Samreen Sarah , Chung Jimmy , Marfo Nana , Lim Robert B. , Vandeberg Jonathan , Eussen Myrthe M. , Bouvy Nicole D. , Sylla Patricia
Published: July 2024

Background

The healthcare system plays a pivotal role in environmental sustainability, and the operating room (OR) significantly contributes to its overall carbon footprint. In response to this critical challenge, leading medical societies, government bodies, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders are taking measures to address healthcare sustainability and its impact on climate change. Healthcare now represents almost 20% of the US national economy and 8.5% of US carbon emissions. Internationally, healthcare represents 5% of global carbon emissions. US Healthcare is an outlier in both per capita cost, and per capita greenhouse gas emission, with almost twice per capita emissions compared to every other country in the world.

Methods

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) established the Sustainability in Surgical Practice joint task force in 2023. This collaborative effort aims to actively promote education, mitigation, and innovation, steering surgical practices toward a more sustainable future.

Results

Several key initiatives have included a survey of members' knowledge and awareness, a scoping review of terminology, metrics, and initiatives, and deep engagement of key stakeholders.

Discussion

This position paper serves as a Call to Action, proposing a series of actions to catalyze and accelerate the surgical sustainability leadership needed to respond effectively to climate change, and to lead the societal transformation towards health that our times demand.
Diagnostic value of transcranial doppler to predict delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: van der Harst J. Joep , Elting Jan Willem J. , Hijlkema Johanna , Veeger Nic J. G. M. , van Donkelaar Carlina E. , van Dijk J. Marc C. , Uyttenboogaart Maarten
Published: July 2024

Background

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a technique to assess blood flow velocity in the cerebral arteries. TCD is frequently used to monitor aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients. This study compares TCD-criteria for vasospasm and its association with Delayed Cerebral Ischemia (DCI). An overall score based on flow velocities of various intracranial arteries was developed and evaluated.

Methods

A retrospective diagnostic accuracy study was conducted between 1998 and 2017 with 621 patients included. Mean flow velocity (MFV) of the cerebral artery was measured between 2–5 days and between 6–9 days after ictus. Cutoff values from the literature, new cutoff values, and a new composite score (Combined Severity Score) were used to predict DCI. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were determined, and logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

The Combined Severity Score showed an AUC 0.64 (95%CI 0.56-.71) at days 2–5, with sensitivity 0.53 and specificity 0.74. The Combined Severity Score had an adjusted Odds Ratio of 3.41 (95CI 1.86–6.32) for DCI. MCA-measurements yielded the highest AUC to detect DCI at day 2–5: AUC 0.65 (95%CI 0.58–0.73). Optimal cutoff MFV of 83 cm/s for MCA resulted in sensitivity 0.73 and specificity 0.50 at days 2–5.

Conclusion

TCD-monitoring of aSAH patients may be a valuable strategy for DCI risk stratification. Lower cutoff values can be used in the early phase after the ictus (day 2–5) than are commonly used now. The Combined Severity Score incorporating all major cerebral arteries may provide a meaningful contribution to interpreting TCD measurements.
Early reduction of retinal thickness predicts physical and cognitive disability in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients: results from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Toscano Simona , Chisari Clara Grazia , Biondi Alice , Patti Francesco
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness is a promising biomarker of axonal loss and a potential outcome predictor in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Cognitive impairment (CoI) exhibits a high prevalence in patients with MS (pwMS), even in the early phases of the disease. Our aim was to explore the role of RNFL thickness as a predictor of physical and cognitive disability in pwMS.

Methods

All newly diagnosed pwMS referred to the MS centre of the University-Hospital “Policlinico-San Marco” between 2015–2019 were evaluated at baseline and at 3 years. RNFL and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness for right (r.e.) and left eyes (l.e.) were measured with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Disability level and cognitive profile were assessed, using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) battery, respectively.

Results

We consecutively enrolled 487 pwMS, including 68 (14.0%) with primary progressive MS (PPMS). At baseline, RNFL and GCL were bilaterally thinner in PPMS (r.e. 90.4 ± 12.7; l.e. 90.2 ± 13.5, and r.e. 80.1 ± 11.2; l.e. 80.3 ± 12.6, respectively) compared to relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) (r.e. 94.6 ± 13.1; l.e. 94.3 ± 14.8, and r.e. 85.1 ± 9.5; l.e. 84.9 ± 9.3, respectively) (p < 0.01). Both groups exhibited reduced RNFL and GCL thickness, worse cognitive performance and higher EDSS scores at 3-years follow-up compared with baseline. RNFL thickness ≤ 88.0 μm was an independent predictor of CoI (OR = 5.32; 95% CI = 1.84–9.12; p = 0.02) and disability worsening (OR = 3.18; 95% CI = 1.21–10.33; p = 0.05).

Discussion

RNFL thickness, as a biomarker of neurodegeneration, could be considered a predictive biomarker of cognitive degeneration and physical disability in MS.
Perturbations of non-autonomous second-order abstract Cauchy problems
Authors: Budde C. , Seifert C.
Published: July 2024

In this paper we present time-dependent perturbations of second-order non-autonomous abstract Cauchy problems associated to a family of operators with constant domain. We make use of the equivalence to a first-order non-autonomous abstract Cauchy problem in a product space, which we elaborate in full detail.
As an application we provide a perturbed non-autonomous wave equation.
Effects on fatty acids, biochemical composition and growth of rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) fed with different concentrations of Nannochloropsis sp.
Authors: Osmanoğlu Mustafa İbrahim , Elp Mahmut , Durmaz Yaşar
Published: July 2024

The density of microalgae and nutrient content have impact on the population growth rate, egg rate and nutritional values of rotifers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of the alga Nannochloropsis sp. (N10: 10x106, N20: 20x106, N30: 30x106 cells mL-1) on the growth, egg rate, biochemical composition and fatty acid profile of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. To maintain a consistent algae density, an equivalent quantity was supplemented to compensate for any reduction. The study was started with three replicates, each with an initial inoculation density of 200 Brachionus individuals mL-1 . The investigation spanned 5 days, during which population parameters (total number of individuals, proportion of individuals with eggs and growth rate) were calculated. After the study period, rotifers were harvested for subsequent biochemical and fatty acid analyses. Notably, the N30 group showed the highest proportions of crude protein (54.41%) and crude lipid (34.5%). The N20 group displayed the most substantial content of total fatty acids, recording a value of 70.69%. Consequently, the N30 group, with a concentration of 30x106 cells mL-1, emerged as the most proficient group, demonstrating superior performance in both population growth and biochemical composition.
The defocalizing effect of international courts: Evidence from maritime delimitation practices
Authors: Yildiz Ezgi , Yüksel Umut
Published: July 2024

Can international courts influence state policies and facilitate interstate cooperation? Existing literature argues that they can. Courts can make cooperative outcomes easier for states by formulating or endorsing rules around which state expectations and practice can converge. While it is widely assumed that court rulings may become focal points and play a role in harmonizing state practices, we know little about the conditions under which they have such an effect. We suggest that court rulings can often have an opposite, defocalizing effect, which may durably harm the prospects of convergence around what the law requires. We introduce defocalization as a process and discuss its possible types and implications. We argue that defocalization may be driven by incongruence of court rulings with existing treaty law and state practice and inconsistency of rulings over time. We illustrate our argument by examining the effect of key judicial rulings on the convergence of state views about the appropriate maritime delimitation rules by relying on an original dataset. Our findings show how defocalization unfolds and suggest that complexity can accumulate over time through legal rulings that are incongruent with existing state practice or treaty law, and can be maintained through inconsistent court decisions.
Elusive collaboration? The determinants of lead donorship in international development
Authors: Williams Miles D.
Published: July 2024

Lead donorship is a condition of sustained outsized responsibility by one foreign aid donor country for giving aid to a developing country. Prior research argues that lead donorship can either be a product of donors collaborating to carve out spheres of influence to maximize non-development foreign policy goals or else of donors buck-passing responsibility for addressing recipient needs. Which is it? This study seeks to answer this question using theory-driven expectations about when and where lead donorship should arise if donors cooperate or systematically fail to do so. It further develops novel measures of foreign aid’s public goods characteristics and donors’ marginal returns from giving aid that should help triangulate conditions under which we can expect lead donorship to arise due to cooperation or else its absence. Estimates from a flexible semi-parametric modeling strategy show that when and where lead donorship has the highest probability of occurring is consistent with systematic cooperation failure in the allocation of foreign aid. Various robustness checks are done and alternative explanations are also discussed. These findings provide insight into ongoing policy debates about donor cooperation and aid effectiveness and raise questions about what deeper strategic logics preclude donor cooperation.
Improvement of drought forecasting by means of various machine learning algorithms and wavelet transformation
Authors: Tuğrul Türker , Hinis Mehmet Ali
Published: July 2024

Drought, which is defined as a decrease in average rainfall amounts, is one of the most insidious natural disasters. When it starts, people may not be aware of it, which is why droughts are difficult to monitor. Scientists have long been working to predict and monitor droughts. For this purpose, they have developed many methods, such as drought indices, one of which is the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). In this study, SPI was used to detect droughts, and machine learning algorithms, including support vector machines (SVM), artificial neural networks, random forest, and decision tree, were used to predict droughts. In addition, 3 different statistical criteria, which are correlation coefficient (r), root mean square error (RMSE), and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), were used to investigate model performance values. The wavelet transform (WT) was also applied to improve model performance. One of the areas most impacted by droughts in Turkey is the Konya Closed Basin, which is geographically positioned in the center of the country and is among the top grain-producing regions in Turkey. The Apa Dam is one of the most significant water resources in the area. It provides water to many fertile fields in its vicinity and is affected by droughts which is why it was selected as a study area. Meteorological data, such as monthly precipitation, that could represent the region were obtained between 1955 and 2020 from the general directorate of state water works and the general directorate of meteorology. According to the findings, the M04 model, whose input structure was developed using SPI, various time steps, data delayed up to 5 months, and monthly precipitation data from the preceding month (time t − 1), produced the best results out of all the models examined using machine learning algorithms. Among machine learning algorithms, SVM has achieved the most successful results not only before applying WT but also after WT. The best results were obtained from M04, in which SVM with WT was used (NSE = 0.9942, RMSE = 0.0764, R = 0.9971).
Long-term outcomes of high-dose-rate brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy without hormone therapy for high-risk localized prostate cancer
Authors: Kamitani Nobuhiko , Watanabe Kenta , Ikeda Naoki , Kawata Yujiro , Tokiya Ryoji , Hayashi Takafumi , Miyaji Yoshiyuki , Tamada Tsutomu , Katsui Kuniaki
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Until March 2018, patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer had been administered high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) combined with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) without additional hormone therapy (HT) at our institution. In this study, we aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes of this treatment.

Materials and methods

Patients with prostate cancer who received HDR-BT and EBRT between April 1997 and March 2021 and who were followed up for at least 6 months were included in the study. High-risk groups were classified into five levels according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. The EBRT and HDR-BT doses were 39–45 Gy/13–25 fractions. and 16.5–22 Gy/2–4 fractions, respectively. None of the patients received HT during initial treatment. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate biochemical freedom from failure (bFFF), cause-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) rates. Biochemical failure was also determined.

Results

Seventy-two patients were enrolled in the study, with a median follow-up of 91.9 months. The median age and initial prostate-specific antigen (iPSA) level were 71 years and 10.95 ng/mL, respectively. The median biologically effective dose for HDR-BT plus EBRT was 270.3 Gy. The 5- and 7-year bFFF, CSS, and OS rates were 85.2 and 74.2%, 100 and 100%, and 95.7 and 91.9%, respectively. Only the iPSA ≤ 20 group was associated with the higher bFFF rate. The 7-year bFFF rates in the groups with iPSA ≤ 20 and iPSA > 20 were 86.6 and 48.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

HDR-BT plus EBRT without HT might be an alternative treatment option for patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer and iPSA levels ≤ 20. Further studies are required to validate the efficacy of this treatment strategy.
Harmonic Morphisms from Fefferman Spaces
Authors: Dragomir Sorin , Esposito Francesco , Loubeau Eric
Published: July 2024

We study a ramification of a phenomenon discovered by Baird and Eells (in: Looijenga et al (eds) Geometry Symposium Utrecht 1980. Lecture Notes in Mathematics, Springer, Berlin, 1981) i.e. that non-constant harmonic morphisms $$\Phi : {{\mathfrak {M}}}^{\textrm{N}} \rightarrow N^2$$

Φ
:

M

N

→

N
2

from a $$\mathrm N$$
N
-dimensional ($$\textrm{N} \ge 3$$

N
≥
3

) Riemannian manifold $${{\mathfrak {M}}}^{\textrm{N}}$$

M

N

, into a Riemann surface $$N^2$$

N
2

, can be characterized as those horizontally weakly conformal maps having minimal fibres. We recover Baird–Eells’ result for $$S^1$$

S
1

invariant harmonic morphisms $$\Phi : {{\mathfrak {M}}}^{2n+2} \rightarrow N^2$$

Φ
:

M

2
n
+
2

→

N
2

from a class of Lorentzian manifolds arising as total spaces $${{\mathfrak {M}}} = C(M)$$

M
=
C
(
M
)

of canonical circle bundles $$S^1 \rightarrow {{\mathfrak {M}}} \rightarrow M$$

S
1

→
M
→
M

over strictly pseudoconvex CR manifolds $$M^{2n+1}$$

M

2
n
+
1

. The corresponding base maps $$\phi : M^{2n+1} \rightarrow N^2$$

ϕ
:

M

2
n
+
1

→

N
2

are shown to satisfy $$\lim _{\epsilon \rightarrow 0^+} \, \pi _{{{\mathscr {H}}}^\phi } \, \mu ^{{{\mathscr {V}}}^\phi }_\epsilon = 0$$

lim

ϵ
→

0
+

π

H

ϕ

μ
ϵ

V

ϕ

=
0

, where $$\mu ^{{{\mathscr {V}}}^\phi }_\epsilon $$

μ
ϵ

V

ϕ

is the mean curvature vector of the vertical distribution $${{\mathscr {V}}}^\phi = \textrm{Ker} (d \phi )$$

V

ϕ

=
Ker

(
d
ϕ
)

on the Riemannian manifold $$(M, \, g_\epsilon )$$

(
M
,

g
ϵ

)

, and $$\{ g_\epsilon \}_{0< \epsilon < 1}$$

{

g
ϵ

}

0
<
ϵ
<
1

is a family of contractions of the Levi form of the pseudohermitian manifold $$(M, \, \theta )$$

(
M
,

θ
)

.
Expanding the cacao group: three new species of Theobroma sect. Herrania (Malvaceae: Byttnerioideae) from the Western Amazon Basin
Authors: Colli-Silva Matheus , Richardson James Edward , Michelangeli Fabián A. , Pirani José Rubens
Published: July 2024

During the preparation of a taxonomic revision of Theobroma sensu lato (Malvaceae, Byttnerioideae), three new species of T. sect. Herrania were found: Theobroma globosum, T. nervosum and T. schultesii, which are described herein. Theobroma globosum and T. nervosum belong to T. sect. Herrania subsect. Subcymbicalyx, with species mostly found in the Amazon Basin, characterised, among other features, by petal ligules at least ten times longer than the petal claws. Theobroma schultesii is from T. sect. Herrania subsect. Herrania, with species with petal ligules less than ten times longer than the claw and is mainly found in the southern parts of the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, western Colombia, and northern Ecuador. Theobroma globosum is diagnosed by the combination of spherical fruits with smaller leaflets and midrib proportions when compared to other species from the same region. Theobroma nervosum is identified by its toothed, obovate leaflets with secondary veins protruding beyond the leaflet margins, forming elongated projections across the entire leaflet. Theobroma schultesii exhibits a unique set of features in T. sect. Herrania subsect. Herrania, having both petiolulate leaflets and a cupuliform calyx.
Amodal Completion: Mental Imagery or 3D Modeling?
Authors: Gauker Christopher
Published: July 2024

In amodal completion the mind in some sense completes the visual perceptual representation of a scene by representing parts of the scene hidden behind other objects. Cognitive science has had a lot to say about how amodal completion occurs but has had little to say about the format of the representations involved and the way in which they represent. Some philosophers hold that amodal completions take the form of sensory imaginings of the occluded portions. This theory poses a puzzle for both philosophy and neuroscience about how the occluded parts are imagined to be located relative to the unoccluded parts. A better theory begins with the observation that for many purposes it is useful to suppose that the mind contains mental models of three-dimensional structure. Visual perceptions and mental images may be conceived as mental models that represent external scenes by virtue of homomorphism and which possess both a deep aspect, representing both visible and occluded three-dimensional structure, and a perspectival aspect, representing only an arrangement of visible surfaces. In these terms we can explain various problem-solving abilities, such as the ability to imagine what a scene will look like from another point of view. Amodal completions can be treated as deep perceptual representations of three-dimensional structure. Thus amodal completions do not consist of mental imagery, but they can be used to generate mental imagery representing how a scene would look from alternative points of view.
Global semantics correlation transmitting and learning for sketch-based cross-domain visual retrieval
Authors: Jiao Shichao , Han Xie , Kuang Liqun , Xiong Fengguang , He Ligang
Published: July 2024

Sketch-based cross-domain visual data retrieval is the process of searching for images or 3D models using sketches as input. Achieving feature alignment is a significantly challenging task due to the high heterogeneity of cross-domain data. However, the alignment process faces significant challenges, such as domain gap, semantic gap, and knowledge gap. The existing methods adopt different ideas for sketch-based image and 3D shape retrieval tasks, one is domain alignment, and the other is semantic alignment. Technically, both tasks verify the accuracy of extracted features. Hence, we propose a method based on the global feature correlation and the feature similarity for multiple sketch-based cross-domain retrieval tasks. Specifically, the data from various modalities are fed into separate feature extractors to generate original features. Then, these features are projected to the shared subspace. Finally, domain consistency learning, semantic consistency learning, feature correlation learning and feature similarity learning are performed jointly to make the projected features modality-invariance. We evaluate our method on multiple benchmark datasets. Where the MAP in Sketchy, TU-Berlin, SHREC 2013 and SHREC 2014 are 0.466, 0.473, 0.860 and 0.816. The extensive experimental results demonstrate the superiority and generalization of the proposed method, compared to the state-of-the-art approaches. The in-depth analyses of various design choices are also provided to gain insight into the effectiveness of the proposed method. The outcomes of this research contribute to advancing the field of sketch-based cross-domain visual data retrieval and are expected to be applied to a variety of applications that require efficient retrieval of cross-domain domain data.
An end-to-end hand action recognition framework based on cross-time mechanomyography signals
Authors: Zhang Yue , Li Tengfei , Zhang Xingguo , Xia Chunming , Zhou Jie , Sun Maoxun
Published: July 2024

The susceptibility of mechanomyography (MMG) signals acquisition to sensor donning and doffing, and the apparent time-varying characteristics of biomedical signals collected over different periods, inevitably lead to a reduction in model recognition accuracy. To investigate the adverse effects on the recognition results of hand actions, a 12-day cross-time MMG data collection experiment with eight subjects was conducted by an armband, then a novel MMG-based hand action recognition framework with densely connected convolutional networks (DenseNet) was proposed. In this study, data from 10 days were selected as a training subset, and the remaining data from another 2 days were used as a test set to evaluate the model’s performance. As the number of days in the training set increases, the recognition accuracy increases and becomes more stable, peaking when the training set includes 10 days and achieving an average recognition rate of 99.57% (± 0.37%). In addition, part of the training subset is extracted and recombined into a new dataset and the better classification performances of models can be achieved from the test set. The method proposed effectively mitigates the adverse effects of sensor donning and doffing on recognition results.
Green Ironmaking at Higher H2 Pressure: Reduction Kinetics and Microstructure Formation During Hydrogen-Based Direct Reduction of Hematite Pellets
Authors: Özgün Özge , Dirba Imants , Gutfleisch Oliver , Ma Yan , Raabe Dierk
Published: July 2024

Hydrogen-based direct reduction (HyDR) of iron ores has attracted immense attention and is considered a forerunner technology for sustainable ironmaking. It has a high potential to mitigate CO2 emissions in the steel industry, which accounts today for ~ 8–10% of all global CO2 emissions. Direct reduction produces highly porous sponge iron via natural-gas-based or gasified-coal-based reducing agents that contain hydrogen and organic molecules. Commercial technologies usually operate at elevated pressure, e.g., the MIDREX process at 2 bar and the HyL/Energiron process at 6–8 bar. However, the impact of H2 pressure on reduction kinetics and microstructure evolution of hematite pellets during hydrogen-based direct reduction has not been well understood. Here, we present a study about the influence of H2 pressure on the reduction kinetics of hematite pellets with pure H2 at 700 °C at various pressures, i.e., 1, 10, and 100 bar under static gas exposure, and 1.3 and 50 bar under dynamic gas exposure. The microstructure of the reduced pellets was characterized by combining X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy equipped with electron backscatter diffraction. The results provide new insights into the critical role of H2 pressure in the hydrogen-based direct reduction process and establish a direction for future furnace design and process optimization.

Graphical Abstract
Durch Online-Veranstaltungen neue Zielgruppen erschließen? Befunde zur Angebotswahl erwachsener Lerner
Authors: Scheidig Falk
Published: July 2024

Das Angebot an Online-Veranstaltungen in der Erwachsenenbildung erfuhr durch die Corona-Pandemie eine Zunahme. Mit Blick auf Online-Veranstaltungen werden sowohl Teilnahmebarrieren und Limitationen als auch Vorteile wie die Ortsungebundenheit diskutiert. Damit verbindet sich die Frage, ob Bildungsanbieter mit Online-Veranstaltungen neue Teilnehmende gewinnen können – und ob auch bereits mit Präsenzangeboten erreichte Personen online teilnehmen. Hieran anknüpfend wird im Beitrag eine Studie vorgestellt, in deren Rahmen Teilnehmende von Online-Veranstaltungen (N = 1907) zu ihrem Belegungsverhalten befragt wurden. Der Fokus lag dabei auf Volkshochschulen (VHS), dem größten Erwachsenenbildungsanbieter in Deutschland. Den Ergebnissen zufolge kann fast die Hälfte der Online-Teilnehmenden nicht dem VHS-„Stammpublikum“ zugerechnet werden. Bezüglich der Formatabhängigkeit der Teilnahmeentscheidung zeigt die Befragung ferner, dass fallweise auch erfahrene VHS-Teilnehmende eine Online-Veranstaltung gegenüber einem inhaltsgleichen Präsenzangebot bevorzugen.
Synthesis of Co-Cr(0) and Co-Cr-B catalysts from bean pods extract by the green synthesis method and their application in sodium borohydride hydrolysis
Authors: Baytar Orhan , Şahin Ömer , Canpolat Gurbet , Ekinci Arzu
Published: July 2024

In this study, the effect of Co-Cr(0) and Co-Cr-B nanocatalysts on sodium borohydride hydrolysis was investigated. The extract obtained from the pods of the bean plant was produced using the environmentally friendly green synthesis method, along with the chemical reduction method as the production procedure for the catalysts. The analyses used to study the structure and surface morphology of catalysts are SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and XPS. From the SEM and TEM pictures, the shape of the catalysts comprises of tiny spheres and has a porous nanostructure, and the particle size is 35–40 nm. The XRD investigation revealed that the catalysts had an amorphous structure. The catalysts’ structure has been confirmed to include the components Co, Cr, and B using EDX and XPS analyses. It was examined how different amounts of catalyst, different NaBH4/NaOH concentrations, and different solution temperatures affected the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. The n-th order kinetic model was utilized to determine the activation energies of Co-Cr(0) and Co-Cr-B nanocatalysts, which were found to be 24.39 kJ/mol and 43.09 kJ/mol, respectively. Also, the turnover frequency (TOF) values of synthesized nanocatalysts Co-Cr(0) and Co-Cr-B at 60 °C were calculated as 19,210 mLmin− 1g− 1 and 12,410 mLmin− 1g− 1, respectively. The repeatability of catalysts in NaBH4 hydrolysis showed high activity even after the fifth use.

Graphical Abstract
The Response of the Earth Magnetosphere to Changes in the Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure: 1. Plasma and Magnetic Pressures
Authors: Eyelade A. V. , Stepanova M. , Espinoza C. M. , Antonova E. E. , Kirpichev I. P.
Published: July 2024

In the present study, the influence of the solar wind dynamic pressure on the plasma and magnetic pressures of the magnetosphere is studied. We use 11‐year Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) instruments for plasma and magnetic field measurements in the magnetosphere and the OMNI database for solar wind dynamic pressure and IMF data. We focus on the effects of the solar wind dynamic pressure (PSW) and consider only times in which the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) components are within ±5 nT. We find that the plasma pressure inside the magnetosphere follows the solar wind dynamic pressure and that an increase in PSW also influence the day‐night pressure asymmetry. Our analysis also reveals the existence of ion and electron drifts from midnight toward the dusk and dawn sectors, respectively. We observe a local magnetic pressure minimum located near a plasma pressure maximum at around 11 RE on the nightside. Comparing the effect of PSW on both plasma and magnetic pressures, we observe trends which are consistent with the diamagnetic properties of plasmas. In general, the distribution of plasma pressure within the Earth's magnetosphere is an important criterion for evaluating the magnetostatic equilibrium and electric current system. The outcome of this study should provide additional methodologies for the characterization of key plasma characteristics within the magnetosphere.
PLD1 is a key player in cancer stemness and chemoresistance: Therapeutic targeting of cross-talk between the PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin pathways
Authors: Lim Seong Hun , Lee Hyesung , Lee Hyun Ji , Kim Kuglae , Choi Junjeong , Han Jung Min , Min Do Sik
Published: July 2024

The development of chemoresistance is a major challenge in the treatment of several types of cancers in clinical settings. Stemness and chemoresistance are the chief causes of poor clinical outcomes. In this context, we hypothesized that understanding the signaling pathways responsible for chemoresistance in cancers is crucial for the development of novel targeted therapies to overcome drug resistance. Among the aberrantly activated pathways, the PI3K-Akt/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is clinically implicated in malignancies such as colorectal cancer (CRC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Aberrant dysregulation of phospholipase D (PLD) has been implicated in several malignancies, and oncogenic activation of this pathway facilitates tumor proliferation, stemness, and chemoresistance. Crosstalk involving the PLD and Wnt/β-catenin pathways promotes the progression of CRC and GBM and reduces the sensitivity of cancer cells to standard therapies. Notably, both pathways are tightly regulated and connected at multiple levels by upstream and downstream effectors. Thus, gaining deeper insights into the interactions between these pathways would help researchers discover unique therapeutic targets for the management of drug-resistant cancers. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms by which PLD signaling stimulates stemness and chemoresistance in CRC and GBM. Thus, the current review aims to address the importance of PLD as a central player coordinating cross-talk between the PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin pathways and proposes the possibility of targeting these pathways to improve cancer therapy and overcome drug resistance.
YAP1 inhibits the senescence of alveolar epithelial cells by targeting Prdx3 to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Su Wei , Guo Yingying , Wang Qianqian , Ma Lu , Zhang Qing , Zhang Yuhan , Geng Yiding , Jin Tongzhu , Guo Jiayu , Yang Ruoxuan , Niu Zhihui , Ren Lingxue , Wang Yan , Ning Zhiwei , Li Wenyue , He Wenxin , Sun Jian , Li Tianyu , Li Zhixin , Shan Hongli , Liang Haihai
Published: July 2024

The senescence of alveolar type II (AT2) cells impedes self-repair of the lung epithelium and contributes to lung injury in the setting of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is essential for cell growth and organ development; however, the role of YAP1 in AT2 cells during pulmonary fibrosis is still unclear. YAP1 expression was found to be downregulated in the AT2 cells of PF patients. Deletion of YAP1 in AT2 cells resulted in lung injury, exacerbated extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and worsened lung function. In contrast, overexpression of YAP1 in AT2 cells promoted alveolar regeneration, mitigated pulmonary fibrosis, and improved lung function. In addition, overexpression of YAP1 alleviated bleomycin (BLM) -induced senescence of alveolar epithelial cells both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, YAP1 promoted the expression of peroxiredoxin 3 (Prdx3) by directly interacting with TEAD1. Forced expression of Prdx3 inhibited senescence and improved mitochondrial dysfunction in BLM-treated MLE-12 cells, whereas depletion of Prdx3 partially abrogated the protective effect of YAP1. Furthermore, overexpression of Prdx3 facilitated self-repair of the injured lung and reduced ECM deposition, while silencing Prdx3 attenuated the antifibrotic effect of YAP1. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that YAP1 alleviates lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis by regulating Prdx3 expression to improve mitochondrial dysfunction and block senescence in AT2 cells, revealing a potential novel therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis.
Acoustofluidics-enhanced biosensing with simultaneously high sensitivity and speed
Authors: Li Yuang , Zhao Yang , Yang Yang , Zhang Wenchang , Zhang Yun , Sun Sheng , Zhang Lingqian , Li Mingxiao , Gao Hang , Huang Chengjun
Published: July 2024

Simultaneously achieving high sensitivity and detection speed with traditional solid-state biosensors is usually limited since the target molecules must passively diffuse to the sensor surface before they can be detected. Microfluidic techniques have been applied to shorten the diffusion time by continuously moving molecules through the biosensing regions. However, the binding efficiencies of the biomolecules are still limited by the inherent laminar flow inside microscale channels. In this study, focused traveling surface acoustic waves were directed into an acoustic microfluidic chip, which could continuously enrich the target molecules into a constriction zone for immediate detection of the immune reactions, thus significantly improving the detection sensitivity and speed. To demonstrate the enhancement of biosensing, we first developed an acoustic microfluidic chip integrated with a focused interdigital transducer; this transducer had the ability to capture more than 91% of passed microbeads. Subsequently, polystyrene microbeads were pre-captured with human IgG molecules at different concentrations and loaded for detection on the chip. As representative results, ~0.63, 2.62, 11.78, and 19.75 seconds were needed to accumulate significant numbers of microbeads pre-captured with human IgG molecules at concentrations of 100, 10, 1, and 0.1 ng/mL (~0.7 pM), respectively; this process was faster than the other methods at the hour level and more sensitive than the other methods at the nanomolar level. Our results indicated that the proposed method could significantly improve both the sensitivity and speed, revealing the importance of selective enrichment strategies for rapid biosensing of rare molecules.
CRISPR screens reveal convergent targeting strategies against evolutionarily distinct chemoresistance in cancer
Authors: Zhong Chunge , Jiang Wen-Jie , Yao Yingjia , Li Zexu , Li You , Wang Shengnan , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhu Wenjuan , Wu Siqi , Wang Jing , Fan Shuangshuang , Ma Shixin , Liu Yeshu , Zhang Han , Zhao Wenchang , Zhao Lu , Feng Yi , Li Zihan , Guo Ruifang , Yu Li , Pei Fengyun , Hu Jun , Feng Xingzhi , Yang Zihuan , Yang Zhengjia , Yang Xueying , Hou Yue , Zhang Danni , Xu Dake , Sheng Ren , Li Yihao , Liu Lijun , Wu Hua-Jun , Huang Jun , Fei Teng
Published: July 2024

Resistance to chemotherapy has been a major hurdle that limits therapeutic benefits for many types of cancer. Here we systematically identify genetic drivers underlying chemoresistance by performing 30 genome-scale CRISPR knockout screens for seven chemotherapeutic agents in multiple cancer cells. Chemoresistance genes vary between conditions primarily due to distinct genetic background and mechanism of action of drugs, manifesting heterogeneous and multiplexed routes towards chemoresistance. By focusing on oxaliplatin and irinotecan resistance in colorectal cancer, we unravel that evolutionarily distinct chemoresistance can share consensus vulnerabilities identified by 26 second-round CRISPR screens with druggable gene library. We further pinpoint PLK4 as a therapeutic target to overcome oxaliplatin resistance in various models via genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition, highlighting a single-agent strategy to antagonize evolutionarily distinct chemoresistance. Our study not only provides resources and insights into the molecular basis of chemoresistance, but also proposes potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies against such resistance.
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation (LIPUS) modulates microglial activation following intracortical microelectrode implantation
Authors: Li Fan , Gallego Jazlyn , Tirko Natasha N. , Greaser Jenna , Bashe Derek , Patel Rudra , Shaker Eric , Van Valkenburg Grace E. , Alsubhi Alanoud S. , Wellman Steven , Singh Vanshika , Padilla Camila Garcia , Gheres Kyle W. , Broussard John I. , Bagwell Roger , Mulvihill Maureen , Kozai Takashi D. Y.
Published: July 2024

Microglia are important players in surveillance and repair of the brain. Implanting an electrode into the cortex activates microglia, produces an inflammatory cascade, triggers the foreign body response, and opens the blood-brain barrier. These changes can impede intracortical brain-computer interfaces performance. Using two-photon imaging of implanted microelectrodes, we test the hypothesis that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation can reduce microglia-mediated neuroinflammation following the implantation of microelectrodes. In the first week of treatment, we found that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation increased microglia migration speed by 128%, enhanced microglia expansion area by 109%, and a reduction in microglial activation by 17%, indicating improved tissue healing and surveillance. Microglial coverage of the microelectrode was reduced by 50% and astrocytic scarring by 36% resulting in an increase in recording performance at chronic time. The data indicate that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation helps reduce the foreign body response around chronic intracortical microelectrodes.
Machine learning-enabled forward prediction and inverse design of 4D-printed active plates
Authors: Sun Xiaohao , Yue Liang , Yu Luxia , Forte Connor T. , Armstrong Connor D. , Zhou Kun , Demoly Frédéric , Zhao Ruike Renee , Qi H. Jerry
Published: July 2024

Shape transformations of active composites (ACs) depend on the spatial distribution of constituent materials. Voxel-level complex material distributions can be encoded by 3D printing, offering enormous freedom for possible shape-change 4D-printed ACs. However, efficiently designing the material distribution to achieve desired 3D shape changes is significantly challenging yet greatly needed. Here, we present an approach that combines machine learning (ML) with both gradient-descent (GD) and evolutionary algorithm (EA) to design AC plates with 3D shape changes. A residual network ML model is developed for the forward shape prediction. A global-subdomain design strategy with ML-GD and ML-EA is then used for the inverse material-distribution design. For a variety of numerically generated target shapes, both ML-GD and ML-EA demonstrate high efficiency. By further combining ML-EA with a normal distance-based loss function, optimized designs are achieved for multiple irregular target shapes. Our approach thus provides a highly efficient tool for the design of 4D-printed active composites.