bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composite component incremental consolidation for fiber waviness inhibition and its effect on damage progression of curved beams
Authors: He Yongxi , Zhang Yiqun , Zhang Jiacheng , Hu Naigang , Zhou Jinzhu , Bao Hong , Zhao Wenzhong
Published: May 2023

Severe fiber waviness defect often occurs during the consolidation process of fiber reinforced polymer composite component, which arises from that multiple interactional plies start to slide simultaneously and out‐of‐control under sufficient pressure. In this study, based on the significant in‐plane tension gradient along thickness of viscoelastic composite, a concept of incremental consolidation was proposed to actively inhibit fiber waviness in prepreg‐based composite component. Via applying a series of tiny step pressures continuously, plies were triggered to slide and consolidate layer by layer from top to bottom with a just‐right in‐plane tension and concurrent stresses relaxation. Incremental consolidation avoided the complex interaction among plies and allowed in‐plane tension to be significantly reduced by 165 times compared with autoclave processing with a constant pressure. The fiber waviness defects in a typical wing spar were successfully inhibited by the proposed method. The failure load of the component increased by 1.5 times and curved beam strength increased by 1.1 times while elastic displacement increased by 75%. The inhibition method was highly effective, easy to implement and affordable, which showed considerable promise to improve the manufacturability of the primary structural composite components.
Association of auditory Charles Bonnet syndrome with increased blood flow in the nondominant Brodmann area 22
Authors: Sakimoto Hitoshi , Urata Yuka , Ishizuka Takanori , Kimotsuki Hiroshi , Kasugai Motofumi , Fukuhara Ryuji , Sano Akira , Nakamura Masayuki
Published: May 2023

Aim

Auditory Charles Bonnet syndrome (aCBS) is characterized by musical hallucinations (MHs) that accompany acquired hearing impairments. This hallucination is the acoustic perception of music, sounds, or songs in the absence of an outside stimulus, and it may be associated with hyperactivity of the superior temporal lobes. Some studies have reported the possibility of improving MH with antiepileptics. To elucidate in detail the brain regions responsible for aCBS, we analyzed the regions that changed functionally after treatment.

Methods

Before and after treatment with carbamazepine (four cases), clonazepam (one case), and a hearing aid (one case), cerebral perfusion single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) were applied to six patients with hearing‐loss–associated MHs.

Results

Cerebral blood flow analysis using SPECT revealed hyperperfusion in Brodmann area (BA) 22—the posterior region of the superior temporal gyrus—in the nondominant hemisphere in all six patients in the pretreatment phase. After treatment, the hyperperfusion region improved in all patients. The area percentages with hyperperfusion in the nondominant BA22 were strongly positively correlated with the AHRS score.

Conclusion

The results suggest that aCBS, which was treatable with antiepileptics or hearing aids, was involved in hyperexcitement in BA22, and that MH strength was correlated with degree of excitement.
Comparison of characteristics of patients with lung cancer in U.K. primary care databases: Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum and GOLD
Authors: Gulikers J. L. , van Veelen A. J. , Driessen J. H. M. , Souverein P. C. , Tjan‐Heijnen V. C. G. , Hendriks L. E. L. , van Geel R. M. J. M. , Croes S.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

In recent years, the number of general practices contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) database GOLD is decreasing. Therefore, for research questions addressing for instance novel treatments requiring up‐to‐date data, sample size will become an important consideration in study feasibility. In recent years, CPRD Aurum, containing information of practices that use EMIS software, has become an additional data source that is being used for CPRD studies. In order to establish whether Aurum is suited to act as data source for future studies in the field of lung cancer research, we aimed to compare characteristics between patients with lung cancer in Aurum and GOLD.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed comparing characteristics and overall survival (OS) of patients with lung cancer in Aurum and GOLD. To further evaluate similarity, hypothetical eligibility of these patients in Aurum and GOLD was compared for 11 randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Results

Baseline characteristics registered in Aurum and GOLD were largely similar, with some clinically irrelevant differences for previous malignancies, deviant laboratory values and drug use. Median OS was 9.8 and 9.0 months for patients in Aurum and GOLD, respectively. Potential RCT eligibility varied between 49.4% and 79.5% and 49.1% and 78.1% for patients in Aurum and GOLD, respectively. Mortality rates and the comparison of the obtained HRs per hypothetical eligibility cohort per RCT were similar in Aurum and GOLD.

Conclusion

This study showed that data of patients with lung cancer in Aurum and GOLD are largely comparable, suggesting that Aurum is suitable for future epidemiological lung cancer research.
Glypicans, 35 years later
Authors: Filmus Jorge
Published: May 2023

Glypicans are a family of proteoglycans that are bound to the cell surface by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. These proteoglycans are highly conserved during evolution, and the mammalian genome contains six members of the family. Glypicans carry two to four heparan sulfate chains that are inserted near the carboxy terminus. The crystal structure reveals a densely packed cylindrical shape that is parallel to the cell surface. The functions of glypicans are mediated by the heparan sulfate chains and/or the core protein. One of the main functions of these proteoglycans is the regulation of the signaling pathways triggered by hedgehogs, Wnts, fibroblast growth factors, and bone morphogenetic proteins. Glypicans can either stimulate or inhibit the interaction of these growth factors with their signaling receptors. Studies in Drosophila have also shown that glypicans can regulate hedgehog, Wnt, and bone morphogenetic factor gradient formation. In addition, glypicans play important roles in the establishment of synapses and in neuron guidance and migration. Glypican mutations cause several developmental syndromes, and overexpression of these proteins contribute to the progression of various cancer types. In particular, glypican‐3 is currently being used as a marker for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinomas, and it is being targeted by several immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of this malignancy.
An unexpected isomerisation of Isoquinuclidines
Authors: Moura Rebeca G. , Batista Patrick R. , Ducati Lucas C. , Yamaguchi Lydia F. , Marzorati Liliana
Published: May 2023

The Diels–Alder reaction of three chiral dihydro‐2H‐[2,3‐a]oxazolopyridines with N‐methylmaleimide afforded the corresponding chiral cycloadducts as diastereomeric mixtures. In the presence of a solvent, some of the originally formed adducts underwent isomerisation to new isoquinuclidines.
Biochemical and structural characterization of meningococcal methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
Authors: Pantong Wanita , Pederick Jordan L. , Maenpuen Somchart , Tinikul Ruchanok , Jayapalan Jaime J. , Jovcevski Blagojce , Wegener Kate L. , Bruning John B. , Salaemae Wanisa
Published: May 2023

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key metabolic enzyme in colonization and virulence of Neisseria meningitidis, a causative agent of meningococcal diseases. Here, the biochemical and structural properties of MTHFR from a virulent strain of N. meningitidis serogroup B (NmMTHFR) were characterized. Unlike other orthologs, NmMTHFR functions as a unique homohexamer, composed of three homo‐dimerization partners, as shown in our 2.7 Å resolution crystal structure. Six active sites were formed solely within monomers and located away from the oligomerization interfaces. Flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor formed hydrogen bonds with conserved sidechains, positioning its isoalloxazine ring adjacent to the overlapping binding sites of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) coenzyme and CH2‐H4folate substrate. NmMTHFR utilized NADH (Km = 44 μM) as an electron donor in the NAD(P)H‐CH2‐H4folate oxidoreductase assay, but not nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) which is the donor required in human MTHFR. In silico analysis and mutagenesis studies highlighted the significant difference in orientation of helix α7A (Phe215–Thr225) with that in the human enzyme. The extended sidechain of Met221 on helix α7A plays a role in stabilizing the folded structure of NADH in the hydrophobic box. This supports the NADH specificity by restricting the phosphate group of NADPH that causes steric clashes with Glu26. The movement of Met221 sidechain allows the CH2‐H4folate substrate to bind. The unique topology of its NADH and CH2‐H4folate binding pockets makes NmMTHFR a promising drug target for the development of new antimicrobial agents that may possess reduced off‐target side effects.
Evaluation of initial prostate cancer biopsies utilizing 3D open‐top light‐sheet microscopy for detection of early disease
Authors: Mo George , Reder Nicholas P. , Schweizer Michael T.
Published: May 2023

Background

Open‐top light‐sheet (OTLS) microscopy is a technique that allows for high‐resolution 3D imaging of tissue specimens and can therefore provide a more detailed assessment of tissue architecture. Given that Gleason grading is based on tissue architecture, we hypothesized that OTLS microscopy would enable us to survey a larger amount of tissue and detect occult prostate cancers in men who had prostate core biopsy specimens initially classified as being benign‐appearing who later developed clinically significant prostate cancers.

Methods

Benign appearing tissue (based on routine pathologic evaluation) from 20 patients who subsequently developed a clinically significant prostate cancer (experimental group) was evaluated with OTLS microscopy and compared to tissue from 20 patients who underwent prostate biopsy and never developed a clinically significant prostate cancer (control group). We compared the incidence of detectable prostate cancer between groups.

Results

Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between the experimental and control groups. Three patients (15%) in the control group and one (5%) in the experimental group had suspicious findings on low‐resolution OTLS microscopy. Higher resolution OTLS imaging revealed two patients (10%) in the control group had an occult prostate cancer, while no occult cancers were found in the experimental group.

Conclusion

In spite of a high pretest probability for the presence of an occult prostate cancer, we did not identify cancer in our experimental group. This may be due to under‐sampling at the time of prostate needle biopsy.
A Computational Study on the Radical Cascade Cyclization Mechanism of Synthesis of Benzo[b]oxepinones and Chromanes
Authors: Fıstıkçı Meryem
Published: May 2023

A computational study on the reaction mechanism of the effective synthesis of sulfonated benzo[b]oxepinones and chromanes by radical cascade cyclization is carried out employing the density functional theory (DFT). Based on our computations, the rate‐determining step is the formation of arylsulfonyl radical for the reaction scheme. Our calculations show that the reaction of 1,8‐ and 1,7‐enynes with arylsulfonyl radical proceeds by forming more thermodynamically stable intermediates. Therefore, 1,8‐enynes prefer 7‐exo‐trig cyclization, while 1,7‐enynes prefer 6‐exo‐trig cyclization. Our computations are consistent with experimental results of the radical cascade cyclization of 1,8‐ and 1,7‐enynes. Moreover, our computations show that if the reaction is carried out in a proton‐free solvent, the elimination product can be obtained from the cascade radical cyclization of the 1,7‐enyne.
Trauma history predicts depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms better than a psychiatric diagnosis: Comparing wartime, routine time, and early COVID‐19 in Israel
Authors: Gelkopf Marc , Berger Rony , Dicker‐Oren Sheila Daniela , Lapid Pickman Liron , Greene Talya
Published: May 2023

Individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis and those with a history of trauma are at high risk for depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) following exposure to new traumatic events. Nevertheless, research is scarce on how having both a psychiatric diagnosis and a trauma history affect reactions to new traumatic events, and how different trauma types may affect individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis. We thus examined whether different stressful contexts (War and COVID‐19) affected individuals with and without a psychiatric diagnosis differentially and whether results might be explained by prior trauma exposure. In the same cohort, we assessed depression and PTSS during wartime (2014), routine time (2016), and during the COVID‐19 pandemic (2020) in a sample with (n = 89) and without (n = 104) a self‐reported psychiatric diagnosis. This cohort was recruited during the 2014 Israel‐Gaza War using social media, snowballing and outreach to mental health rehabilitation centres. We used a linear mixed modelling approach on data from the entire sample, as well as on the two study groups separately. We found that trauma history predicted PTSS and depression whereas a history of psychiatric diagnosis did not. Regarding trauma types, we found that individuals in the psychiatric diagnosis group relative to themselves had more symptoms during COVID‐19 compared to war and routine time, while those without diagnosis had more PTSS and depression symptoms during wartime compared to routine time and COVID‐19. In conclusion, a traumatic past may have an important influence on reactions to different types of traumatic events. Distinct traumatic events may affect individuals with or without a psychiatric diagnosis differentially.
Extracellular Vesicle‐Conjugated Functional Matrix Hydrogels Prevent Senescence by Exosomal miR‐3594‐5p‐Targeted HIPK2/p53 Pathway for Disc Regeneration
Authors: Peng Yizhong , Chen Xuanzuo , Liu Sheng , Wu Wei , Shu Hongyang , Tian Shuo , Xiao Yan , Li Kanglu , Wang BaiChuan , Lin Hui , Qing Xiangcheng , Shao Zengwu
Published: May 2023

Nucleus pulposus stem cells (NPSCs) senescence plays a critical role in the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Stem cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (EV) alleviate cellular senescence. Whereas, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Low stability largely limited the administration of EV in vivo. RGD, an arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid tripeptide, strongly binds integrins expressed on the EV membranes, allowing RGD to anchor EV and prolong their bioavailability. An RGD‐complexed nucleus pulposus matrix hydrogel (RGD‐DNP) is developed to enhance the therapeutic effects of small EV (sEV). RGD‐DNP prolonged sEV retention in vitro and ex vivo. sEV‐RGD‐DNP promoted NPSCs migration, decreased the number of SA‐β‐gal‐positive cells, alleviated cell cycle arrest, and reduced p16, p21, and p53 activation. Small RNA‐seq showed that miR‐3594‐5p is enriched in sEV, and targets the homeodomain‐interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2)/p53 pathway. The HIPK2 knockdown rescues the impaired therapeutic effects of sEV with downregulated miR‐3594‐5p. RGD‐DNP conjugate with lower amounts of sEV achieved similar disc regeneration with free sEV of higher concentrations in DNP. In conclusion, sEV‐RGD‐DNP increases sEV bioavailability and relieves NPSCs senescence by targeting the HIPK2/p53 pathway, thereby alleviating IDD. This work achieves better regenerative effects with fewer sEV and consolidates the theoretical basis for sEV application for IDD treatment.
Design of Size‐Controlled Sulfur Nanoparticle Cathodes for Lithium‐Sulfur Aviation Batteries
Authors: Liu Jianpeng , Cheng Chang , Wang Tianle , Zhu Juncheng , Li Zhong , Ao Guang , Zhu Wenliang , Pezzotti Giuseppe , Zhu Jiliang
Published: May 2023

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery has been considered as a strong contender for commercial aerospace battery, but the commercialization requires Ah‐level pouch cells with both efficient discharge at high rates and ultra‐high energy density. In this paper, the application of lithium–sulfur batteries for powering drones by using the cathode of highly dispersed sulfur nanoparticles with well‐controlled particle sizes have been realized. The sulfur nanoparticles are prepared by a precipitation method in an eco‐friendly and efficient way, and loaded on graphene oxide‐cetyltrimethylammonium bromide by molecular grafting to realize a large‐scale fabrication of sulfur‐based cathodes with superior electrochemical performance. A button cell based on the cathode exhibits an excellent discharge capacity of 62.8 mAh cm−2 at a high sulfur loading of 60 mg cm−2 (i.e., 1046.7 mAh g−1). The assembled miniature pouch cell (PCmini) shows a discharge capacity of 130 mAh g−1, while the formed Ah‐level pouch cell (PCAh) achieves energy density of 307 Wh kg−1 at 0.3C and 92 Wh kg−1 at 4C. Especially, a four‐axis propeller drone powered by the PC has successfully completed a long flight (>3 min) at high altitudes, demonstrating the practical applicability as aviation batteries.
Scale‐Spanning Strong Adhesion Using Cellulose‐Based Microgels
Authors: He Bei , Chen Lizhen , Biehl Philip , Meng Xintong , Chen Wenbo , Xu Dan , Ren Junli , Zhang Kai
Published: May 2023

Adhesive gels derived from biobased sustainable materials have extremely broad application prospects, such as in flexible smart materials and biomedicine fields. Combining high toughness and strong, persisting repeatable adhesion has always been a daunting challenge for adhesive gels. However, bulk gels based on polysaccharides as the most abundant bio‐based compounds usually possess a high toughness but weak interfacial adhesion due to the strong hydration potential. Herein, a novel kind of highly tough microgel membranes with rough surfaces is fabricated using loosely chemically cross‐linked dihydroxypropyl cellulose (cDHPC) microgels (average size = 1.25 ± 0.03 µm). Such microgel membranes exhibit strong, instant, and persisting adhesion to various substrates with different surface roughness. Slight chemical cross‐linking and multiple physical interactions within microgels and resulting microgel membranes lead to high tensile strength and toughness of 0.23 ± 0.03 MPa and 73.8 ± 9.3 KJ m−3, respectively. The maximum adhesive strength and debonding work exceed 320 ± 0.50 KPa and 160.97 ± 0.20 J m−2, respectively. After five cycles (re‐lap after detaching), the adhesive strength still remains above 200 KPa. Their adhesive properties outperform most bio‐based adhesive gels and even petroleum‐based gels, which are based on synergistic molecular and microscaled topological interactions.
Constraint‐aware and multi‐objective optimization for micro‐service composition in mobile edge computing
Authors: Wu Jintao , Zhang Jingyi , Zhang Yiwen , Wen Yiping
Published: May 2023

As a new paradigm of distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC) has gained increasing attention due to its ability to expand the capabilities of centralized cloud computing. In MEC environments, a software application typically consists of multiple micro‐services, which can be composed together in a flexible manner to achieve various user requests. However, the composition of micro‐services in MEC is still a challenging research issue arising from three aspects. Firstly, composite micro‐services constructed by ignoring the processing capabilities of different micro‐services may cause waste of edge resources. Secondly, edge servers' limitations in terms of computational power can easily cause service occupancy between composite micro‐services, severely affecting the user experience. Thirdly, in dynamic and unstable mobile environments, different edge users have different sensitivities to request latency, which increases the complexity of micro‐service composition. In order to improve edge resource utilization and user experience on micro‐service invocations, in this paper, we comprehensively consider the above three factors, and we first model the micro‐services composition problem in MEC as a constrained multi‐objective optimization problem. Then, a micro‐service composition optimization method M3C combining graph search and branch‐and‐bound strategy is proposed to find a composition solution set with low energy consumption and high success rate for multiple edge users. Finally, we perform a series of experiments on two widely used datasets. Experimental results show that our proposed approach significantly outperforms the four competing baseline approaches, and that it is sufficiently efficient for practical deployment.
Study on Error Compensation Method of Online Roll Profile Measurement
Authors: Xing Jiankang , Peng Yan , Sun Jianliang , Liu Caiyi , Barella Silvia , Gruttadauria Andrea , Belfi Marco , Mapelli Carlo
Published: May 2023

Flatness and surface quality are important quality indexes of strip steel, and roll wear will directly affect the product's flatness and surface quality. Online roll profile measurement technology can obtain the information of roll profile in real time, guide the optimization of roll change rhythm, and improve the flatness control ability of rolling mill and surface quality of strip product. However, the error caused by roll displacement, clearance, roll thermal crown, and other factors is usually the same order of magnitude as the roll shape or roll wear, or even one order of magnitude higher. So error compensation is the key to ensuring the accuracy of online roll profile measurement. Herein, the position measurement technology of the roll bearing block is considered in the online roll profile measurement, and the measurement error caused by the deviation of the roll axis is separated. The thermal crown model is established to separate the measurement errors caused by the thermal crown. The error compensation model of online roll profile measurement is established, and the simulation calculation is carried out. This error compensation method is of great significance to improve the accuracy of online roll profile measurement and realize the fine management of mill roll in service.
Axis‐Unfixed Biphenylphosphine‐Oxazoline Ligands: Design and Applications in Asymmetric Catalytic Reactions
Authors: Nie Yu , Yuan Qianjia , Zhang Wanbin
Published: May 2023

The design and synthesis of chiral ligands plays an important role in asymmetric catalytic reactions. Over the past decades, various types of chiral phosphine‐oxazolines (PHOX ligands) have been developed and have greatly advanced the field of asymmetric catalysis. Novel chiral PHOX ligand with an axis‐unfixed biphenyl backbone, developed by our group, have shown interesting coordination behavior and excellent chiral inducing ability in various transition‐metal‐catalyzed asymmetric reactions. This personal account focuses on our developed axis‐unfixed biphenylphosphine‐oxazoline ligand (BiphPHOX), including an overview of its design and applications, which will provide inspiration for the exploration of novel ligands and related reactions.
Pachymic acid ameliorates bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats
Authors: Li Lin , Jin Rong‐jie , Ji Lu
Published: May 2023

The effect of pachymic acid (PA) on pulmonary fibrosis in rats was expected to be investigated in this study. Firstly, bleomycin (BLM) was used to establish pulmonary fibrosis rat model, then PA (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg) was intragastrically administered to the rats for 14 days. Subsequently, a variety of tests was performed to observe changes in sample tissues after different treatments. Briefly, the degree of pulmonary edema in rats was assessed through dry/wet weight ratio. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to observe the pathological injury and fibrosis of lung tissue. Biochemical kits were applied to measure the levels of hydroxyproline (Hyp), transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TGFβ‐1), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in rat lung tissues of each group. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in rat lung tissue was tested using qRT‐PCR. Additionally, the western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of pulmonary fibrosis‐related proteins and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‐related proteins in each group of rat lung tissue. By virtue of experimental verification above, PA was discovered to alleviate BLM‐induced pulmonary edema, pulmonary fibrosis and histopathological damage. On the one hand, PA treatment decreased Hyp and TGF‐β1 levels and down‐regulated pulmonary fibrosis‐related protein expression [collagen I, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), and fibronectin] in the lung tissue of BLM rats. On the other hand, it significantly increased the levels of SOD, CAT and ATP while decreased the activities of MDA and ROS in BLM rat lung tissues. In addition, the expression levels of ER stress‐related proteins [glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Caspase 9, and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)] were significantly down‐regulated in the lung tissue of BLM rats after PA treatment. Collectively, PA may ameliorate BLM‐induced pulmonary fibrosis and histopathological damage in rats through inhibiting ER stress and improving mitochondrial function.
The HDAC2/YY1/c‐Myc signaling axis regulates lung cancer cell migration and proliferation
Authors: Ali Arshad , Ali Ayaz , Devi Hema S. , Daddam Jayasimha R. , Sarwar Rabiah , Badrealam Farheen Khan
Published: May 2023

Lung cancer is among the most aggressive types of malignant tumors that contributes to cancer‐associated deaths worldwide with a high occurrence and fatality rate. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), prevent the aberrant transcription of a number of genes that are primarily responsible for controlling the cell cycle, cell proliferation, and signaling pathways in numerous cancers. Previous studies reported the role of HDACs and YY1 in the growth and development of several cancers. Although, it is noteworthy that remarkable efforts have been taken for the treatment of lung cancer using molecularly targeted therapies and chemotherapeutic agents, but the outcome is still poor for this critically persistent cancer. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to identify an efficacious, novel therapeutic biomarkers for the successful diagnosis of lung cancer at the early stage of the disease and the molecular insights involved. In the present study, qPCR and western bot data revealed that the expression level of HDAC2 and YY1 were upregulated in the cell lines and tumor samples of lung cancer patients. Moreover, MTT, qPCR, western blot, cell cycle analysis, and migration assays showed that inhibition of HDAC2 reduced YY1 expression, similarly, depletion of YY1 using knockdown approach inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and blockage of the cell cycle by suppressing c‐Myc in lung cancer cell lines. In conclusion, the current study findings support the notion that HDAC2's anticancer role was attributed through YY1 regulation by targeting c‐Myc and could act as potential novel candidate biomarker for the lung cancer diagnosis.
Enhancing silica dispersion and interfacial interaction in styrene butadiene/silica rubber composites by using epoxidized styrene butadiene rubber as interfacial compatibilizer
Authors: Xiao Tongchang , Wan Lin , Dong Fuwei , Shang Zihao , Cui Ziwen , Wei Liping , Liu Yingjun , Du Aihua
Published: May 2023

It is usually desired but often challenging to improve the wet traction, and reduce the abrasion and rolling resistance simultaneously in tread rubber, which is referred to as “magic triangle” in tire industry. To fulfill this goal, the filler dispersion and interfacial interaction required to be improved, as they are two essential factors to concurrently govern the ultimate properties of rubber composites. Herein, we synthesized the epoxidized solution polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (ESSBR) with different epoxy level, and used them as interfacial compatibilizer to promote the silica dispersion and silica/rubber interfacial interaction. The epoxy of ESSBR would react with silanol on silica surface and co‐crosslink with SSBR simultaneously, therefore build a strong bridge between rubber matrix and filler. By incorporation of 20 phr of ESSBR‐15% (15% of double bonds on main chain was epoxidized), the wet grip was improved by 40%, and DIN abrasion and rolling resistance were reduced by 38% and 21%, respectively with hardly sacrifice the mechanical properties. We envisage that this study provides an approach for the fabrication of rubber composites with improved silica dispersion and strengthened interfacial interaction.
High Reynolds number unsteadiness assessment using 3D and 2D computational fluid dynamics simulations of a thick aerofoil equipped with a spoiler
Authors: Potentier Thomas , Guilmineau Emmanuel , Finez Arthur , Le Bourdat Colin , Braud Caroline
Published: May 2023

An operating 2‐MW wind turbine has been scanned and analysed using 2D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and blade element momentum (BEM) analysis. The current work illustrates using full‐scale 3D CFD simulations the differences between 2D and 3D simulations and its impact on the local aerofoil vortex shedding frequency. The outcome shows that despite a pressure redistribution and lift change introduced by the blade span and rotation, the vortex shedding frequency remains similar between 2D and 3D thereby validating the novel fatigue calculation method previously proposed.
Timelike entanglement entropy
Authors: Doi Kazuki , Harper Jonathan , Mollabashi Ali , Takayanagi Tadashi , Taki Yusuke
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We define a new complex-valued measure of information called the timelike entanglement entropy (EE) which in the boundary theory can be viewed as a Wick rotation that changes a spacelike boundary subregion to a timelike one. An explicit definition of the timelike EE in 2d field theories is provided followed by numerical computations which agree with the analytic continuation of the replica method for CFTs. We argue that timelike EE should be correctly interpreted as another measure previously considered, the pseudo entropy, which is the von Neumann entropy of a reduced transition matrix. Our results strongly imply that the imaginary part of the pseudo entropy describes an emergent time which generalizes the notion of an emergent space from quantum entanglement. For holographic systems we define the timelike EE as the total complex valued area of a particular stationary combination of both space and timelike extremal surfaces which are homologous to the boundary region. For the examples considered we find explicit matching of our optimization procedure and the careful implementation of the Wick rotation in the boundary CFT. We also make progress on higher dimensional generalizations and relations to holographic pseudo entropy in de Sitter space.
A quantum mechanics for magnetic horizons
Authors: Benini Francesco , Soltani Saman , Zhang Ziruo
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We construct an $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetric gauged quantum mechanics, by starting from the 3d Chern-Simons-matter theory holographically dual to massive Type IIA string theory on AdS4× S6, and Kaluza-Klein reducing on S2 with a background that is dual to the asymptotics of static dyonic BPS black holes in AdS4. The background involves a choice of gauge fluxes, that we fix via a saddle-point analysis of the 3d topologically twisted index at large N. The ground-state degeneracy of the effective quantum mechanics reproduces the entropy of BPS black holes, and we expect its low-lying spectrum to contain information about near-extremal horizons. Interestingly, the model has a large number of statistically-distributed couplings, reminiscent of SYK models.
On genus-0 invariants of Calabi-Yau hybrid models
Authors: Erkinger David , Knapp Johanna
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We compute genus zero correlators of hybrid phases of Calabi-Yau gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs), i.e. of phases that are Landau-Ginzburg orbifolds fibered over some base. These correlators are generalisations of Gromov-Witten and FJRW invariants. Using previous results on the structure of the of the sphere- and hemisphere partition functions of GLSMs when evaluated in different phases, we extract the I-function and the J-function from a GLSM calculation. The J-function is the generating function of the correlators. We use the field theoretic description of hybrid models to identify the states that are inserted in these correlators. We compute the invariants for examples of one- and two-parameter hybrid models. Our results match with results from mirror symmetry and FJRW theory.
On (scalar QED) gravitational positivity bounds
Authors: Hamada Yuta , Kuramochi Rinto , Loges Gregory J. , Nakajima Sota
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We study positivity bounds in the presence of gravity. We first review the gravitational positivity bound at the tree-level, where it is known that a certain amount of negativity is allowed for the coefficients of higher-derivative operators. The size of these potentially negative contributions is estimated for several tree-level, Reggeized gravitational amplitudes which are unitary at high energies and feature the t-channel pole characteristic of graviton exchange. We also argue for the form of the one-loop Regge amplitude assuming that the branch cut structure associated with the exchange of the graviton and higher-spin particles is reflected. We demonstrate how the one-loop Regge amplitude appears by summing over Feynman diagrams. For our one-loop amplitude proposal, the positivity bounds generically receive a finite contribution from the Regge tower and do not lead to a parametrically small bound on the cut-off scale of the low-energy EFT, consistent with recent studies based on sum rules of the amplitude.
To cut or not to cut? A prospective randomized controlled trial on short-term outcomes of the uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric cancer
Authors: Xu Hao , Yang Li , Zhang Dian-Cai , Li Zheng , Li Qing-Ya , Wang Lin-Jun , Li Feng-Yuan , Wang Wei-Zhi , Xia Yi-Wen , Xu Ze-Kuan
Published: May 2023

Background

Roux-en-Y (R-Y) anastomoses have been widely used in distal gastrectomy, while the incidence of Roux stasis syndrome remains common. Uncut R-Y anastomosis maintains the neuromuscular continuity, thus avoiding the ectopic pacemaker of the Roux limb and reducing the occurrence of Roux stasis. However, retrospective studies of Uncut R-Y anastomosis remain scarce and randomized controlled trials have not been reported.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the surgical safety, nutritional status, and postoperative quality of life (QOL) between uncut and classic Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction patients. Patients with Stage I gastric cancer were randomly enrolled and underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy followed by uncut or classic R-Y reconstruction. Body mass index and blood test were used to evaluate the nutritional status. QOL was evaluated using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire (STO22) and laboratory examinations at postoperative month (POM) 3, 6, 9, and 12. Computed tomography scanning was used to evaluate the skeletal muscle index (SMI) at POM 6 and 12. Endoscopy was performed at POM 12.

Results

Operation time, blood loss, time to recovery, complication morbidities, and overall survival were similar between the two groups. Compared with the classic R-Y group, the uncut R-Y group displayed a significantly decreased QOL at POM 9, possibly due to loop recanalization, determined to be occupied 34.2% of the uncut R-Y group. Post-exclusion of recanalization, the QOL was still higher in the classic R-Y group than in the uncut R-Y group, despite their hemoglobin and total protein levels being better than those in the classic R-Y group. Preoperative pre-albumin level and impaired fasting glycemia significantly correlated with the postoperative recanalization.

Conclusion

We found no significant benefit of uncut over classic R-Y reconstruction which challenges the superiority of the uncut R-Y reconstruction.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02644148.
The heterogeneity of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Wüllner Ullrich , Borghammer Per , Choe Chi-un , Csoti Ilona , Falkenburger Björn , Gasser Thomas , Lingor Paul , Riederer Peter
Published: May 2023

The heterogeneity of Parkinson’s disease (PD), i.e. the various clinical phenotypes, pathological findings, genetic predispositions and probably also the various implicated pathophysiological pathways pose a major challenge for future research projects and therapeutic trail design. We outline several pathophysiological concepts, pathways and mechanisms, including the presumed roles of α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation, Lewy bodies, oxidative stress, iron and melanin, deficient autophagy processes, insulin and incretin signaling, T-cell autoimmunity, the gut–brain axis and the evidence that microbial (viral) agents may induce molecular hallmarks of neurodegeneration. The hypothesis is discussed, whether PD might indeed be triggered by exogenous (infectious) agents in susceptible individuals upon entry via the olfactory bulb (brain first) or the gut (body-first), which would support the idea that disease mechanisms may change over time. The unresolved heterogeneity of PD may have contributed to the failure of past clinical trials, which attempted to slow the course of PD. We thus conclude that PD patients need personalized therapeutic approaches tailored to specific phenomenological and etiologic subtypes of disease.
Assessing Energetic Pathways and Time Lags in Estuarine Food Webs
Authors: Sinnickson Dylan , Harris Holden E. , Chagaris David
Published: May 2023

Detecting strong species interactions in food webs is often challenging due to difficulties related to adequate experimentation and the prevalence of generalist diets throughout nature. A promising new mathematical technique, empirical dynamic modeling (EDM), has demonstrated the potential to identify trophic interactions between populations by assessing time lags between associated time series. We attempted to analyze trophic linkages both within a subtropical estuary, as well as a simulated, theoretical ecosystem, to determine how energy moves through these systems. Additionally, we intended to evaluate the technique’s ability to detect biological relationships in ecosystems of different complexity. In both datasets, we were able to clearly identify strong consumer—resource interactions, which were generally related to bottom-up drivers. Overall, trophic connections at lower trophic levels were more easily detected than linkages higher in the food web. The ability of EDM to detect food web interactions appeared to be strongly influenced by the degree of observation error exhibited in the data. In the empirical dataset, several examples of bottom-up processes were clearly evident including effects of discharge, nutrients, and/or chlorophyll-aconcentrations on anchovies (Anchoaspp.), Gulf flounder (Paralichthys albiguttata), and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). We also observed instances where lengths of time lags decreased as trophic level distances between consumers and resources decreased (for example, Anchovies, Gulf flounder, young-of-the-year seatrout). This analysis demonstrates the promising application of EDM to detect energetic pathways in systems of varying complexity.
Views on Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and 3D Printing in Modern Medicine and Education: A Qualitative Exploration of Expert Opinion
Authors: Urlings Julie , de Jong Guido , Maal Thomas , Henssen Dylan
Published: May 2023

Although an increased usage and development of 3D technologies is observed in healthcare over the last decades, full integration of these technologies remains challenging. The goal of this project is to qualitatively explore challenges, pearls, and pitfalls of AR/VR/3D printing applications usage in the medical field of a university medical center. Two rounds of face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured protocol. First an explorative round was held, interviewing medical specialists (8), PhD students (7), 3D technology specialists (5), and university teachers (3). In the second round, twenty employees in high executive functions of relevant departments were interviewed on seven statements that resulted from the first interviewing round. Data analysis was performed using direct content analyses. The first interviewing round resulted in challenges and opportunities in 3D technology usage that were grouped in 5 themes: aims of using AR/VR/3D printing (1), data acquisition (2), data management plans (3), software packages and segmentation tools (4), and output data and reaching end-user (5). The second interviewing round resulted in an overview of ideas and insights on centralization of knowledge, improving implementation of 3D technology in daily healthcare, reimbursement of 3D technologies, recommendations for further studies, and requirement of using certified software. An overview of challenges and opportunities of 3D technologies in healthcare was provided. Well-designed studies on clinical effectiveness, implementation and cost-effectiveness are warranted for further implementation into the clinical setting.
A Network-DEA model to evaluate the impact of quality and access on hospital performance
Authors: Afonso G. P. , Ferreira D. C. , Figueira J. R.
Published: May 2023

The relationship between efficiency, quality, and access in healthcare is far from being well defined. In particular, there is no consensus on whether there is a trade-off between hospital performance and its social dimensions, such as the care appropriateness, safety, and access to proper health care. This study proposes a new approach based on the Network Data Envelopment Analysis (NDEA) to evaluate the existence of potential trade-offs between efficiency, quality, and access. The aim is to contribute for the heated debate around this topic with a novel approach. The suggested methodology combines a NDEA model with the weak disposability of outputs to handle with undesirable outputs related to the poor quality of care or the lack of access to appropriate and safe care. This combination results in a more realistic approach that has not yet been used to investigate this topic. We utilised data of the Portuguese National Health Service from 2016 to 2019, with four models and nineteen variables selected to quantify the efficiency, quality, and access to public hospital care in Portugal. A baseline efficiency score was calculated and compared with the performance scores obtained under two hypothetical scenarios to quantify the impact of each quality/access-related dimension on efficiency. The first scenario considers that each variable, individually, is at its best situation (for example, absence of septicaemia cases), and the second one, at its worst (e.g., all seen inpatients had a septicaemia case). The findings suggest that there might exist meaningful trade-offs between efficiency, quality, and access. Most variables exhibited a considerable and negative impact on the overall hospital efficiency. That is, we may expect a trade-off between efficiency and quality/access.
Climate science to inform adaptation policy: Heat waves over India in the 1.5°C and 2°C warmer worlds
Authors: T Arulalan , AchutaRao Krishna , Sagar Ambuj D
Published: May 2023

Developing a better scientific understanding of anthropogenic climate change and climate variability, especially the prediction/projection of climate futures with useful temporal and geographical resolution and quantified uncertainties, and using that knowledge to inform adaptation planning and action will become crucially important in the coming years. Generating such policy-relevant knowledge may be particularly important for developing countries such as India. It is with this backdrop that, in this paper, we analyze future heat waves in India by using observations and a large number of model simulations of historical, + 1.5 °C, and + 2.0 °C warmer worlds. In both the future scenarios, there is an increased probability of heat waves during June and July when the Indian monsoon is in full swing and humidity is high, which makes the heat events even more of a health risk. While the highest temperatures in heat waves may not increase much in future climates, the duration and areal extent of the heat waves will most likely increase, leading to the emergence of new heat wave-prone zones in India. The results indicate that the joint frequencies of the longest duration and large area events could be nearly threefold greater in the + 1.5 °C and fivefold greater in the + 2.0 °C future scenarios compared to historical simulations. Thus, overall, the study indicates a substantial increase in the risk of heat events that typically elicit warnings from forecasters. The likely widespread and persistent nature of heat wave events in the future, as revealed by this study, will require planning and adaptation measures beyond the short-term disaster planning frameworks currently in place. Exploring what these measures might look like is beyond the scope of this study, but it underlines the importance of developing climate knowledge with high temporal and geographical resolution capable of informing adaptation policy and planning.
Sustainable and circularity in the decentralized hybrid solar-bioenergy system
Authors: Matheri Anthony Njuguna , Nabadda Esther , Mohamed Belaid
Published: May 2023

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are fundamental to circular economy, climate action, sustainable digital environment initiatives that addresses the higher need of shifting towards fully sustainable and renewable energy systems. The decentralized power system has been applied and interconnected to the system and accounting to the renewable energy mix, energy storage and distribution. A decentralized hybrid renewable energy system can be of much help in providing a deficit of power between energy generation and demand where a single renewable energy system is not sustainable and reliable. The aim of this study was to characterize the biomass, perform the biomethane potential test of the biomass, select suitable bio-digester using multi-criteria decision analysis, carry out simulation-modelling of the solar-anaerobic digestion system in achieving energy self-efficiency with the development of the dynamic models that of climatic condition, social-economic and technology feasible. The performance of the system was designed and optimised to get maximum output power and mitigation of the environment at a lower cost. The performance was analysed based on present cost, locally availability, environmentally friendly, cost of energy on the local tariffs, load satisfaction, fuel consumption savings, operation and maintenance cost, human and technology capital and pollutants saving rates. The results showed major energy consummation from the solar-biodigester system, technology solutions that maximize energy efficiency and reduce the heat loss in the AD process. Waste to energy (WtE) technology coupled with the solar system could be viewed as key to sustainable, affordable and clean electricity generation.