bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histiocytic Sarcoma in a Captive Hybrid Orangutan (Pongo sp.): Morphological and Immunohistochemical Features
Authors: Galietta Valentina , Fonti Niccolò , Cocumelli Cristiano , Raso Caterina , Di Cerbo Pilar , Parisi Francesca , Bovi Emanuela , Parmigiani Raffaella , Pietrella Gabriele , Cersini Antonella , Friedrich Klaus G. , Eleni Claudia
Published: March 2024

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS), an infrequent highly aggressive hematopoietic tumor, has been observed in diverse animal species, with isolated occurrences in non-human primates. This study describes the first case of disseminated HS in a 45-year-old female hybrid captive orangutan. The clinical profile mirrored symptoms seen in human HS cases, encompassing anorexia and ascites. Detailed histopathological examination demonstrated characteristic features of this tumor and immunohistochemistry, using markers such as Iba-1 and HLA-DR, confirmed the diagnosis. Significantly, the absence of CD163 and CD204 expression challenges their diagnostic utility in non-human primates. This investigation enhances our understanding of HS diagnosis in non-human primates, underscoring the necessity for standardized markers and diagnostic protocols.
Performance Characteristics and Limitations of the Available Assays for the Detection and Quantitation of Monoclonal Free Light Chains and New Emerging Methodologies
Authors: Giles Hannah V. , Karunanithi Kamaraj
Published: March 2024

Light chain measurements form an essential component of the testing strategy for the detection and monitoring of patients with suspected and/or proven plasma cell disorders. Urine-based electrophoretic assays remain at the centre of the international guidelines for response assessment but the supplementary role of serum-free light chain (FLC) assays in response assessment and the detection of disease progression due to their increased sensitivity has been increasingly recognised since their introduction in 2001. Serum FLC assays have also been shown to be prognostic across the spectrum of plasma cell disorders and are now incorporated into risk stratification scores for patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smouldering multiple myeloma, and light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis), as well as being incorporated into the criteria for defining symptomatic multiple myeloma. There are now multiple different commercially available serum FLC assays available with differing performance characteristics, which are discussed in this review, along with the implications of these for patient monitoring. Finally, newer methodologies for the identification and characterisation of monoclonal FLC, including modifications to electrophoretic techniques, mass spectrometry-based assays and Amylite, are also described along with the relevant published data available regarding the performance of each assay.
MRFA-Net: Kidney Segmentation Method Based on Multi-Scale Feature Fusion and Residual Full Attention
Authors: Chen Junlin , Fan Hongbo , Shao Dangguo , Dai Shuting
Published: March 2024

For the characterization of the kidney segmentation task, this paper proposes a self-supervised kidney segmentation method based on multi-scale feature fusion and residual full attention, named MRFA-Net. In this study, we introduce the multi-scale feature fusion module to extract multi-scale information of kidneys from abdominal CT slices; additionally, the residual full-attention convolution module is designed to handle the multi-scale information of kidneys by introducing a full-attention mechanism, thus improving the segmentation results of kidneys. The Dice coefficient on the Kits19 dataset reaches 0.972. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves good segmentation performance compared to other algorithms, effectively enhancing the accuracy of kidney segmentation.
Examination of Couette Flow with a Pressure Gradient and Heat Conduction Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Pala Öngül Esma , Kandemir İlyas
Published: March 2024

As computer capabilities improve, Molecular Dynamics simulations are becoming more important for solving various flow problems. In this study, Couette and Poiseuille flows at different wall temperatures were investigated using a hard-sphere Molecular Dynamics simulation approach. Although a low spacing ratio was used in the simulations, the results are valid for rarefied gas flows when proper scaling based on the Knudsen number was used because only binary collisions with a hard-sphere model were considered. The main focus of this study was the examination of the effects of various wall speeds, pressure gradients, and wall temperatures. A pressure gradient was generated by developing a modified selective periodicity condition in the flow direction. With the combined effect of the pressure gradient and the wall velocities, subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds in nanochannels were examined. With the combination of different parameters, 1260 simulation cases were conducted. The results showed that there are temperature and velocity slips that are dependent on not only the temperature and velocity values but also on the magnitudes of a pressure gradient. The pressure gradient also caused nonlinearities in temperature and velocity profiles.
Brief Review of Recent Developments in Fiber Lasers
Authors: Nemova Galina
Published: March 2024

This review covers the recent achievements in high-power rare earth (RE)-doped fiber lasers, Raman fiber lasers, and Brillouin fiber lasers. RE-doped fiber lasers have many applications such as laser cutting, laser welding, laser cleaning, and laser precision processing. They operate in several wavelength ranges including 1050–1120 nm (ytterbium-doped fiber lasers), 1530–1590 nm (erbium- and erbium–ytterbium-doped fiber lasers), and 1900–2100 nm (thulium- and holmium-doped fiber lasers). White spaces in the wavelength spectrum, where no RE-doped fiber lasers are available, can be covered by Raman lasers. The heat power generated inside the laser active medium due to the quantum defect degrades the performance of the laser causing, for example, transverse-mode instability and thermal lensing. It can even cause catastrophic fiber damage. Different approaches permitting the mitigation of the heat generation process are considered in this review. Brillouin fiber lasers, especially multiwavelength Brillouin fiber lasers, have several important applications including optical communication, microwave generation, and temperature sensing. Recent progress in Brillouin fiber lasers is considered in this review.
Logistics Service Provider Lifecycle Model in Industry 4.0: A Review
Authors: Tiwong Sunida , Woschank Manuel , Ramingwong Sakgasem , Tippayawong Korrakot Yaibuathet
Published: March 2024

Supply chain and logistics management is of tremendous importance for multinational organizations. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) provide logistics services and smooth logistics operations between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers. This paper uses a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to identify the current trends and future developments of LSPs and the underlying (smart) logistics operations connected to the concept of lifecycle management. An SLR review was conducted to identify relevant research papers in the areas of LSPs and logistics lifecycle management. Out of 288 papers analyzed, 81 were identified as highly appropriate for in-depth analysis. The LSP Lifecycle Model (LSLM) was then developed by combining logistics service characteristics and the lifecycle management concept, including Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Service Lifecycle Management (SLM), and Product Service System (PSS). The LSLM consists of three phases: The Beginning of Life (BOL), the Middle of Life (MOL), and the End of Life (EOL). The LSLM is characterized by three phases, eight criteria, and seventeen sub-criteria. This paper aims to fulfil customer requirements through a product or service in the whole lifecycle of the logistics service provider. The findings further present an adaptable LSLM by focusing on various logistics services and integrating sustainability factors to meet market trends. Logistics cost factors can also be used to evaluate logistics services in the MOL stage. The EOL shows the trend of risk management, evaluation, and decomposition, which is determined by new or re-designed logistics products and services.
Hypergraph of Functional Connectivity Based on Event-Related Coherence: Magnetoencephalography Data Analysis
Authors: Peña Serrano Natalia , Jaimes-Reátegui Rider , Pisarchik Alexander N.
Published: March 2024

We construct hypergraphs to analyze functional brain connectivity, leveraging event-related coherence in magnetoencephalography (MEG) data during the visual perception of a flickering image. Principal network characteristics are computed for the delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency ranges. Employing a coherence measure, a statistical estimate of correlation between signal pairs across frequencies, we generate an edge time series, depicting how an edge evolves over time. This forms the basis for constructing an edge-to-edge functional connectivity network. We emphasize hyperedges as connected components in an absolute-valued functional connectivity network. Our coherence-based hypergraph construction specifically addresses functional connectivity among four brain lobes in both hemispheres: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. This approach enables a nuanced exploration of individual differences within diverse frequency bands, providing insights into the dynamic nature of brain connectivity during visual perception tasks. The results furnish compelling evidence supporting the hypothesis of cortico–cortical interactions occurring across varying scales. The derived hypergraph illustrates robust activation patterns in specific brain regions, indicative of their engagement across diverse cognitive contexts and different frequency bands. Our findings suggest potential integration or multifunctionality within the examined lobes, contributing valuable perspectives to our understanding of brain dynamics during visual perception.
Federated Pseudo-Sample Clustering Algorithm: A Label-Personalized Federated Learning Scheme Based on Image Clustering
Authors: Song Shihao , Liang Xiaoyan
Published: March 2024

In the realm of personalized federated learning, some current methods substitute shared parameters with shared samples created by Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). This enables each client to independently design the architecture of their neural network model. However, this approach still fails to overcome the restriction of enforcing uniform labels on client models that partake in training. To tackle this problem, we suggest the Federated Pseudo-Sample Clustering Algorithm (LPFL-GD). This method allows clients to train cooperatively under personalized labeling conditions. The approach uses the local model as a discriminator and forms a GAN network with the generator to produce a sample set. This set is then uploaded to the central server. The uploaded shared samples are clustered and divided into several clusters by introducing the DBSCAN algorithm on the central server. When filtering client samples, we obtain the labels of shared samples from each client in a cluster and correct the label of the entire cluster. We then merge the corrected samples with the local dataset to extend it. Our approach improves model performance, even when different clients label the same type of data differently. Compared with their performance before participating in federated learning, our approach can improve client model accuracy by up to 13.4%. We replicated other methods in the same environment and found that the local model accuracy of those methods not only improved very little but even decreased by up to 34.5%.
A Distributed Deep Learning Network Based on Data Enhancement for Few-Shot Raman Spectral Classification of Litopenaeus vannamei Pathogens
Authors: Chen Yanan , Li Zheng , Chen Ming
Published: March 2024

Litopenaeus vannamei is a common species in aquaculture and has a high economic value. However, Litopenaeus vannamei are often invaded by pathogenic bacteria and die during the breeding process, so it is of great significance to study the identification of shrimp pathogenic bacteria. The wide application of Raman spectroscopy in identifying directions of inquiry provides a new means for this. However, the traditional Raman spectroscopy classification task requires a large amount of data to ensure the accuracy of its classification. Therefore, the question of how to obtain higher classification accuracy through the means of a small amount of Raman spectrum data is a difficult point in the research. This paper proposes a distributed deep learning network based on data enhancement for few-shot Raman spectral classification of Litopenaeus vannamei pathogens. The network consists of RSEM, RSDM, and DLCM modules. The RSEM module uses an improved generative adversarial network combined with transfer learning to generate a large amount of spectral data. The RSDM module uses improved U-NET to denoise the generated data. In addition, we designed a distributed learning classification model (DLCM) which significantly speeds up model training, improves the efficiency of the algorithm, and solves the network degradation problem that often occurs during deep learning model training. The average classification accuracy of our proposed network on four shrimp pathogenic bacteria reaches 98.9%, which is higher than several models commonly used in Raman spectroscopy classification tasks. The method proposed in this article only needs the Raman spectra of a small number of microorganisms to complete the efficient and rapid identification of shrimp pathogenic bacteria, and this method certainly has the potential to solve the problem of the spectral classification of other microorganisms.
Local Fabric: Mid-Century Modernisms, Textile and Fashion Design, and the Northwest Coast, 1940–1967
Authors: Allen Laura J.
Published: March 2024

In the mid-twentieth century, growing North American textile and ready-to-wear industries vigorously appropriated Native American aesthetics to cultivate a commercial and design identity apart from Europe. Most studies of the circulation of Indigenous idioms in these industries focus on Southwestern or South Pacific regionalisms, and scholarship on studio and commercial fabric and fashion design from the Northwest Coast in the twentieth century is limited. This paper contributes by raising Indigenous and non-Indigenous use of Northwest Coast design forms during the politically turbulent 1940s–1960s and analyzing the impact of this aesthetic vocabulary within broader North American textiles and fashion. Throughout, I engage with the approaches of critical fashion theory and multiple modernisms, considering the frictions of property and power relations within settler-colonial states, then and now. Drawing from study of objects, periodicals, and archival materials as well as first-person perspectives, I contextualize these representations within entangled art, museum, and design worlds in the Northwest Coast, New York City, and the Southwest. My examination illustrates that Northwest Coast artists and art ideas asserted a peripheral but locatable role in mid-century textiles and fashion, facilitating the development of today’s robust Indigenous fashion network on the Northwest Coast and its cultural politics.
Coupled Calculation of Soil Moisture Content and PML Model Based on Data Assimilation in the Hetao Irrigation District
Authors: Duan Hao , Li Qiuju , Xu Haowei , Cao Liqi
Published: March 2024

Most Penman-Monteith-Leuning (PML) evapotranspiration (ET) modeling studies are dominated by consideration of meteorological, energy, and land use information, etc., but the dynamic coupling of soil moisture content (SM), especially in terms of improving accuracy through assimilation, lacks sufficient attention. This paper proposes a research framework for the dynamic coupling simulation of PML model and SM based on data assimilation, i.e., the remote sensing monitored SM is combined with soil evaporation of PML to obtain high-precision time-continuous SM data through data assimilation; simultaneously, dynamical soil evaporation coefficients are generated based on the assimilated SM to improve the simulation accuracy of the PML model. The new scheme was validated at a typical irrigation zone in north China and showed obvious improvements in both SM and ET simulations. Moreover, the effect of the assimilation of SM on the simulation accuracy of ET for different crop growth periods is further analyzed. This research provides a new idea for the coupling simulation of the SM and PML models.
Correlations between Urban Morphological Indicators and PM2.5 Pollution at Street-Level: Implications on Urban Spatial Optimization
Authors: Wang Yiwen , Dai Xiaoyan , Gong Deming , Zhou Liguo , Zhang Hao , Ma Weichun
Published: March 2024

During rapid urbanization, microclimate environment deterioration through events such as haze pollution and heat waves has continuously occurred in cities, which greatly affects the living environment, production activities, and health of urban residents. Therefore, it is particularly necessary to explore methods for controlling and optimizing the urban microclimate environment. In this paper, based on the mechanism of the effect of urban spatial structure at street-level on the distribution of atmospheric particulate matter, an indicator system that can be employed to comprehensively describe and quantify urban morphological structure at street-level was constructed from eight aspects: the spatial morphology of street-valleys, intensity of land use and development, geometric structure of buildings, inhomogeneity of buildings, roughness of the underlying surface, distribution of ecological landscapes, 3D architectural landscape morphology, and ventilation potential. Furthermore, using satellite remote sensing images and vector thematic maps of Shanghai, indicator factors were quantified by applying GIS technique. The intrinsic mechanism of the influence of the urban morphology on the diffusion and transport of atmospheric particulate matter was comprehensively analyzed by combining statistical methods and data mining algorithm, and eight key dominant factors were identified that can be considered to improve the urban ventilation conditions and help control urban air pollution, namely, the land use intensity, urban canopy resistance, vegetation cover, spatial congestion rate, comprehensive porosity, height-to-gross floor area ratio, building density, and average building volume ratio. As such, according to the quantitative analysis results for various combinations of the dominant factors, a spatial optimization strategy at street-level that can help improve the urban air quality was proposed in terms of identifying the pathways through which urban spatial elements affect the distribution of particulate matter, i.e., controlling the source–flow diversion–flow convergence process.
Kantorovich Version of Vector-Valued Shepard Operators
Authors: Duman Oktay , Della Vecchia Biancamaria , Erkus-Duman Esra
Published: March 2024

In the present work, in order to approximate integrable vector-valued functions, we study the Kantorovich version of vector-valued Shepard operators. We also display some applications supporting our results by using parametric plots of a surface and a space curve. Finally, we also investigate how nonnegative regular (matrix) summability methods affect the approximation.
Chen–Ricci Inequality for Isotropic Submanifolds in Locally Metallic Product Space Forms
Authors: Li Yanlin , Khan Meraj Ali , Aquib MD , Al-Dayel Ibrahim , Youssef Maged Zakaria
Published: March 2024

In this article, we study isotropic submanifolds in locally metallic product space forms. Firstly, we establish the Chen–Ricci inequality for such submanifolds and determine the conditions under which the inequality becomes equality. Additionally, we explore the minimality of Lagrangian submanifolds in locally metallic product space forms, and we apply the result to create a classification theorem for isotropic submanifolds whose mean curvature is constant. More specifically, we have demonstrated that the submanifolds are either a product of two Einstein manifolds with Einstein constants, or they are isometric to a totally geodesic submanifold. To support our findings, we provide several examples.
Fitting Insurance Claim Reserves with Two-Way ANOVA and Intuitionistic Fuzzy Regression
Authors: De Andrés-Sánchez Jorge
Published: March 2024

A highly relevant topic in the actuarial literature is so-called “claim reserving” or “loss reserving”, which involves estimating reserves to be provisioned for pending claims, as they can be deferred over various periods. This explains the proliferation of methods that aim to estimate these reserves and their variability. Regression methods are widely used in this setting. If we model error terms as random variables, the variability of provisions can consequently be modelled stochastically. The use of fuzzy regression methods also allows modelling uncertainty for reserve values using tools from the theory of fuzzy subsets. This study follows this second approach and proposes projecting claim reserves using a generalization of fuzzy numbers (FNs), so-called intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs), through the use of intuitionistic fuzzy regression. While FNs allow epistemic uncertainty to be considered in variable estimation, IFNs add bipolarity to the analysis by incorporating both positive and negative information regarding actuarial variables. Our analysis is grounded in the ANOVA two-way framework, which is adapted to the use of intuitionistic regression. Similarly, we compare our results with those obtained using deterministic and stochastic chain-ladder methods and those obtained using two-way statistical ANOVA.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Pyruvate-Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase, a Redox Enzyme Involved in the Pharmacological Activation of Nitro-Based Prodrugs in Bacteria and Protozoa
Authors: Duwor Seth , Brites Daniela , Mäser Pascal
Published: March 2024

The present frontrunners in the chemotherapy of infections caused by protozoa are nitro-based prodrugs that are selectively activated by PFOR-mediated redox reactions. This study seeks to analyze the distribution of PFOR in selected protozoa and bacteria by applying comparative genomics to test the hypothesis that PFOR in eukaryotes was acquired through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria. Furthermore, to identify other putatively acquired genes, proteome-wide and gene enrichment analyses were used. A plausible explanation for the patchy occurrence of PFOR in protozoa is based on the hypothesis that bacteria are potential sources of genes that enhance the adaptation of protozoa in hostile environments. Comparative genomics of Entamoeba histolytica and the putative gene donor, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, identified eleven candidate genes for HGT involved in intermediary metabolism. If these results can be reproduced in other PFOR-possessing protozoa, it would provide more validated evidence to support the horizontal transfer of pfor from bacteria.
Changes in Gravitaxis and Gene-Expression in an Euglena gracilis Culture over Time
Authors: Krüger Julia , Richter Peter , Stoltze Julia , Prasad Binod , Strauch Sebastian M. , Krüger Marcus , Nasir Adeel , Lebert Michael
Published: March 2024

Age-dependent changes in the transcription levels of 5-day-old Euglena gracilis cells, which showed positive gravitaxis, 6-day-old cells without gravitactic orientation, and older cells (9- and 11-day-old, which displayed a precise negative gravitaxis) were determined through microarray analysis. Hierarchical clustering of four independent cell cultures revealed pronounced similarities in transcription levels at the same culture age, which proves the reproducibility of the cultivation method. Employing the non-oriented cells from the 6-day-old culture as a reference, about 2779 transcripts were found to be differentially expressed. While positively gravitactic cells (5-day-old culture) showed only minor differences in gene expression compared to the 6-day reference, pronounced changes of mRNAs (mainly an increase) were found in older cells compared to the reference culture. Among others, genes coding for adenylyl cyclases, photosynthesis, and metabolic enzymes were identified to be differentially expressed. The investigated cells were grown in batch cultures, so variations in transcription levels most likely account for factors such as nutrient depletion in the medium and self-shading. Based on these findings, a particular transcript (e.g., transcript 19556) was downregulated using the RNA interference technique. Gravitaxis and phototaxis were impaired in the transformants, indicating the role of this transcript in signal transduction. Results of the experiment are discussed regarding the increasing importance of E. gracilis in biotechnology as a source of valuable products and the possible application of E. gracilis in life-support systems.
High Glucose Promotes and Aggravates the Senescence and Dysfunction of Vascular Endothelial Cells in Women with Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy
Authors: Zheng Lin , Li Mingqing , Li Huaping
Published: March 2024

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) is linked to fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction, which might be a result of hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is associated with cell senescence; however, the role and mechanism of high glucose and cell senescence in HIP endothelial cell failure are largely unknown. Our study discovered that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) obtained from HIP pregnant women exhibit excessive senescence, with significantly elevated expression of senescence markers senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), p16, p21, and p53. Subsequently, we found that exposing primary HUVECs and cell lines to high glucose resulted in an increase in the synthesis of these senescence indicators, similar to what had been observed in pregnant women with HIP. A replicate senescence model and stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) model showed higher amounts of vascular damage indicators, including von Willebrand factor (vWF), chemotactic C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), along with the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2. However, lower expressions of the pro-apoptotic component BAX, in addition to defective proliferation and tubulogenesis, were seen. Further studies indicated that hyperglycemia can not only induce these alterations in HUVECs but also exacerbate the aforementioned changes in both aging HUVECs. The experiments outlined above have also been validated in pregnant women with HIP. Collectively, these data suggest that exposure to high glucose accelerates cell senescence-mediated vein endothelial cell dysfunction, including excessive inflammation, cell adhesion, impaired angiogenesis, and cell proliferation possibly contributing to pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Functional Implications of the Prosomeric Brain Model
Authors: Puelles Luis
Published: March 2024

Brain models present a viewpoint on the fundamental structural components of the brain and their mutual organization, generally relative to a particular concept of the brain axis. A model may be based on adult brain structure or on developmental morphogenetic aspects. Brain models usually have functional implications, depending on which functional properties derive from the postulated organization. This essay examines the present scenario about brain models, emphasizing the contrast between columnar or other longitudinal models and transverse subdivisional neuromeric models. In each case, the main functional implications and apparent problems are explored and commented. Particular attention is given to the modern molecularly based ‘prosomeric model’, which postulates a set of 20 transverse prosomeres as the developmental units that serve to construct all the cerebral parts and the particular typology of many different neuronal populations within the forebrain and the hindbrain, plus a number of additional spinal cord units. These metameric developmental units (serially repeated, but with unique molecular profiles) confer to this model remarkable functional properties based mainly on its multiplicity and modularity. Many important brain functions can be decomposed into subfunctions attended to by combined sets of neuronal elements derived from different neuromeres. Each neuromere may participate in multiple functions. Most aspects related to creation of precise order in neural connections (axonal navigation and synaptogenesis) and function is due to the influence of neuromeric anteroposterior and dorsoventral positional information. Research on neuromeric functionality aspects is increasing significantly in recent times.
Dimerization of the β-Hairpin Membrane-Active Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide Capitellacin from Marine Polychaeta: An NMR Structural and Thermodynamic Study
Authors: Mironov Pavel A. , Paramonov Alexander S. , Reznikova Olesya V. , Safronova Victoria N. , Panteleev Pavel V. , Bolosov Ilia A. , Ovchinnikova Tatiana V. , Shenkarev Zakhar O.
Published: March 2024

Capitellacin is the β-hairpin membrane-active cationic antimicrobial peptide from the marine polychaeta Capitella teleta. Capitellacin exhibits antibacterial activity, including against drug-resistant strains. To gain insight into the mechanism of capitellacin action, we investigated the structure of the peptide in the membrane-mimicking environment of dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles using high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. In DPC solution, two structural forms of capitellacin were observed: a monomeric β-hairpin was in equilibrium with a dimer formed by the antiparallel association of the N-terminal β-strands and stabilized by intermonomer hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals interactions. The thermodynamics of the enthalpy-driven dimerization process was studied by varying the temperature and molar ratios of the peptide to detergent. Cooling the peptide/detergent system promoted capitellacin dimerization. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement induced by lipid-soluble 12-doxylstearate showed that monomeric and dimeric capitellacin interacted with the surface of the micelle and did not penetrate into the micelle interior, which is consistent with the “carpet” mode of membrane activity. An analysis of the known structures of β-hairpin AMP dimers showed that their dimerization in a membrane-like environment occurs through the association of polar or weakly hydrophobic surfaces. A comparative analysis of the physicochemical properties of β-hairpin AMPs revealed that dimer stability and hemolytic activity are positively correlated with surface hydrophobicity. An additional positive correlation was observed between hemolytic activity and AMP charge. The data obtained allowed for the provision of a more accurate description of the mechanism of the oligomerization of β-structural peptides in biological membranes.
The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Thoracic Aortic Disease: Are They Indicators for the Pathogenesis of Dissections?
Authors: Irqsusi Marc , Dong Lan Anh , Rodepeter Fiona R. , Ramzan Rabia , Talipov Ildar , Ghazy Tamer , Günther Madeline , Vogt Sebastian , Rastan Ardawan J.
Published: March 2024

The pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm and dissection continues to be under discussion. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling processes in the aortic wall are hypothesized to be involved in the development of the disorders. Therefore, in a histological study, we investigated the expression of metalloproteases 1 and 9 (MMP1 and MMP9) and their inhibitors (TIMP 1 and TIMP 2) in cardiac surgery patients. In parallel, we studied the aortic roots by echocardiography. Clinical reports of 111 patients (30 women and 81 men) who suffered from aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection were evaluated and studied by transesophageal echocardiography. Seven patients who had coronary heart disease served as “healthy controls”. All patients underwent the necessary surgical procedure according to the diagnosed aortic disease in the period from 2007 to 2015. A tissue sample of the aortic biopsies was collected from each patient during surgery. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for MMP1 and MMP9 and TIMP1 and TIMP2 as well. Vascularization was monitored by a CD 31 antibody. In direct comparison, the expressions are not homogeneous. We found the smallest changes in the intima area at all. TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 distribution increases from the lumen of the vessel outward in the wall layers of the aorta. In the case of arteriosclerotic changes, intima had a capillarization, but not in the media. An opposite pattern was found in the dissected aortas. There are differences in the vascularization between the aneurysm and dissection and the different layers, respectively. A different remodeling process of the ECM in comparison to the vascular layers must be hypothesized. Reading the patterns of staining and with regard to the known inhibitory effect of MMP9 on ECM remodeling, but especially TIMP 2 on neoangiogenesis, disturbed nutrition, and dysfunctional vasa vasorum remodeling must be assumed as causes of dissection.
Fronto–Cerebellar Diaschisis and Cognitive Dysfunction after Pontine Stroke: A Case Series and Systematic Review
Authors: Shimmyo Kei , Obayashi Shigeru
Published: March 2024

It is well known that cortical damage may affect cognitive functions, whereas subcortical damage, especially brainstem stroke, would be far less likely to cause cognitive decline, resulting in this condition being overlooked. Few studies have focused on cognitive dysfunction after a pontine stroke. Here, we begin with describing our nine new case reports of in-depth neuropsychological findings from patients with pontine stroke. The dominant domain of cognitive dysfunction was commonly characterized by executive dysfunction, almost in line with previous studies. The severity was relatively mild. We give an overview of the available literature on cognitive decline following a pontine stroke. This is followed by discussions regarding the prognosis of the cognitive disabilities. Based on previous neuroimaging findings, we would like to get to the core of the neuropathology underlying the cognitive declines in the context of “diaschisis”, a phenomenon of a broad range of brain dysfunctions remote from the local lesions. Specifically, our unique paper, with two modalities of neuroimaging techniques, may help us better understand the pathology. SPECT scans yield evidence of frontal and thalamic hyper-perfusion and cerebellar hypo-perfusion in patients with pontine stroke. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy, when focusing on the supplementary motor area (SMA) as one of the hyper-perfusion areas, exhibits that SMA responses may be subject to the severity of cognitive decline due to a pontine stroke and would also be related to the recovery. Finally, we posit that cognitive decline due to pontine stroke could be explained by the failure of hierarchical cognitive processing in the fronto–ponto–cerebellar–thalamic loop.
Exploring the Role of First-Person Singular Pronouns in Detecting Suicidal Ideation: A Machine Learning Analysis of Clinical Transcripts
Authors: Huang Rong , Yi Siqi , Chen Jie , Chan Kit Ying , Chan Joey Wing Yan , Chan Ngan Yin , Li Shirley Xin , Wing Yun Kwok , Li Tim Man Ho
Published: March 2024

Linguistic features, particularly the use of first-person singular pronouns (FPSPs), have been identified as potential indicators of suicidal ideation. Machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) have shown potential in suicide detection, but their clinical applicability remains underexplored. This study aimed to identify linguistic features associated with suicidal ideation and develop ML models for detection. NLP techniques were applied to clinical interview transcripts (n = 319) to extract relevant features, including four cases of FPSP (subjective, objective, dative, and possessive cases) and first-person plural pronouns (FPPPs). Logistic regression analyses were conducted for each linguistic feature, controlling for age, gender, and depression. Gradient boosting, support vector machine, random forest, decision tree, and logistic regression were trained and evaluated. Results indicated that all four cases of FPSPs were associated with depression (p < 0.05) but only the use of objective FPSPs was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (p = 0.02). Logistic regression and support vector machine models successfully detected suicidal ideation, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.57 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, FPSPs identified during clinical interviews might be a promising indicator of suicidal ideation in Chinese patients. ML algorithms might have the potential to aid clinicians in improving the detection of suicidal ideation in clinical settings.
Structure and Properties Improvement by Recipe Factors of Geopolymer Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Building Enclosing Structures
Authors: Zubarev Kirill P. , Shcherban’ Evgenii M. , Stel’makh Sergey A. , Beskopylny Alexey N. , Elshaeva Diana , Chernil’nik Andrei , Zakieva Nadezhda I. , Pimenova Elena V. , Shilov Alexandr A.
Published: March 2024

The application of geopolymer concrete in buildings and structures is becoming widespread because of its low cost and high strength characteristics. At the same time, the capabilities of geopolymer concrete are not fully used, especially to strengthen flexural properties. The article examines the problems of developing an effective composition of geopolymer concrete based on ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) by selecting the optimal composition of the alkaline activator and the amount of basalt fiber (BF). To determine the degree of effectiveness of the proposed formulation solutions, the characteristics of geopolymer fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) were determined. It has been investigated the most effective composition of an alkaline activator is an activator containing a NaOH solution with a molarity of 12 M. The most optimal dosage of BF is 1.5% by weight of GGBS. The increase in compressive and flexural strength for the most effective composition of geopolymer FRC 12 M/BF1.5, which combines the most effective parameters of formulation solutions, compared to the least effective composition 8 M/BF0 was 40.54% and 93.75%, respectively, and the decrease of water absorption was 45.75%. The obtained scientific result represents a significant empirical basis for future research in the field of geopolymer FRC. The developed effective composition of geopolymer FRC is ready for use in practical construction.
Settlement Analysis of Concrete-Walled Buildings Using Soil–Structure Interactions and Finite Element Modeling
Authors: Patrício Jonny D. , Gusmão Alexandre D. , Ferreira Sílvio R. M. , Silva Fernando A. N. , Kafshgarkolaei Hassan Jafarian , Azevedo António C. , Delgado João M. P. Q.
Published: March 2024

This study examines the performance of mat foundations in 13 blocks of eight-story concrete-walled residential buildings. Topographic monitoring bolts were used to monitor the slab’s construction, which was 0.35 m thick and comprised an area of 225 m2. Using the collected data, a retro-analysis of the modulus of elasticity was conducted to obtain the geotechnical parameters for forecasting the settlement using the elasticity theory. A nonlinear approach for construction modeling and soil–structure interactions showed that the earthworks at the start of construction had a significant role in settling. Blocks in landfills settled faster than those in land-cut zones. The partial execution of building levels was found to be critical in terms of angular distortions and stresses in the concrete slab. The partial lifting of the foundation plate was confirmed in blocks with partial building floor execution, demonstrating the importance of assessing the foundation’s behavior at this stage. The modulus of elasticity dropped as construction progressed, with landfill parts being particularly vulnerable. Creep settlements contributed significantly, accounting for about 20% of the total settlements in some blocks. The numerical staged construction model accurately replicated the behaviors observed in the monitoring data, confirming the hypothesis of the partial raising of the foundation during the building process, which resulted in higher angular distortions. Based on the results obtained, the authors strongly recommend that the simultaneous consideration of soil–structure interactions and construction effects be commonly used in foundation designs.
Research on Dynamic Monitoring and Optimization of Lighting Environment in Clothing Workshop Based on Visual Comfort
Authors: Hou Wanjun , Liu Liu , Xi Hui , Jia Tie
Published: March 2024

T8 LED tubes with adjustable brightness and color temperature are installed in the workshop for workers to adjust their lighting independently. The illuminance of the workers’ working surface is dynamically monitored for one year, and the collected illuminance data are quantitatively analyzed to explore the suitable illuminance threshold and color temperature preference for workers in real scenes. The illuminance value is divided according to time period and season, which provides reference for the development of intelligent buildings. For the three workflows in the post-finishing workshop, the lighting environment was optimized based on the uniformity of illumination, and the optimal height of the lighting arrangement was determined. The optimal luminaire placement height for the bar tacking machine was found to be 1.28 m, for the auxiliary workbench it was 1.02 m, and for the ironing table it was 1.2 m.
Architectural Typology and Its Influence on Authentic Living
Authors: El Moussaoui Mustapha
Published: March 2024

In this study, the transformative effects of architectural typologies on the community’s sense of belonging and relationship with their environment are examined. Through a range of investigative methodologies, the research highlights the shift from traditional architectural forms to contemporary designs, focusing on the role of political decisions, and globalized construction materials. The research examines a notable conflict: the modern spaces built with little spatial knowledge and modern material do not resonate with the community’s historical experiences and customary living patterns. Furthermore, the rapid pace of these architectural shifts has led to a growing sense of disconnection among community members. The findings highlight a central aspect: the new architectural forms fail to reflect the historical sentiments embedded in the community’s fabric and its connection to the surrounding environment. Consequently, there emerges a subtle yet significant loss of the community’s identity and heritage. The study argues for the importance of making design decisions that are sustainable, utilizing local construction knowledge in a modern way, thereby preserving the intricate and enduring connections between architectural, historical, social, and environmental factors. By doing so, designers can create spaces that preserve socio-cultural dynamics, be environmentally sustainable, yet also progress with the contemporary construction demands.
Isolevuglandins Promote Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Electrophysiologic Abnormalities in Atrial Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Subati Tuerdi , Yang Zhenjiang , Murphy Matthew B. , Stark Joshua M. , Trykall David Z. , Davies Sean S. , Barnett Joey V. , Murray Katherine T.
Published: March 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the AF substrate remain unclear. Isolevuglandins (IsoLGs) are highly reactive lipid dicarbonyl products that mediate oxidative stress-related injury. In murine hypertension, the lipid dicarbonyl scavenger 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA) reduced IsoLGs and AF susceptibility. We hypothesized that IsoLGs mediate detrimental pathophysiologic effects in atrial cardiomyocytes that promote the AF substrate. Using Seahorse XFp extracellular flux analysis and a luminescence assay, IsoLG exposure suppressed intracellular ATP production in atrial HL-1 cardiomyocytes. IsoLGs caused mitochondrial dysfunction, with reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) with protein carbonylation, and mitochondrial DNA damage. Moreover, they generated cytosolic preamyloid oligomers previously shown to cause similar detrimental effects in atrial cells. In mouse atrial and HL-1 cells, patch clamp experiments demonstrated that IsoLGs rapidly altered action potentials (AP), implying a direct effect independent of oligomer formation by reducing the maximum Phase 0 upstroke slope and shortening AP duration due to ionic current modifications. IsoLG-mediated mitochondrial and electrophysiologic abnormalities were blunted or totally prevented by 2-HOBA. These findings identify IsoLGs as novel mediators of oxidative stress-dependent atrial pathophysiology and support the investigation of dicarbonyl scavengers as a novel therapeutic approach to prevent AF.
A Framework for Effective Collaboration with Crisis-Affected Communities
Authors: Rose Jo , Adler Claudia Milena
Published: March 2024

In 2016, a localisation agenda was set across the international aid industry with the understanding that humanitarian interventions need to be led by local actors and local communities. Despite international agreements, the localisation efforts are largely failing. This paper demonstrates the challenges that prevent effective collaboration between international humanitarian agencies and crisis-affected communities. It draws on evaluation reports to highlight an inability to learn lessons or follow recommendations from previous crises. Based on the authors’ experiences, we present a novel framework for effectively collaborating with crisis-affected communities. The Communities Framework provides a pathway to establishing effective community collaboration and locally owned and led humanitarian interventions. The importance of local leadership, trust building, and local context are at the heart of the framework. In light of the need for a more localised and decolonial humanitarian response, this framework supports humanitarian actors and the affected communities in moving from a charity-led approach to one of mutual aid. The paper draws on alternative notions of compassion from the Global South of contemporary humanitarian interventions as a philosophical foundation for the framework. Caring for others and the world is central to implementing an appropriate and effective humanitarian response. There remains a largely unexplored scope regarding the outcome of resolving crises when both humanitarian actors and affected communities work as equal partners and how that will shape modern humanitarianism as we understand it today.
Melatonin Use in Pediatrics: A Clinical Review on Indications, Multisystem Effects, and Toxicity
Authors: Shenoy Pranita , Etcheverry Adriana , Ia Jalyn , Witmans Manisha , Tablizo Mary Anne
Published: March 2024

Exogenous melatonin is typically used for sleep regulation in the context of insomnia either in healthy children or those with neurodevelopmental disabilities. It is also used for the management of circadian rhythm sleep disorders in pediatric and adolescent patients. There are also many other possible indications that we will discuss in this paper beyond the role of melatonin for sleep regulation, including its potential use for various areas of medicine such as inflammatory conditions. Since melatonin is unregulated in the United States, distributed over the counter and perceived to be natural and safe, it has become available in many forms in the last two decades. With increasing sleep disturbances and mental health problems after the COVID-19 pandemic, melatonin has become even more popular and studies have shown a dramatic increase in use as well as resulting side effects, including melatonin overdose. As melatonin is generally viewed by physicians as a benign medication, we hope to increase awareness of melatonin’s properties as well as negative side effects to optimize its use in the pediatric population.