bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disclosure frequency of parent company financial reporting: Insights from analyst forecasting accuracy
Authors: Zhang Junsheng , Jing Xuefeng , Qi Yue
Published: April 2024

Prior research predominantly concentrates on the comprehensive financial disclosures of consolidated statements, often overlooking the distinct informational value inherent in the financial statements from parent companies. The debate continues on whether the frequency of disclosures from parent companies should align with that of their consolidated counterparts. The periodic dissemination of a parent company's financials can significantly reduce information asymmetry, thus enabling analysts to promptly and accurately grasp the firm's financial health. Yet, this increased frequency may come at the cost of information reliability, leading to more errors and promoting myopic decision‐making among executives, which might lead to misguided analysis. Drawing on shifts in China's financial disclosure mandates – from obligatory to optional quarterly reporting by parent firms – we observe that analysts tend to generate more precise earnings forecasts for those publicly traded entities that refrain from quarterly disclosures of parent company reports. This enhancement in forecast precision is particularly marked in instances where corporate information quality is substandard or when analyst coverage is extensive. Supplementary findings suggest that this effect intensifies for annual reports audited by firms outside the Big 4 and when there is more coverage by other media. Consequently, our findings imply that easing the stringent quarterly reporting by parent companies and adopting a voluntary disclosure system does not diminish the informational richness available to investors.
Population dynamics and prey community of the invasive paper wasp Polistes chinensis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in a protected coastal habitat in New Zealand
Authors: Reason Aiden , Felden Antoine , Bulgarella Mariana , Lester Philip J.
Published: April 2024

The Asian paper wasp (Polistes chinensis) is an invasive species in New Zealand and a voracious arthropod predator, incorporating a wide range of prey into its diet. We examined the colony survival and prey community composition of these wasps in a protected coastal habitat in New Zealand. Paper wasp colonies at this site were surveyed and monitored weekly over two summers. Our data showed that only ~20% of the monitored colonies each year survived until late summer, with high rates of colony mortality in late spring and early summer. We collected samples of wasp larval guts over a temporal gradient in one nesting season, and via DNA metabarcoding analysis, we identified the prey species consumed. The prey species most frequently identified in larval samples were endemic cicadas and several lepidopteran species. No native arthropod species of known conservation concern were identified in the analysis. However, 63% of the unique taxon sequences retrieved could not be identified by genus or species level, likely due to the absence of reference barcodes. These taxa may represent a group of understudied species, potentially highly endemic or localised. Our analysis indicates that these invasive wasps are opportunistic‐generalist predators with the potential to exert high predation pressure on native arthropods. P. chinensis may be preying on a range of understudied species, especially in remote, natural habitats across New Zealand. We recommend future studies continue to barcode native New Zealand arthropods in order to improve the taxonomic assignments of dietary studies.
Food security dynamics and measurement error
Authors: McDonough Ian K. , Millimet Daniel L.
Published: April 2024

We examine intra‐ and intergenerational food security dynamics in the United States using longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) while accounting for measurement error. We apply recently developed methods on the partial identification of transition matrices and show that accounting for measurement error is crucial as even modest errors can dwarf the information contained in the data. Nonetheless, we find that much can be learned under fairly weak assumptions; the strongest and most informative assumption being that measurement errors are serially uncorrelated. In particular, although the evidence—both intragenerational and intergenerational—is consistent with significant mobility, we also find food security status to be persistent for at least some households in the tails of the distribution. We further document some heterogeneities in dynamics across households differentiated by race and education. Finally, the impact of measurement error in the context of underlying dynamics is widely applicable to other areas of applied microeconomics generally as well as to food security dynamics in less developed countries specifically.
Oligopoly and oligopsony in international trade
Authors: Macedoni Luca , Tyazhelnikov Vladimir
Published: April 2024

We study the effects of international trade on the oligopsony power of firms in input markets. We build a theoretical model of international trade in which firms are oligopolists in the market for final goods and oligopsonists in the market for inputs. Consistent with evidence from the literature, firms' markups over unit costs rise with the level of oligopsony power and of oligopoly power. While trade liberalization decreases market power in one market, it has the opposite effect in the other. In particular, international competition between oligopolists in final goods markets causes oligopsony power to increase and oligopoly power to decline. In a simulation, we show that the increase in oligopsony power can more than offset the reduction in oligopoly power, resulting in a net increase in markups over unit costs.
Mothering and mother–child interactions in the unaffected siblings of autistic children
Authors: Chang Jane Pei‐Chen , Chou Wen‐Jiun , Chiu Yen‐Nan , Tsai Wen‐Che , Shang Chi‐Yung , Wu Yu‐Yu , Gau Susan Shur‐Fen
Published: April 2024

Aim

To investigate parenting and mother–child interactions in unaffected siblings of autistic children.

Method

This cross‐sectional study enrolled 274 probands with a DSM‐5 diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (87.4% male; mean [SD] age = 11 years 4 months [3 years 2 months]), their unaffected siblings (n = 274, 46.72% male; mean [SD] age = 11 years 3 months [3 years 4 months]), and 296 age‐balanced and sex‐balanced typically developing children (82.77% male; mean [SD] age = 11 years 3 months [2 years 8 months]). Maternal parenting styles and mother–child interactions were assessed using maternal reporting.

Results

Regardless of the child's age, maternal educational level, or presence of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autistic children received more overprotective and controlling parental behaviour than unaffected children. Correlates for parenting, mother–child interactions, and behavioural problems in the home setting in children with ASD and typically developing children were autistic traits, maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms, and maternal autistic characteristics; those in unaffected siblings were age, autistic traits, maternal educational level, and maternal autistic characteristics.

Interpretation

The diagnosis of ASD in a child can significantly influence maternal parenting behaviours, mother–child interactions, and the child's behavioural problems in the home setting. Furthermore, maternal anxiety or depressive symptoms, along with autistic characteristics in both mother and child, might shape parenting practices and exacerbate behavioural difficulties in autistic children.

What this paper adds

Autistic children received more overprotective and controlling parenting.

In children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children, autistic traits, maternal anxiety and depression, and maternal autistic characteristics were correlated.

In unaffected siblings, age, autistic traits, maternal education, and maternal autistic characteristics were correlated.
Irruptions of crossbills Loxia spp. in northern Europe – patterns and correlations with seed production by key and non‐key conifers
Authors: Summers Ron W. , Swallow Ben , Fridman Jonas , Hokkanen Tatu , Newton Ian , Buckland Stephen T.
Published: April 2024

Irruptions by boreal seed‐eating and frugivorous birds are assumed to be driven by the production of seeds and fruits, crops of which are highly variable between years. Using data from Sweden, we tested whether irruptions of Common Crossbills Loxia curvirostra were correlated with low Norway Spruce Picea abies seed production in the same year as the irruption and/or high seed production in the year prior to an irruption. Similar tests were made for Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus irruptions in relation to Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris seed production. In northern Europe, these conifers represent the key food species of the two crossbill species, respectively. Despite differing times that seeds take to mature and asynchronous seed production between the two conifer species, including a 3‐year cycle for Norway Spruce, the two crossbill species often irrupted in the same year as one another. Analyses showed that irruptions into Britain and other parts of western Europe by both crossbill species were correlated with low seed production by Norway Spruce in Sweden. Low seed production by Scots Pine had a marginally non‐significant additive effect on both crossbill species. In a second set of analyses, the best‐fitting model was one in which low seed production by both conifers in a given year and high seed production in the previous year were each correlated with large numbers of irrupting Common and Parrot Crossbills. The models indicate that the incidental co‐occurrence of low seed production of Norway Spruce and Scots Pine in a given year, after a year of high seed production, may result in an irruption. The seed production of Norway Spruce and Scots Pine in Sweden was correlated with production by the same species in Finland, indicating widespread synchrony of cropping across northern Europe.
Poling‐induced enhancement of piezocatalytic performance of 0.96K0.5Na0.5NbO3‐0.04Bi0.5Na0.5ZrO3 ceramic blocks
Authors: Xie Ziqian , Jiao Jiabin , Hu Meimin , Zhao Chunlin , Wu Xiao , Lin Tengfei , Gao Min , Lin Cong
Published: April 2024

Compared with powder particles, ceramic block piezocatalyst possesses the advantages of high cycle stability, decreasing secondary pollution, and easy recovery. Herein, with a simple strategy of the poling procedure, the piezocatalytic activity of 0.96K0.5Na0.5NbO3‐0.04Bi0.5Na0.5ZrO3 (abbreviated as 0.96KNN‐0.04BNZ) ceramic blocks can be considerably improved. A reaction rate constant k value of 14.70×10−3 min−1 in the poled sample can be obtained to degrade Rhodamine B, which is 3.44 times that of the unpoled one. Meanwhile, the poled sample also has good degradation effects against methylene blue and amino black 10B. The improvement of piezocatalytic activities originates from the reduction of crystal symmetry and the enhancement of electron‐hole pair separation, which accelerates the generation of charge carriers. This research displays a unique lead‐free bulk piezocatalyst and a convenient method for enhancing its piezocatalytic activity.
Extraction of phenolic compounds from edible flowers (Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus) using ultrasound‐microwave‐assisted extraction and its screening by HPLC
Authors: Chetia Indrani , Das Arup Jyoti , Badwaik Laxmikant S.
Published: April 2024

Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus flowers have been consumed as a traditional delicacy in the north‐eastern region of India. The present investigation utilized the microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) technique in conjunction with an ultrasound pretreatment (at 250 W for 15 min) to extract phenolic compounds from Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus flowers. Here, independent factors for optimization of MAE were microwave power (300, 500, and 700 W) and extraction time (2, 4, and 6 min), and responses were total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and DPPH (2,2‐dipheny‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) activity. For the experimental design, a Response surface methodology and a central composite design were followed. The optimum MAE condition was found at microwave power 700 W for 5 min resulting 30.204 mg GAE/g TPC, 81.26% DPPH and 22.50 mg QAE/g of TFC. The extraction of phenolic compounds was significantly impacted by both the microwave power and the extraction time. The high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis detected various phenolic compounds in both conventional and MAE extracts. However, compared to conventional extract, the majority of the identified phenolic compounds were found to be higher in quantities in MAE extract. These results highlighted that MAE‐optimized flower extract could be beneficial as a functional ingredient for food product development.

Practical applications

Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus is a highly nutritious flower with medicinal properties. Though traditionally edible flowers have been consumed in the northeastern part of India but people are still neophobic and there is scanty awareness available regarding the benefits of consuming edible flowers. This scientific justification regarding the advantages of edible flowers makes them appealing for future novel use in food technology and also for further scientific study. High perishability of flowers makes them limited for market viability and extraction of its phenolic compounds is one of the novel solutions to utilize the flowers before spoilage. Also, using ultrasound as a pretreatment could enhance the efficiency of microwave‐assisted extraction techniques for a higher yield of phenolic compounds. Microwave‐assisted extraction technique as its novel and was proven an easy successful extraction technique on this flower. Also, the study of phenolic compounds through HPLC provides important information regarding the presence of various phenolic compounds in the Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus flower. This research can be supportive of both food technology and the medicinal industry.
Lightweight object detection network for multi‐damage recognition of concrete bridges in complex environments
Authors: Jiang Tianyong , Li Lingyun , Samali Bijan , Yu Yang , Huang Ke , Yan Wanli , Wang Lei
Published: April 2024

To solve the challenges of low recognition accuracy, slow speed, and weak generalization ability inherent in traditional methods for multi‐damage recognition of concrete bridges, this paper proposed an efficient lightweight damage recognition model, constructed by improving the you only look once v4 (YOLOv4) with MobileNetv3 and fused inverted residual blocks, named YOLOMF. First, a novel lightweight network named MobileNetv3 with fused inverted residual (MobileNetv3‐FusedIR) is constructed as the backbone network for YOLOMF. This is achieved by integrating the fused mobile inverted bottleneck convolution (Fused‐MBConv) into the shallow layers of MobileNetv3. Second, the standard convolution in YOLOv4 is replaced with the depthwise separable convolution, resulting in a reduction in the number of parameters and complexity of the model. Third, the effects of different activation functions on the damage recognition performance of YOLOMF are thoroughly investigated. Finally, to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method in complex environments, a data enhancement library named Imgaug is used to simulate concrete bridge damage images under challenging conditions such as motion blur, fog, rain, snow, noise, and color variations. The results indicate that the YOLOMF shows excellent multi‐damage recognition proficiency for concrete bridges across varying field‐of‐view sizes as well as complex environmental conditions. The detection speed of YOLOMF reaches 85f/s, facilitating effective real‐time multi‐damage detection for concrete bridges under complex environments.
Capital flow reversals and currency crises: Do capital flow types matter?
Authors: Zhang Mengting , Steiner Andreas , de Haan Jakob , Yang Haizhen
Published: April 2024

We analyze how reversals of several types of capital flows impact currency crises in emerging market and developing economies. Estimates of logit models show that reversals of (equity and debt) portfolio flows significantly increase the likelihood of currency crises in emerging market economies. In developing economies, reversals of portfolio debt flows and banking flows have a significant positive impact on currency crises. Finally, our results suggest that countries with mature financial systems and fixed exchange rate regimes are less likely to experience a currency crisis after a capital flow shock. The mediating role of capital account liberalization varies by country type.
Contextual influences on knowledge translation capacity in a nursing home organisation: A phenomenological hermeneutical study
Authors: Steinskog Trine‐Lise Dræge , Tranvåg Oscar , Ciliska Donna , Graverholt Birgitte
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The demand for advanced clinical care in nursing homes (NHs) is increasing. Evidence‐based practices and knowledge translation (KT) initiatives are growing to bridge the gap between what is known and what is done. However, research on contextual influence on KT has primarily focused on hospital settings.

Aim

To expand our understanding of contextual influences on KT capacity in a NH organisation.

Design and Methods

Lindseth and Norberg's phenomenological hermeneutical method was used to explore and describe practice development nurses' experiences, perspectives and practices regarding how contextual factors influence KT capacity in NHs. Focus group interviews, participant observations, in‐depth interviews and non‐participant observations provided the data.

Results

Two main themes and four subthemes were identified. (1) Continuous limited resources are a cultural condition that inhibits KT readiness; prioritising keeping the NH machinery running at all costs and having contrasting care philosophies undermines KT. (2) Organisational prioritisations leave KT as a missing cogwheel in the machinery; retaining a system of fragmented KT strategies and lacking a structure for collective KT effort.

Conclusion

The study showed that KT held a minor role in the fast‐paced NH machinery. Contradicting values characterise the NH organisation, resulting in a lack of a common vision and priorities. Building a sustainable KT capacity and providing evidence‐based practice necessitates explicit responsibilities, dedicated resources and robust organisational support. Management has a critical role in strengthening the position of KT. Incorporating KT in daily NH practice can help staff become adaptable and confident, capable of meeting the increasing challenges of advanced care that alleviates suffering and promote the health and well‐being of NH patients.
Lockdowns, vaccines, and the economy: How economic perceptions were shaped during the COVID‐19 pandemic†
Authors: Castro Vítor , Martins Rodrigo
Published: April 2024

This paper analyses the economic confidence indicators' reaction to the environment surrounding the COVID‐19 pandemic. Using Eurostat's monthly data for the economic sentiment in European Union countries, we found that, in the COVID‐19 era, confidence and perceptions about the economy are strongly dominated by factors related to the pandemic, more so by policy measures and the vaccination process than by the direct health impact of the coronavirus. This is found to be prevalent across the multiple dimensions of economic sentiment. Moreover, standard macroeconomic variables seem to play a smaller and more marginal role during this period.
Liberalismo y derechos: entre la crisis civilizatoria y la crítica radical
Authors: Mora Cortes Andres Felipe , Barrea Téllez Andrea
Published: April 2024

Los sistemas políticos liberales se encuentran en crisis. Ciertas posturas atribuyen esta crisis de los sistemas liberales al desgarramiento de los mecanismos de integración y movilidad social sustentados en la búsqueda de la igualdad de oportunidades, el enaltecimiento de la ética del trabajo y la legitimación de las jerarquías resultantes de procesos meritocráticos. El presente artículo sustenta que los problemas de integración no constituyen sino la manifestación intermedia de una crisis civilizatoria más profunda provocada por  el despliegue del capitalismo en los mundos de la vida de las personas ¿Puede un compromiso renovado con los derechos devolverle la estabilidad a los sistemas liberales y eliminar las amenazas autoritarias que los agobian? La respuesta a esta pregunta develará una contradicción: rescatar el liberalismo apelando a los derechos, implica que estos objeten la propiedad privada, la democracia representativa y al paradigma del progreso, aspectos que llevarían a una crítica radical del liberalismo mismo. Bajo estas dimensiones críticas, surge la necesidad de pensar el vínculo derechos-democracia bajo criterios otros de dignidad, realización humana y producción de la vida común.
Working Fluid Selection and Thermodynamic Optimization of the Novel Renewable Energy-Based RESTORE Seasonal Storage Technology
Authors: Alfani Dario , Giostri Andrea , Astolfi Marco
Published: April 2024

Seasonal-based energy storage is expected to be one of the main options for the decarbonization of the space heating sector by increasing the renewables dispatchability. Technologies available today are mainly based on hot water and can only partially fulfill the efficiency, energy density and affordability requirements. This work analyzes a novel system based on pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) concept to maximize renewables and waste heat exploitation during summer and make them available during winter. Organic fluid-based cycles are adopted for the heat upgrade during hot season (heat pump (HP)) and to produce electricity and hot water during cold season (power unit (PU)). Upgraded thermal energy drives an endothermic reaction producing dehydrated solid salts, which can be stored for months using inexpensive and high energy density solutions. This paper focuses on thermodynamic cycles design, comparing the performance attainable with several working fluids. Two different configurations are investigated: coupled systems, sharing the fluid and heat exchangers in both operating modes, and decoupled systems. A preliminary economic assessment completes the study, including a sensitivity analysis on electricity and heat prices. Cyclopentane is identified as a promising working fluid for coupled systems, reaching competitive round trip efficiencies (RTEs), maximizing the ratio between performance and HX surfaces, without excessive turbomachinery volume ratios and volumetric flows. Economic analysis shows that solutions with lower efficiency, but also lower capital cost, can achieve competitive payback times (PBT). On the contrary, decoupled systems are less attractive, as they reach slightly higher thermodynamic performance, but require higher capital costs, possibly being of interest only in specific applications.
History of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)
Authors: Dietrich Christoph F. , Albrecht Thomas , Becher Harald , Harvey Chris J. , Jenssen Christian , Lim Adrian K. , Möller Kathleen , Greis Christian
Published: April 2024

The 50th year of the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) has been celebrated 2022 publishing articles on the history of US. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows to visualize blood flow and tissue perfusion. CEUS has proven to be safe without risk of nephrotoxicity. The availability of a contrast agent (tracer) for ultrasound imaging allows for the first time a dynamic assessment of tissue perfusion (blood flow and wash-in/wash-out pattern) which is an essential part for the detection and characterisation of pathological tissue and abnormal organ function. It was an outstanding achievement of academic centers in close cooperation with EFSUMB to investigate and validate the clinical potential of this new technology for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases and to develop clinical guidelines based on an in-depth assessment of the existing scientific publications. An important part of the implementation of CEUS in clinical practice was the development of contrast-specific imaging modes on the ultrasound scanners (in close cooperation with the machine manufacturers), the optimization of the machine setups for contrast imaging and the education provided to clinical users in form of workshops, webinars, textbooks and scientific congresses.
Monolithic integration of perovskite heterojunction on TFT backplanes through vapor deposition for sensitive and stable x-ray imaging
Authors: Li Liqi , Tao Liting , Wang Lixiang , Li Yuyang , Li Jiawen , Ni Zhenyi , Fang Yanjun , Yang Deren
Published: April 2024

Metal halide perovskites exhibit substantial potential for advancing next-generation x-ray detection. However, fabricating high-performance pixelated imaging arrays remains challenging due to the substantial dark current density and stability issues associated with common organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites. Here, we develop a vapor deposition method to create the first all-inorganic perovskite heterojunction film. The heterojunction introduction effectively reduces the dark current density of detectors to about 0.8 nA·cm−2, satisfying thin-film transistor (TFT) integration standards, while also increases sensitivity to above 2.6 × 104μC·Gyair−1·cm−2, thus giving rise to a record low detection limit of <1 nGyair·s−1among all polycrystalline perovskite–based x-ray detectors. The devices also demonstrate remarkable stability across multifarious demanding working conditions. Last, through monolithic integration of the heterojunction film with a 64 × 64 pixelated TFT array, we have achieved high-resolution real-time x-ray imaging, which paves the way for the application of all-inorganic perovskite in low-dose flat-panel x-ray detection.
Low-dimensional criticality embedded in high-dimensional awake brain dynamics
Authors: Fontenele Antonio J. , Sooter J. Samuel , Norman V. Kindler , Gautam Shree Hari , Shew Woodrow L.
Published: April 2024

Whether cortical neurons operate in a strongly or weakly correlated dynamical regime determines fundamental information processing capabilities and has fueled decades of debate. We offer a resolution of this debate; we show that two important dynamical regimes, typically considered incompatible, can coexist in the same local cortical circuit by separating them into two different subspaces. In awake mouse motor cortex, we find a low-dimensional subspace with large fluctuations consistent with criticality—a dynamical regime with moderate correlations and multi-scale information capacity and transmission. Orthogonal to this critical subspace, we find a high-dimensional subspace containing a desynchronized dynamical regime, which may optimize input discrimination. The critical subspace is apparent only at long timescales, which explains discrepancies among some previous studies. Using a computational model, we show that the emergence of a low-dimensional critical subspace at large timescales agrees with established theory of critical dynamics. Our results suggest that the cortex leverages its high dimensionality to multiplex dynamical regimes across different subspaces.
Prevention of age-related truncation of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) delays cataract formation
Authors: Wei Zongbo , Hao Caili , Radeen Kazi Rafsan , Srinivasagan Ramkumar , Chen Jian-Kang , Sharma Shruti , McGee-Lawrence Meghan E. , Hamrick Mark W. , Monnier Vincent M. , Fan Xingjun
Published: April 2024

A sharp drop in lenticular glutathione (GSH) plays a pivotal role in age-related cataract (ARC) formation. Despite recognizing GSH’s importance in lens defense for decades, its decline with age remains puzzling. Our recent study revealed an age-related truncation affecting the essential GSH biosynthesis enzyme, the γ-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), at aspartate residue 499. Intriguingly, these truncated GCLC fragments compete with full-length GCLC in forming a heterocomplex with the modifier subunit (GCLM) but exhibit markedly reduced enzymatic activity. Crucially, using an aspartate-to-glutamate mutation knock-in (D499E-KI) mouse model that blocks GCLC truncation, we observed a notable delay in ARC formation compared to WT mice: Nearly 50% of D499E-KI mice remained cataract-free versus ~20% of the WT mice at their age of 20 months. Our findings concerning age-related GCLC truncation might be the key to understanding the profound reduction in lens GSH with age. By halting GCLC truncation, we can rejuvenate lens GSH levels and considerably postpone cataract onset.
Determinative scrolling and folding of membranes through shrinking channels
Authors: Wang Ya , Wang Shijun , Gao Yue , Li Peng , Zhao Bo , Liu Senping , Ma Jingyu , Wang Lidan , Yin Qichen , Wang Ziqiu , Peng Li , Ming Xin , Cao Min , Liu Yingjun , Gao Chao , Xu Zhiping , Xu Zhen
Published: April 2024

Flat membranes ubiquitously transform into mysterious complex shapes in nature and artificial worlds. Behind the complexity, clear determinative deformation modes have been continuously found to serve as basic application rules but remain unfulfilled. Here, we decipher two elemental deformation modes of thin membranes, spontaneous scrolling and folding as passing through shrinking channels. We validate that these two modes rule the deformation of membranes of a wide thickness range from micrometer to atomic scale. Their occurrence and the determinative fold number quantitatively correlate with the Föppl–von Kármán number and shrinkage ratio. The unveiled determinative deformation modes can guide fabricating foldable designer microrobots and delicate structures of two-dimensional sheets and provide another mechanical principle beyond genetic determinism in biological morphogens.
Targeted depletion of PD-1–expressing cells induces immune tolerance through peripheral clonal deletion
Authors: Cui Jikai , Xu Heng , Yu Jizhang , Ran Shuan , Zhang Xi , Li Yuan , Chen Zhang , Niu Yuqing , Wang Song , Ye Weicong , Chen Wenhao , Wu Jie , Xia Jiahong
Published: April 2024

Thymic negative selection of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is essential for establishing self-tolerance and acquired allograft tolerance following organ transplantation. However, it is unclear whether and how peripheral clonal deletion of alloreactive T cells induces transplantation tolerance. Here, we establish that programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is a hallmark of alloreactive T cells and is associated with clonal expansion after alloantigen encounter. Moreover, we found that diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)–mediated ablation of PD-1
+
cells reshaped the TCR repertoire through peripheral clonal deletion of alloreactive T cells and promoted tolerance in mouse transplantation models. In addition, by using PD-1–specific depleting antibodies, we found that antibody-mediated depletion of PD-1
+
cells prevented heart transplant rejection and the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in humanized PD-1 mice. Thus, these data suggest that PD-1 is an attractive target for peripheral clonal deletion and induction of immune tolerance.
Disease evolution and organ damage accrual in patients with stable UCTD: a long-term monocentric inception cohort
Authors: Tani Chiara , Trentin Francesca , Parma Alice , Zucchi Dina , Cardelli Chiara , Stagnaro Chiara , Elefante Elena , Signorini Viola , Carli Linda , Manca Maria Laura , Mosca Marta
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTDs) are systemic autoimmune conditions that cannot be diagnosed nor classified as defined CTD; the majority maintains an undifferentiated profile (stable UCTD, sUCTD) over time. Data on long-term outcomes of sUCTD are lacking.

Methods

Retrospective longitudinal analysis of an inception cohort of 141 patients with sUCTD.

Disease evolution and damage accrual were evaluated at 1, 5 and 10 years. Partial least square (PLS) regression was used to identify the basal variables contributing to damage accrual at 1, 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Trend of damage over time was compared with a cohort of age-matched and sex-matched patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by means of Nelson-Aalen analysis.

Results

11.3% of patients evolved to a definite CTD after a median 11 years (IQR 6–25) from the first symptom. At last visit, 10% were on glucocorticoids and 6% on immunosuppressive therapy. In 27.3%, at least one item of organ damage was recorded according to the SLICC/DI score (mean score 1.19±0.46). At PLS analysis, age at diagnosis and age at first symptoms were related to damage at 1 year, not taking antimalarials and taking immunosuppressants were associated with damage at 5 years.

The mean survival without damage was 9.3 years in sUCTD and 8.4 years in SLE. The 10-year probability without damage was 62% and 23% in SLE and sUCTD, respectively (p=0.015).

Conclusions

Although less significantly impacted than in patients with SLE, in the long-term UCTDs can accumulate organ damage and evolve into defined connective tissue diseases.
Modified f(Q,C) gravity dark energy models with observational constraints
Authors: Maurya Dinesh Chandra
Published: April 2024

We investigate an isotropic and homogeneous flat dark energy model in [Formula: see text] gravity theory that is linear in non-metricity Q and quadratic in boundary term C as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a model parameter. We have solved the field equations in flat Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) spacetime geometry and considered a relation in the form of Hubble function in total energy density parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and Hubble constant [Formula: see text]. We have compared our results with two observational datasets [Formula: see text] and Pantheon SNe Ia datasets by using MCMC analysis and have obtained the best fit present values of parameters. We have used these best fit values throughout in result analysis and discussion. We have found the equation of state (EoS) parameter as [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text]. We have also investigated the Om diagnostic function and present age of the universe for these two datasets.
A novel quantum dialogue without information leakage based on single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom
Authors: Rao Shen
Published: April 2024

This paper puts forward a novel quantum dialogue (QD) protocol without information leakage based on single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom. In this protocol, the receiver sends his private message to the sender in the way of quantum secure direct communication; and the receiver decodes out the private message of the sender with the help of auxiliary single photons in two degrees of freedom, double controlled-not (CNOT) operations and an auxiliary classical bit sequence sent from the sender. As a result, no information leakage takes place. Moreover, this protocol is proven to defeat the intercept-resend attack, the measure-resend attack, the entangle-measure attack and the Trojan horse attack from an outside eavesdropper. This protocol only employs single photons in two degrees of freedom as quantum resource and needs single-photon measurements. The qubit efficiency of this protocol is as high as 66.7%.
The virtual spectrum of linkoids and open curves in 3-space
Authors: Barkataki Kasturi , Kauffman Louis H. , Panagiotou Eleni
Published: April 2024

The entanglement of open curves in 3-space appears in many physical systems and affects their material properties and function. A new framework in knot theory was introduced recently, that enables to characterize the complexity of collections of open curves in 3-space using the theory of knotoids and linkoids, which are equivalence classes of diagrams with open arcs. In this paper, new invariants of linkoids are introduced via a surjective map between linkoids and virtual knots. This leads to a new collection of strong invariants of linkoids that are independent of any given virtual closure. This gives rise to a collection of novel measures of entanglement of open curves in 3-space, which are continuous functions of the curve coordinates and tend to their corresponding classical invariants when the endpoints of the curves tend to coincide.
International Partnership as a Driver of Startups: Data on Canada and Israel
Authors: Ressin Marat
Published: April 2024

This study aims to analyze the opportunities and main directions of international cooperation for the activation of startups. To achieve this goal, the authors developed and implemented a comprehensive multi-stage research project based on a quantitative approach. The research used both the results of statistical observations and primary information obtained by online questionnaires. The questionnaires involved economically active people demonstrating an active interest in the organization of startups (408 questionnaires). The results of study may be valuable for public administration specialists in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship, specialists in business incubators and venture funds, as well as academic researchers.
The Effects of Digital Services Trade Barriers on ICT Services Exports
Authors: Gao Jinwu , Yuan Lin , Li Huijie
Published: April 2024

The trade subjects of digital services have constructed and strictly implemented a more targeted system of trade barriers. Information Communications Technology (ICT) services, as an important trade subject in the digital services field, are more prominently affected by the digital services trade barriers. To investigate the trade effects of digital services trade barriers on ICT services exports, this paper conducts a series of empirical tests using trade panel data of 18 exporting countries and 38 importing countries during the period of 2014–2020. Our results in the benchmark regression show that digital services trade barriers significantly inhibit the expansion of ICT services exports. By the industry and country heterogeneity analysis, we first find computer services are most significantly affected by the negative effect of the digital services trade barriers; then it reveals that the degree of trade inhibition of high ICT countries exporting to low ICT countries is extremely significant, followed by low ICT inter-country exports.
Brauer–Manin obstruction for Wehler K3 surfaces of Markoff type
Authors: Dao Quang-Duc
Published: April 2024

Following a recent work of Fuchs, Litman, Silverman, and Tran, we study the Brauer–Manin obstruction for integral points on Wehler K3 surfaces of Markoff type. In particular, we construct some families which fail the integral Hasse principle via the Brauer–Manin obstruction with some counting results of similar nature to those in recent works of Ghosh and Sarnak; Loughran and Mitankin; and Colliot-Thélène, Wei, and Xu. We also give some counterexamples to strong approximation which can be explained by the Brauer–Manin obstruction, and study a few aspects of rational points on affine surfaces.
The Role of Surgery to Relieve Symptomatic Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Refractory to Medical Treatments
Authors: Zhang Wesley Q. , Hecox Emily E. , Dogar Shireen , Walker Marc E.
Published: April 2024

Background: Though mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), it has no curative treatment. The aim of current topical and systemic treatment is centered around relieving symptoms and optimizing disease-free time. The use of surgical management to achieve the same goals of symptomatic reduction is not well described in the current literature.Methods: We present a case of refractory MF that failed chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and UV light therapy. Despite medical management, the tumor burden progressed to significant compression neuropathy of the ulnar and median nerves.Results: To reduce tumor burden and attempt to provide symptomatic relief, a surgical plan was developed to include radical resection of the tumor of the left upper extremity (LUE) with release of the cubital tunnel, carpal tunnel, Guyon canal, and coverage with split-thickness skin graft. The patient reported decreased symptomatology interfering with her daily activities and, overall, a better quality of life postoperatively.Conclusion: Surgical intervention, in addition to established medical standards of care, for symptomatic relief of compression neuropathy from tumor mass effect for refractory CTCL should be considered to achieve quality of life goals for patients.
A Case Report of Occult Breast Cancer Detected by Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Suspected Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Egami Arisa , Tarumi Yosuke , Okamura Ayaka , Aoyama Kohei , Kataoka Hisashi , Kokabu Tetsuya , Yoriki Kaori , Ito Fumitake , Mori Taisuke
Published: April 2024

Diagnostic laparoscopy is useful in the management of gynecological cancers; however, it can occasionally result in the detection of other malignancies. Occult breast cancer (OBC) is metastatic breast cancer without a recognized primary breast lesion. We report a rare case of OBC that was detected laparoscopically. A 64-year-old female presented to our hospital with back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 50 mm multicystic tumor with an internal nodule in the right ovary. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed abnormal accumulation in multiple lymph nodes, moderate accumulation in the ovarian tumor nodule, and no accumulation in the breasts. Ovarian cancer was suspected, and a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. Laparoscopically, a cystic tumor in the right ovary and 10 mm nodule in the right round ligament were observed and partially resected. Immunohistopathologically, the nodules of the round ligament exhibited features consistent with those of breast cancer, but the ovarian tumor was a seromucinous borderline tumor. MRI revealed no breast lesions. Therefore, the malignancy was diagnosed as an OBC.
First-line Avelumab plus Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: Results from the Phase Ib/II JAVELIN Chemotherapy Medley Study
Authors: Wheatley Duncan A. , Berardi Rossana , Climent Duran Miguel A. , Tomiak Anna , Greystoke Alastair P. , Joshua Anthony M. , Arkenau Hendrik-Tobias , Géczi Lajos , Corbacho Javier Garciá , Paz-Ares Luis G. , Hussain Syed A. , Petruželka Lubos , Delmonte Angelo , Chappey Colombe , Masters Joanna C. , Michelon Elisabete , Murphy Danielle A. , Mwewa Sandrine , Cesari Rossano , Doger de Spéville Bernard
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

Chemotherapy can potentially enhance the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors by promoting immune priming. The phase Ib/II JAVELIN Chemotherapy Medley trial (NCT03317496) evaluated first-line avelumab + concurrent chemotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma or non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials and Methods:

Avelumab 800 or 1,200 mg was administered continuously every 3 weeks with standard doses of cisplatin + gemcitabine in patients with urothelial carcinoma, or carboplatin + pemetrexed in patients with nonsquamous NSCLC. Dual primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicity (DLT; phase Ib) and confirmed objective response (phase Ib/II).

Results:

In phase Ib, urothelial carcinoma and NSCLC cohorts received avelumab 800 mg (n = 13 and n = 6, respectively) or 1,200 mg (n = 6 each) + chemotherapy. In evaluable patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with avelumab 800 or 1,200 mg + chemotherapy, DLT occurred in 1/12 (8.3%) and 1/6 (16.7%), respectively; no DLT occurred in the NSCLC cohort. In phase II, 35 additional patients with urothelial carcinoma received avelumab 1,200 mg + chemotherapy. Across all treated patients, safety profiles were similar irrespective of avelumab dose. Objective response rates (95% confidence internal) with avelumab 800 or 1,200 mg + chemotherapy, respectively, across phase Ib/II, were 53.8% (25.1–80.8) and 39.0% (24.2–55.5) in urothelial carcinoma, and 50.0% (11.8–88.2) and 33.3% (4.3–77.7) in NSCLC.

Conclusions:

Preliminary efficacy and safety findings with avelumab + chemotherapy in urothelial carcinoma and NSCLC were consistent with previous studies of similar combination regimens. Conclusions about clinical activity are limited by small patient numbers.

Significance:

This phase Ib/II trial evaluated avelumab (immune checkpoint inhibitor) administered concurrently with standard first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma or advanced nonsquamous NSCLC without actionable mutations. Efficacy and safety appeared consistent with previous studies of similar combinations, although patient numbers were small.
TEAD4 Activates PCSK9 to Promote Stomach Adenocarcinoma Cell Stemness through Fatty Acid Metabolism
Authors: Xu Dongsheng , Han Gaohua , Zhou Xueyi , Yong Hongmei , Jia Yuanyuan , Zhao Fengjiao , Shi Huichang
Published: April 2024

Introduction: This study attempted to investigate how proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) influences the stemness of stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) cells. Methods: CCK-8 and sphere-formation assays were used to detect cell viability and stemness. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect PCSK9 and TEAD4 expression. The binding relationship was verified by dual-luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The effect of TEAD4 activating PCSK9 on the stemness of STAD cells was detected by bioinformatics, BODIPY 493/503, Oil red O, Western blot, and kits. In vivo experiments verified the role of the TEAD4/PCSK9 axis in tumor formation in nude mice. Results: PCSK9 and TEAD4 were highly expressed in STAD. PCSK9 was enriched in the fatty acid metabolism (FAM) pathway. PCSK9 activated the fatty acid metabolism and promoted the proliferation and stemness of STAD cells. TEAD4 as a transcription factor upstream of PCSK9, cell experiments revealed that knockdown of PCSK9 inhibited STAD cell stemness, whereas further addition of fatty acid inhibitors could attenuate the promoting effect on STAD cell stemness brought by STAD overexpression. Rescue experiments showed overexpressed PCSK9 exerted an inhibitory effect on the stemness of STAD cells brought by TEAD4 knockdown. The hypothesis that TEAD4/PCSK9 axis can promote STAD cell growth was confirmed by in vivo experiments. Conclusion: Transcription factor TEAD4 could activate PCSK9 to promote the stemness of STAD cells through FAM. These results added weight to the assumption that TEAD4/PCSK9 axis has the potential to be the therapeutic target that inhibits cancer stem cell in STAD.