bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mix optimization for expansive soil stabilized with a novel waste material-based geopolymerization approach
Authors: Maheepala M.M.A.L.N. , Nasvi M.C.M. , Robert D.J. , Gunasekara C. , Kurukulasuriya L.C.
Published: June 2024

Extensive areal distribution of expansive soil is a timely concern in engineering challenges. Geopolymers outperform conventional cement/lime treatment in expansive soil stabilization due to their superior mechanical and durability performance. However, the excessive cost and carbon footprint of commercial alkaline activators hinder geopolymer's widespread application. This study aims to derive a cost-effective, carbon-conscious mix to stabilize expansive soil using waste-based geopolymerization. Class F fly ash was activated via a novel solution of rice husk ash (RHA)-derived silicate and NaOH. Three factors (NaOH/RHA, NaOH molarity, mixing duration) were considered using the Taguchi method and utility concept for mix optimization, while further investigations were tailored to explore the effects of curing temperature (room temperature, 30 °C, and 40 °C) and the curing period (7, 14, and 28 days) on the strength development of treated soil. The results indicate that NaOH/RHA = 0.6, NaOH molarity = 3 mol/L, and a mixing duration of 40 min with curing temperatures of around 30 °C are ideal for maximizing the strength cost-effectively while significantly reducing the swell pressure (up to 28%). The shift from commercial Na2SiO3 to RHA-silicate is 89% cheaper and reduces the carbon footprint by 70%. The study benefits sustainable ground stabilization and efficient waste management.
Tomographic entanglement indicators in a coupled oscillator model
Authors: Pillai Sreelekshmi , Ramanan S. , Balakrishnan V. , Lakshmibala S.
Published: June 2024

We study entanglement in a simple model comprising two coupled linear harmonic oscillators of the same natural frequency. The system is separable in the center of mass (COM) and relative coordinates into two oscillators of frequency ω c and ω r. We compute standard entanglement measures (subsystem linear entropy and subsystem von Neumann entropy) as well as several tomographic entanglement indicators (Bhattacharyya distance, Kullback–Leibler divergence, and inverse participation ratio) as functions of the frequency ratio η = ω c/ω r, keeping the COM oscillator in its ground state. We demonstrate that, overall, the entanglement indicators reflect quite faithfully the variations in the standard measures. The entanglement is shown to be minimum at η = 1 and maximum at η → 0 or ∞.
Quintessence scalar field model in Weyl-type f(Q, T) gravity with wD – w′D analysis
Authors: Bhardwaj Vinod Kumar , Garg Priyanka
Published: June 2024

In the present study, we explore the dynamical characteristics of the quintessence cosmological model in Weyl-type f( Q, T) gravity. Here, T represents the trace of the matter energy–momentum tensor, and Q symbolizes the non-metricity tensor. We propose a solution to the field equation using the specific parametrization in the form q = β z(1 + z)−1 + α, which depicts the necessary transition of cosmos from decelerating era to the current accelerating scenario. The values of model parameters are estimated as H0 = 69.8 ± 1.2, α = −0.64 ± 0.027, and β = 1.549 ± 0.079 using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis and limiting the model with a joint dataset of Pantheon, baryon acoustic oscillation, and cosmic chronometer. We discuss the cosmic behavior of many features of the derived model like EoS parameters, energy density, and cosmic pressure. Further, we have also explored the cosmological behavior of the quintessence model in Weyl f( Q, T) gravity. We have described the cosmic behavior of the model by [Formula: see text] analysis. The diagnosis of the model is also performed using statefinders and jerk parameters. In the end, we have discussed the energy conditions for the proposed model.
Metric-affine cosmological models and the inverse problem of the calculus of variations. Part 1: variational bootstrapping – the method
Authors: Ducobu Ludovic , Voicu Nicoleta
Published: June 2024

The method of variational completion allows one to transform an (in principle, arbitrary) system of partial differential equations – based on an intuitive “educated guess” – into the Euler–Lagrange one attached to a Lagrangian, by adding a canonical correction term. Here, we extend this technique to theories that involve at least two sets of dynamical variables: we show that an educated guess of the field equations with respect to one of these sets of variables only is sufficient to variationally complete these equations and recover a Lagrangian for the full theory, up to boundary terms and terms that do not involve the respective variables. Applying this idea to natural metric-affine theories of gravity, we prove that, starting from an educated guess of the metric equations only, one can find the full metric equations, together with a generally covariant Lagrangian, up to metric-independent terms. The latter terms (which can only involve the distortion of the connection) are then completely classified over 4-dimensional spacetimes, by techniques pertaining to differential invariants.
Gravitational lensing by transparent Janis–Newman–Winicour naked singularities
Authors: Chen Deyou , Chen Yiqian , Wang Peng , Wu Tianshu , Wu Houwen
Published: June 2024

The Janis–Newman–Winicour (JNW) spacetime can describe a naked singularity with a photon sphere that smoothly transforms into a Schwarzschild black hole. Our analysis reveals that photons, upon entering the photon sphere, converge to the singularity in a finite coordinate time. Furthermore, if the singularity is subjected to some regularization, these photons can traverse the regularized singularity. Subsequently, we investigate the gravitational lensing of distant sources and show that new images emerge within the critical curve formed by light rays escaping from the photon sphere. These newfound images offer a powerful tool for the detection and study of JNW naked singularities.
A two-dimensional harmonic oscillator confined in a circle in the presence of a constant electric field: an informational approach
Authors: Cruz Elizabeth , Aquino N. , Prasad V. , Flores-Riveros A.
Published: June 2024

In this work, we study an electron subjected to a harmonic oscillator potential confined in a circle of radius $$r_0$$

r
0

and in the presence of a constant electric field. We obtain energies and eigenfunctions for three different confinement radii as a function of the electric field strength. We have used the linear variational method by constructing the trial function as a linear combination of two-dimensional confined harmonic oscillator wave functions. We calculate the radial standard deviation as a measure of the dispersion of the probability density. We also computed the Shannon entropy and Fisher information, in configuration and momentum spaces, as localization-delocalization measures for three different confinement radii and as a function of the electric field strength. We find that Shannon entropy and Fisher information are more reliable than variance in determining electron location. The behaviour of Shannon entropy and Fisher information curves is shown to depend on each specific state under study.

Graphical abstract
Glitter or gold? Deriving structured insights from sustainability reports via large language models
Authors: Bronzini Marco , Nicolini Carlo , Lepri Bruno , Passerini Andrea , Staiano Jacopo
Published: June 2024

Over the last decade, several regulatory bodies have started requiring the disclosure of non-financial information from publicly listed companies, in light of the investors’ increasing attention to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues. Publicly released information on sustainability practices is often disclosed in diverse, unstructured, and multi-modal documentation. This poses a challenge in efficiently gathering and aligning the data into a unified framework to derive insights related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Thus, using Information Extraction (IE) methods becomes an intuitive choice for delivering insightful and actionable data to stakeholders. In this study, we employ Large Language Models (LLMs), In-Context Learning, and the Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) paradigm to extract structured insights related to ESG aspects from companies’ sustainability reports. We then leverage graph-based representations to conduct statistical analyses concerning the extracted insights. These analyses revealed that ESG criteria cover a wide range of topics, exceeding 500, often beyond those considered in existing categorizations, and are addressed by companies through a variety of initiatives. Moreover, disclosure similarities emerged among companies from the same region or sector, validating ongoing hypotheses in the ESG literature. Lastly, by incorporating additional company attributes into our analyses, we investigated which factors impact the most on companies’ ESG ratings, showing that ESG disclosure affects the obtained ratings more than other financial or company data.
Revealing the Correlation Between Lyapunov Exponent and Modulus of an n-Dimensional Nondegenerate Hyperchaotic Map
Authors: Cao Yafei , Liu Hongjun
Published: June 2024

For their good randomness and long iteration periods, chaotic maps have been widely used in cryptography. Recently, we have revealed the correlation between Lyapunov exponent and sequence randomness of multidimensional chaotic maps based on modular operation. Since the modular operation can realize the boundedness of chaotic state points, it is important to further reveal the deterministic correlation between Lyapunov exponent and modulus. First, we constructed an [Formula: see text]-dimensional nondegenerate hyperchaotic map model with the desired Lyapunov exponents. Then, we gave the existence and uniqueness proof of quadrature rectangle decomposition theorem and revealed the correlation between Lyapunov exponent and modulus. The novelty lies in that (1) in order to realize the irreversibility of the iterative processes of chaotic maps, we constructed a chaotic map based on modular exponentiation, and its inverse function is the discrete logarithm problem; and (2) we reveal for the first time the correlation between Lyapunov exponent and modulus, and give the lower bound of the modulus of the nondegenerate chaotic map. In addition, to verify the effectiveness of the scheme, we constructed four-dimensional and five-dimensional chaotic maps, respectively, and analyzed their dynamical behaviors, and the results revealed that there exist linear or nonlinear correlation between Lyapunov exponent and modulus.
The fractal structure of high-energy era of the universe
Authors: Keskin A. I. , Kurt K.
Published: June 2024

This study examines the structure of the universe during its high-energy era. In this context, we examine Barrow’s proposal of entropy, which forecasts a fractal configuration for the geometric properties of the black hole’s horizon. By applying the principles of thermodynamics, we get the equation of motion using the Barrow entropic consideration. A quasi-de Sitter phase, in which fractal and non-fractal states may coexist, is determined. This is an uncertainty state (coexistence of fractal and non-fractal states), and so a deformation for de Sitter spacetime, which contains a high-energy scale in the framework of the COBE normalization. With the kinetic energy term of the inflation field, we remove this ambiguity owing to the field oscillations. However, the oscillatory behavior of the inflation field continues and causes the universe to enter a new phase state. At this point, in which the inflation field oscillations are over, we obtain a solution that provides the universe transition to the radiation and dust phases.
Estimating Power, Performance, and Area for On-Sensor Deployment of AR/VR Workloads Using an Analytical Framework
Authors: Sun Xiaoyu , Peng Xiaochen , Zhang Sai Qian , Gomez Jorge , Khwa Win-San , Sarwar Syed Shakib , Li Ziyun , Cao Weidong , Wang Zhao , Liu Chiao , Chang Meng-Fan , De Salvo Barbara , Akarvardar Kerem , Wong H.-S. Philip
Published: June 2024

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality have emerged as the next frontier of intelligent image sensors and computer systems. In these systems, 3D die stacking stands out as a compelling solution, enabling
in situ
processing capability of the sensory data for tasks such as image classification and object detection at low power, low latency, and a small form factor. These intelligent 3D CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) systems present a wide design space, encompassing multiple domains (e.g., computer vision algorithms, circuit design, system architecture, and semiconductor technology, including 3D stacking) that have not been explored in-depth so far. This article aims to fill this gap. We first present an analytical evaluation framework, STAR-3DSim, dedicated to rapid pre-RTL evaluation of 3D-CIS systems capturing the entire stack from the pixel layer to the on-sensor processor layer. With STAR-3DSim, we then propose several knobs for PPA (power, performance, area) improvement of the Deep Neural Network (DNN) accelerator that can provide up to 53%, 41%, and 63% reduction in energy, latency, and area, respectively, across a broad set of relevant AR/VR workloads. Last, we present full-system evaluation results by taking image sensing, cross-tier data transfer, and off-sensor communication into consideration.
Exploiting Container-Based Microservices forReliable Smart Mobility Applications
Authors: Sisinni E. , Flammini A. , Gaffurini M. , Ferrari P.
Published: June 2024

Smart mobility is emerging, addressing heterogeneous scenarios with high impact on technology infrastructures, solutions, and people. Safety and availability are mandatory, forcing the design of new reliable services for localization, health monitoring of the user, maintenance of vehicle, and protection of the environment. This paper proposes a container-based microservice approach to the edge computing in IoT smart mobility scenarios. Since smart mobility backends must manage a large heterogeneity of applications, the proposed approach is promising with respect to the classical solutions (based on "monolithic hardware+software" devices), from the point of view of flexibility, upgradability, security, scalability, and reliability. A demo use case, based on industry-grade hardware and Docker, has been realized and multiple implementations of the same services have been executed in parallel, showing strong independence between them. Moreover, average delays of less than 10 ms are obtained, confirming the usability in several smart mobility (and smart city) applications.
A POSIX/RTEMS Monitoring Tool and a Benchmark to Detect Real-Time Scheduling Anomalies
Authors: Djika Blandine , Kouamou Georges , Singhoff Frank , Plantec Alain
Published: June 2024

This article deals with scheduling anomalies in real-time systems. We present MONANO, a POSIX user-level library allowing applications to dynamically detect a preidentified set of real-time scheduling anomalies.

The MONANO library is based on the modelling of architecture and runtime constraints. MONANO monitors during the runtime the timing behavior of the application and deduces properties needed to identify scheduling anomalies.

We present also a benchmark to evaluate our approach. The benchmark is composed of several programs implementing the most frequent real-time scheduling anomalies.
Safety of the Intended Functionality Concept Integration into a Validation Tool Suite
Authors: Expósito Jiménez Víctor J. , Winkler Bernhard , Castella Triginer Joaquim M. , Scharke Heiko , Schneider Hannes , Brenner Eugen , Macher Georg
Published: June 2024

Nowadays, the increasing complexity of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving (AD) means that the industry must move towards a scenariobased approach to validation rather than relying on established technology-based methods. This new focus also requires the validation process to take into account Safety of the Intended Functionality (SOTIF), as many scenarios may trigger hazardous vehicle behaviour. Thus, this work demonstrates how the integration of the SOTIF process within an existing validation tool suite can be achieved. The necessary adaptations are explained with accompanying examples to aid comprehension of the approach.
Employing Informatics Strategies in Alzheimer's Disease Research: A Review from Genetics, Multiomics, and Biomarkers to Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Bao Jingxuan , Lee Brian N. , Wen Junhao , Kim Mansu , Mu Shizhuo , Yang Shu , Davatzikos Christos , Long Qi , Ritchie Marylyn D. , Shen Li
Published: June 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a critical national concern, affecting 5.8 million people and costing more than $250 billion annually. However, there is no available cure. Thus, effective strategies are in urgent need to discover AD biomarkers for disease early detection and drug development. In this review, we study AD from a biomedical data scientist perspective to discuss the four fundamental components in AD research: genetics (G), molecular multiomics (M), multimodal imaging biomarkers (B), and clinical outcomes (O) (collectively referred to as the GMBO framework). We provide a comprehensive review of common statistical and informatics methodologies for each component within the GMBO framework, accompanied by the major findings from landmark AD studies. Our review highlights the potential of multimodal biobank data in addressing key challenges in AD, such as early diagnosis, disease heterogeneity, and therapeutic development. We identify major hurdles in AD research, including data scarcity and complexity, and advocate for enhanced collaboration, data harmonization, and advanced modeling techniques. This review aims to be an essential guide for understanding current biomedical data science strategies in AD research, emphasizing the need for integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to advance our understanding and management of AD.
The Crisis in Oases: Research on Ecological Security and Sustainable Development in Arid Regions
Authors: Chen Yaning , Fang Gonghuan , Li Zhi , Zhang Xueqi , Gao Lei , Elbeltagi Ahmed , Shaer Hassan El , Duan Weili , Wassif Omnia Mohamed Abdou , Li Yupeng , Luo Pingping , Selmi Aida , Yu Ruide , Yang Jinhua , Hu Yanan , Liu Chuanxiu , Long Yunxia , Malik Ireneusz , Fu Aihong , Wistuba Małgorzata , Yang Yuhai , Zhu Chenggang , Gao Yuting
Published: June 2024

Arid areas cover approximately 41% of Earth's land surface and support more than 38% of the global population. As an important part of drylands, oases are the main carriers of human production, socioeconomic activity, and the ecological environment. Oases typically sustain nearly all of an arid region's human population and produce nearly 95% of its gross domestic product. The ongoing intensification of global warming and human activities has resulted in water stress and water-related environmental problems in arid areas, along with land degradation and desertification. The risk of water shortage and natural disasters in these regions has also increased. The solution to mitigate these environmental issues and achieve ecological security and sustainable socioeconomic development is to accelerate the modernization of oasis ecological agriculture. This can be accomplished by coordinating the contradictions between agricultural, industrial, and domestic water use and ecological water use in arid areas, thereby improving the level of management in oases and strengthening their ability to cope with climate change.
Embracing Complexity: What Novel Sequencing Methods Are Teaching Us About Herpesvirus Genomic Diversity
Authors: Ortigas-Vasquez Alejandro , Szpara Moriah
Published: June 2024

The arrival of novel sequencing technologies throughout the past two decades has led to a paradigm shift in our understanding of herpesvirus genomic diversity. Previously, herpesviruses were seen as a family of DNA viruses with low genomic diversity. However, a growing body of evidence now suggests that herpesviruses exist as dynamic populations that possess standing variation and evolve at much faster rates than previously assumed. In this review, we explore how strategies such as deep sequencing, long-read sequencing, and haplotype reconstruction are allowing scientists to dissect the genomic composition of herpesvirus populations. We also discuss the challenges that need to be addressed before a detailed picture of herpesvirus diversity can emerge.
Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Interferon Lambda at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Authors: Dedloff Margaret R. , Lazear Helen M.
Published: June 2024

Interferon lambda (IFN-λ, type III IFN, IL-28/29) is a family of antiviral cytokines that are especially important at barrier sites, including the maternal-fetal interface. Recent discoveries have identified important roles for IFN-λ during pregnancy, particularly in the context of congenital infections. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the activity of IFN-λ at the maternal-fetal interface, highlighting cell types that produce and respond to IFN-λ in the placenta, decidua, and endometrium. Further, we discuss the role of IFN-λ during infections with congenital pathogens including Zika virus, human cytomegalovirus, rubella virus, and Listeria monocytogenes. We discuss advances in experimental models that can be used to fill important knowledge gaps about IFN-λ-mediated immunity.
Cardiac stasis imaging, stroke, and silent brain infarcts in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Rodríguez-González Elena , Martínez-Legazpi Pablo , González-Mansilla Ana , Espinosa M. Ángeles , Mombiela Teresa , Guzmán De-Villoria Juan A. , Borja Maria Guadalupe , Díaz-Otero Fernando , Gómez de Antonio Rubén , Fernández-García Pilar , Fernández-Ávila Ana I. , Pascual-Izquierdo Cristina , del Álamo Juan C. , Bermejo Javier
Published: June 2024

Patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) are at higher risk of stroke than their age-matched population. However, the risk of bleeding neutralizes the benefit of preventive oral anticoagulation. In this work, we show that in patients in sinus rhythm, the burden of stroke is related to intraventricular stasis metrics derived from echocardiography. Therefore, stasis metrics may be useful to personalize primary prevention anticoagulation in these patients.
Detecting Keratoconus in Adolescents with Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Yücekul Burcu , Förster Anika , Dick H. Burkhard , Taneri Suphi
Published: June 2024

Purpose. Assessing the applicability of an algorithm developed for keratoconus detection in adolescents. This algorithm relies on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and incorporates features related to corneal pachymetric and epithelial thickness alterations. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients under the age of 18 and divided them into four groups according to the Belin‐Ambrosio display (Pentacam): normal, manifest, and subclinical keratoconus, as well as very asymmetric eye with normal topography and tomography (VAE‐NTT). Corneal and epithelial thickness maps (Cirrus 5000 HD‐OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Germany) were evaluated by a human grader. In the first step, if at least one of four parameters (pachymetry minimum (pachy min), pachy minimum‐median (min‐med), pachy superonasal‐inferotemporal (SN‐IT), or epithelial (epi SN‐IT)) exceeded its cut‐off value, the eye was considered as suspect. In the second step, the combined presence of coincident thinning of total cornea and epithelium as well as concentric epithelial thinning lead to the diagnosis of keratoconus. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity for the parameters. Results. The study involved 19 pediatric patients diagnosed with keratoconus, comprising 29 manifest keratoconic eyes, 3 eyes with subclinical keratoconus, and 5 VAE‐NTT eyes. In addition, 22 eyes from 11 normal adolescents were included in the analysis. The AUC values of parameters in step 1 were 0.889 for pachy min, 0.997 for pachy min‐med, 0.893 for pachy SN‐IT, and 0.998 for epi SN‐IT. When both steps were performed, this algorithm captured all manifest and subclinical pediatric keratoconic eyes. When all eyes of the keratoconus patients were combined, step 1 had 97.3% sensitivity and step 2 had 100% specificity. Conclusion. Using this OCT‐based approach in adolescents yielded a high level of agreement with the current gold standard, tomography. Using them together, potentially also with other examinations may improve the diagnostic accuracy of KC in the pediatric population. Integration of this approach into the software of the device to facilitate automated evaluations is desired.
Advanced Optimal Twin‐Setting Protection Coordination Scheme for Maximizing Microgrid Resilience
Authors: Alasali Feras , El-Naily Naser , Saidi Abdelaziz , Elghaffar Amer Nasr A. , Holderbaum William
Published: June 2024

The increasing penetration of distribution generators (DGs), such as PV systems, has led to a significant power protection concern for optimal overcurrent coordination. However, existing literature indicates that the traditional phase over current relay (OCR) scheme faces challenges such as instability, insensitivity, and lack of selectivity when handling the integration of DGs and ground fault scenarios. To address this issue, this study proposes a new optimal twin‐setting OCR coordination scheme for phase and ground events using standard and nonstandard tripping characteristics. The water cycle optimization algorithm (WCOA) is utilized to develop a coordinated optimum strategy that mitigates the effects of DGs on the currents and locations of faults across the power grid. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach, different case studies of an IEEE power network (9 buses) equipped with two 5 MW PV systems are conducted using industrial software (ETAP). Under various fault conditions (phase and ground faults) and power network operation modes (with and without PVs and islanding modes), the outcomes of the newly developed optimal coordination scheme are compared to the results of conventional schemes. The proposed twin OCR coordinating scheme is found to reduce the total tripping time of OCRs up to 62.3% and increase the selectivity of the relays without miscoordination events.
Nursing Students’ Experiences of Pursuing Competency in Nursing amidst COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Üzar-Özçetin Yeter Sinem , Öcalan Sinem
Published: June 2024

Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the final year nursing students’ experiences of pursuing competency in nursing amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic. Design and Methods. An explanatory descriptive qualitative design study was conducted between May and June 2021. Data were collected by conducting in‐depth semistructured online (Zoom) interviews using a pilot‐tested interview guide. A digital platform (Zoom) was applied for online individual interviews. The participants were 23 final‐year nursing students. Findings. The results of the study revealed three main themes: (1) missed learning opportunities, (2) future concerns, and (3) communication difficulties. Nursing students’ experiences were mainly negative with a specific focus on missed learning opportunities, concerns about their future role in the profession, and questioning their skills from communication skills to competency. Practice Implications. The study results underline the concerns of nursing students who were students during the COVID‐19 outbreak, in particular about their competency. Due to COVID‐19, nursing students had to take some of their clinical placements online, which in turn interrupted the students’ professional transition process. The results of this study are important in increasing nursing students’ competencies by providing a deeper understanding of their experiences and planning practices to ensure an uninterrupted transition process.
Missense Mutations in Myc Box I Influence Nucleocytoplasmic Transport to Promote Leukemogenesis
Authors: Arthur Nancy B.J. , Christensen Keegan A. , Mannino Kathleen , Ruzinova Marianna B. , Kumar Ashutosh , Gruszczynska Agata , Day Ryan B. , Erdmann-Gilmore Petra , Mi Yiling , Sprung Robert , York Conner R. , Townsend Robert R. , Spencer David H. , Sykes Stephen M. , Ferraro Francesca
Published: June 2024

Purpose:

Somatic missense mutations in the phosphodegron domain of the MYC gene (MYC Box I or MBI) are detected in the dominant clones of a subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the mechanisms by which they contribute to AML are unknown.

Experimental Design:

To investigate the effects of MBI MYC mutations on hematopoietic cells, we employed a multi-omic approach to systematically compare the cellular and molecular consequences of expressing oncogenic doses of wild type, threonine-58 and proline-59 mutant MYC proteins in hematopoietic cells, and we developed a knockin mouse harboring the germline MBI mutation p.T58N in the Myc gene.

Results:

Both wild-type and MBI mutant MYC proteins promote self-renewal programs and expand highly selected subpopulations of progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Compared with their wild-type counterparts, mutant cells display decreased cell death and accelerated leukemogenesis in vivo, changes that are recapitulated in the transcriptomes of human AML-bearing MYC mutations. The mutant phenotypes feature decreased stability and translation of mRNAs encoding proapoptotic and immune-regulatory genes, increased translation of RNA binding proteins and nuclear export machinery, and distinct nucleocytoplasmic RNA profiles. MBI MYC mutant proteins also show a higher propensity to aggregate in perinuclear regions and cytoplasm. Like the overexpression model, heterozygous p.T58N knockin mice displayed similar changes in subcellular MYC localization, progenitor expansion, transcriptional signatures, and develop hematopoietic tumors.

Conclusions:

This study uncovers that MBI MYC mutations alter RNA nucleocytoplasmic transport mechanisms to contribute to the development of hematopoietic malignancies.
Transplantes de órgãos de cadáveres: a visão jurídica das questões médico-legais
Authors: Marrey Neto José Adriano
Published: June 2024

O texto analisa, sob o ponto de vista do Direito, a atividade do médico-legista relacionada com os transplantes de órgãos de cadáveres. Discute a existência de critério para a constatação da morte, a possibilidade de utilizar órgãos de cadáveres e a responsabilidade acometida aos legistas, inclusive sob o aspecto penal.
Lesões dentárias: avaliação em âmbito penal
Authors: Silva Moacyr da , Cardozo Hilda Ferreira , Penna João Bosco
Published: June 2024

Os autores analisam, em âmbito penal, os critérios de avaliação do dano das lesões dentárias de origem traumática. Considerando as controvérsias existentes sobre a importância que os dentes desempenham no cômputp da funcionalidade físico-psíquica do indivíduo, discutem as diferentes funções exercidas pelos elementos dentários, consequências terapêuticas das lesões que os atingem e as reposições protéticas, tendo em vista o artigo 129 do Código Penal Brasileiro e seus parágrafos.
Alterações morfoestruturais em órgãos de Rattus novergicus decorrentes de putrefação no intervalo de 96 horas post-mortem
Authors: Luz Marcus Alexandre Mendes
Published: June 2024

Estudos sobre a ação degradativa da putrefação em estruturas tissulares de Rattus novergicus permitiram uma observação sistemática envolvendo os fenômenos autolíticos que se sucedem no núcleo e no citoplasma. As observações foram realizadas 96 horas post-mortem (HPM) e o material coletado foi processado e corado por técnicas histológicas de rotina - H.E. Comparando-se com tecidos normais, constaou-se a presença de sombra celular e cariólise no fígado, baço, intestino e fibras musculares da língua. Especificamente, verificou-se no fígado que a homogeinização acarretou a modificação estrutural das trabéculas de Remak, juntamente com a vacuolização do lóbulo. No pulmão os alvéolos apresentaram-se compactados originando uma imagem homogênea e amorfa com lacerações. No baço observou-se a cromatólise e a alteração da basofilia e acidofilia das células em relação ao corante. No intestino houve tumefação das vilosidades. A túnica submucosa mostrou-se praticamente desintegrada. Das estruturas musculares analisou-se a língua e o miocárdio, constatando-se na primeira as faixas isotrópicas e anisotrópicas preservadas. No miocárdio houve tumefação nuclear e maior preservação dos tecidos.
Prognostic Value of a Multi-mRNA Signature for 1-Year All-Cause Death in Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Gao Yan , Chen Bowang , Han Yi , Lu Jiapeng , Li Xi , Tian Aoxi , Zhang Lihua , Wang Bin , Hong Yun , Liu Jiamin , Li Yan , Bilige Wuhan , Zhang Haibo , Zheng Xin , Li Jing
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a major global public health problem, while effective risk stratification tools are still lacking. We sought to construct a multi-mRNA signature to predict 1-year all-cause death.

METHODS:

We selected 30 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction who died during 1-year follow-up and 30 who survived in the discovery set. One hundred seventy-one and 120 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction were randomly selected as a test set and a validation set, respectively. We performed mRNA microarrays in all patients.

RESULTS:

We constructed a 5-mRNA signature for predicting 1-year all-cause death. The scores of the 5-mRNA signature were significantly associated with the 1-year risk of all-cause death in both the test set (hazard ratio, 2.72 [95% CI, 1.98–3.74];
P
<0.001) and the validation set (hazard ratio, 3.95 [95% CI, 2.40–6.48];
P
<0.001). Compared with a reference model, which included sex, ASCEND-HF (Acute Study of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Decompensated Heart Failure) score, history of HF and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), the 5-mRNA signature had a better discrimination capability, with an increased area under the curve from 0.696 to 0.813 in the test set and from 0.712 to 0.848 in the validation set. A composite model integrating the 5-mRNA risk score and variables in the reference model demonstrated an excellent discrimination capability, with an area under the curve of 0.861 (95% CI, 0.784–0.939) in the test set and an area under the curve of 0.859 (95% CI, 0.755–0.963) in the validation set. The net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement indicated that the composite model significantly improved patient classification compared with the reference model in both sets (
P
<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The 5-mRNA signature is a promising predictive tool for 1-year all-cause death and shows improved prognostic power over the established risk scores and NT-proBNP in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Tipifarnib Reduces Extracellular Vesicles and Protects From Heart Failure
Authors: Mallaredy Vandana , Roy Rajika , Cheng Zhongjian , Thej Charan , Benedict Cindy , Truongcao May , Joladarashi Darukeshwara , Magadum Ajit , Ibetti Jessica , Cimini Maria , Gonzalez Carolina , Garikipati Venkata Naga Srikanth , Koch Walter J. , Kishore Raj
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Extracellular vesicles, including small extracellular vesicles or exosomes, and their molecular cargo are known to modulate cell-to-cell communication during multiple cardiac diseases. However, the role of systemic extracellular vesicle biogenesis inhibition in HF models is not well documented and remains unclear.

METHODS:

We investigated the role of circulating exosomes during cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in a mouse transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model of HF. Importantly, we investigate the efficacy of tipifarnib, a recently identified exosome biogenesis inhibitor that targets the critical proteins (Rab27a [Ras associated binding protein 27a], nSMase2 [neutral sphingomyelinase 2], and Alix [ALG-2-interacting protein X]) involved in exosome biogenesis for this mouse model of HF. In this study, 10-week-old male mice underwent TAC surgery were randomly assigned to groups with and without tipifarnib treatment (10 mg/kg 3 times/wk) and monitored for 8 weeks, and a comprehensive assessment was conducted through performed echocardiographic, histological, and biochemical studies.

RESULTS:

TAC significantly elevated circulating plasma exosomes and markedly increased cardiac left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Furthermore, injection of plasma exosomes from TAC mice induced left ventricular dysfunction and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in uninjured mice without TAC. On the contrary, treatment of tipifarnib in TAC mice reduced circulating exosomes to baseline and remarkably improved left ventricular functions, hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Tipifarnib treatment also drastically altered the miRNA profile of circulating post-TAC exosomes, including miR 331-5p, which was highly downregulated both in TAC circulating exosomes and in TAC cardiac tissue. Mechanistically, miR 331-5p is crucial for inhibiting the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition by targeting HOXC8, a critical regulator of fibrosis. Tipifarnib treatment in TAC mice upregulated the expression of miR 331-5p that acts as a potent repressor for one of the fibrotic mechanisms mediated by HOXC8.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study underscores the pathological role of exosomes in HF and fibrosis in response to pressure overload. Tipifarnib-mediated inhibition of exosome biogenesis and cargo sorting may serve as a viable strategy to prevent progressive cardiac remodeling in HF.
Olfactory Impairment and the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Adults
Authors: Chamberlin Keran W. , Yuan Yaqun , Li Chenxi , Luo Zhehui , Reeves Mathew , Kucharska‐Newton Anna , Pinto Jayant M. , Ma Jiantao , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Chen Honglei
Published: June 2024

Background

Olfactory impairment is common in older adults and may be associated with adverse cardiovascular health; however, empirical evidence is sparse. We examined olfaction in relation to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods and Results

This study included 2537 older adults (aged 75.6±2.8 years) from the Health ABC (Health, Aging, and Body Composition) study with olfaction assessed by the 12‐item Brief Smell Identification Test in 1999 to 2000, defined as poor (score ≤8), moderate (9–10), or good (11–12). The outcomes were incident CHD, stroke, and CHF. During up to a 12‐year follow‐up, 353 incident CHD, 258 stroke, and 477 CHF events were identified. Olfaction was statistically significantly associated with incident CHF, but not with CHD or stroke. After adjusting for demographics, risk factors, and biomarkers of CHF, the cause‐specific hazard ratio (HR) of CHF was 1.32 (95% CI, 1.05–1.66) for moderate and 1.28 (95% CI, 1.01–1.64) for poor olfaction. These associations were robust in preplanned subgroup analyses by age, sex, race, and prevalent CHD/stroke. While the subgroup results were not statistically significantly different, the association of olfaction with CHF appeared to be evident among participants who reported very good to excellent health (HR, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.01–2.14] for moderate; and 1.76 [95% CI, 1.20–2.58] for poor olfaction), but not among those with fair to poor self‐reported health (HR, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.64–1.70] for moderate; and 0.92 [95% CI, 0.58–1.47] for poor olfaction).

Conclusions

In community‐dwelling older adults, a single olfaction test was associated with a long‐term risk for incident CHF, particularly among those reporting very good to excellent health.
Building a Liturgical Identity through Baptism and the Eucharist
Authors: Wong Ho Lun Donald
Published: June 2024

This paper proposes that the Didache crafts a liturgical identity for its community – an identity centred around Baptismal and Eucharistic rites, with which community members become both privileged celebrants and partakers. This liturgically oriented strategy differs from the more familiar theological or ethnic demarcation of communal boundaries. Furthermore, reading Didache as a liturgical identity-forming document potentially resolves a long-standing debate – whether Didache is an ad hoc compilation of mixed texts (e.g. Niederwimmer) or a unified corpus (e.g. Milavec). While disagreeing with Milavec’s conception of a “rule book”, this paper argues that Didache is a unified text that shapes a liturgical identity of its community. The sacramental arrangements (chs 7–10) effectively explain (and even necessitate) the placing of the “Two-Way” moral tractate (chs1–6) before, and the guidelines dealing with itinerant ministers (chs11–15) and the mini-apocalypse (ch.16) after.
Design of Fostered Power Terahertz VLSI Testing Using Deep Neural Network and Embrace User Intent Optimization
Authors: Dharanika T. , Jaya J. , Nandakumar E.
Published: June 2024

VLSI (Very Large-Scale Integration) testing is a crucial step in ensuring the reliability and functionality of integrated circuits. However, conventional testing methods often lack the ability to address user-specific requirements, resulting in suboptimal outcomes. Terahertz technology
offers unique capabilities for non-destructive testing, yet its integration with VLSI testing methodologies remains limited. Additionally, the neglect of user preferences in testing processes poses a challenge to tailoring testing procedures to specific user needs. This research presents a
novel approach for fostered power terahertz VLSI testing, integrating deep neural networks (DNNs) and user intent optimization principles. The proposed framework comprises three main components: terahertz signal processing, deep neural network-based feature extraction, and user intent optimization.
Terahertz signals are analyzed using deep neural networks trained on labeled datasets, while user intent optimization algorithms dynamically adjust testing parameters based on user feedback. Comparative analysis with traditional testing methods reveals superior testing coverage and accuracy
achieved through the integration of Terahertz Technology (TZT), deep neural networks, and user intent optimization. Our approach demonstrated a significant improvement in reliability, with values ranging from 92.5% to 95.8%, depending on the specific testing scenario and dataset used for evaluation.
The accuracy achieved by our methodology surpassed existing technologies by a substantial margin. Across various experiments, accuracy values ranged from 87.3% to 91.6%, indicating a consistent improvement over baseline methods.
Understanding the Biases in Global Monsoon Simulations from the Perspective of Atmospheric Energy Transport
Authors: Chen Ziming , Zhou Tianjun , Chen Xiaolong , Zhang Lixia , Qian Yun , Wang Zeyi , He Linqiang , Leung L. Ruby
Published: June 2024

Understanding global monsoon (GM) variability and projecting its future changes rely heavily on climate models. However, climate models generally show pronounced biases in GM simulations, and the reasons for this remain unclear. Here, we evaluate the performance of 20 pairs of climate models that participated in both phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and phase 6 of CMIP (CMIP6) and identify the sources of their GM simulation biases from an energy transport perspective. The multimodel mean improvement in CMIP6 compared to CMIP5 is demonstrated by the increasing skill scores for various GM metrics from 0.20–0.79 to 0.48–0.83. More specifically, the dry biases in the Northern Hemisphere Summer Monsoon (NHSM) precipitation in CMIP5 [root-mean-square error (RMSE): 1.85 mm day−1] are reduced in CMIP6 (RMSE: 1.66 mm day−1). This higher simulation skill is associated with higher skill in simulating the precipitation-solstitial mode, monsoon intensity, and monsoon domains. The improvement in the NHSM precipitation simulation results from that in the meridional transport of atmospheric energy. Atmospheric energy budget analysis shows that the negative biases in downward surface longwave radiation and northward energy transport are smaller in CMIP6 than in CMIP5 in the boreal summer, resulting in a more realistic interhemispheric thermal contrast and meridional gradient of moist static energy. However, a major weakness of the CMIP6 models is found in the Southern Hemisphere Summer Monsoon precipitation simulation due to the positive bias in the top-of-the-atmosphere downward longwave radiation. This study shows that reasonably reproducing the meridional global atmospheric energy transportation is necessary for skillful GM simulation.
Development of a harmonized sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire for mental health research: A Delphi-method-based consensus recommendation
Authors: Lotfaliany Mojtaba , Agustini Bruno , Walker Adam J , Turner Alyna , Wrobel Anna L , Williams Lana J , Dean Olivia M , Miles Stephanie , Rossell Susan L , Berk Michael , Mohebbi Mohammadreza ,   the HDQ Investigator Group
Published: June 2024

Objective:

Harmonized tools are essential for reliable data sharing and accurate identification of relevant factors in mental health research. The primary objective of this study was to create a harmonized questionnaire to collect demographic, clinical and behavioral data in diverse clinical trials in adult psychiatry.

Methods:

We conducted a literature review and examined 24 questionnaires used in previously published randomized controlled trials in psychiatry, identifying a total of 27 domains previously explored. Using a Delphi-method process, a task force team comprising experts in psychiatry, epidemiology and statistics selected 15 essential domains for inclusion in the final questionnaire.

Results:

The final selection resulted in a concise set of 22 questions. These questions cover factors such as age, sex, gender, ancestry, education, living arrangement, employment status, home location, relationship status, and history of medical and mental illness. Behavioral factors like physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use were also included, along with one question addressing family history of mental illness. Income was excluded due to high confounding and redundancy, while language was included as a measure of migration status.

Conclusion:

The recommendation and adoption of this harmonized tool for the assessment of demographic, clinical and behavioral data in mental health research can enhance data consistency and enable comparability across clinical trials.
‘I can’t bear giving my baby away’: Negotiation of reproductive rights of migrant domestic workers and implications for social work
Authors: Kwok Kim , Lam Carmen
Published: June 2024

This article explores the experiences of pregnant migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, focusing on their coping approaches and negotiation of reproductive rights. While some faced structural vulnerabilities and remained passive, others transitioned from passivity to assertiveness in negotiating their rights. It emphasizes the ethical obligation of social workers to address disparities in international standards, labour laws, professional commitments, and actual service provision. The study reveals the complex challenges faced by pregnant migrant domestic workers that surpass mere informational or structural limitations. Recommendations are provided to bridge the service gap, guided by social justice and a rights-based framework.