bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering Stromal Changes between Metastatic and Non-metastatic Canine Mammary Carcinomas
Authors: Ettlin Julia , Bauer Alina , Opitz Lennart , Malbon Alexandra , Markkanen Enni
Published: July 2023

Cancer-associated stroma (CAS) is widely recognized to influence development and progression of epithelial tumours including breast cancer. Canine mammary tumours (CMTs) such as simple canine mammary carcinomas represent valuable models for human breast cancer also with respect to stromal reprogramming. However, it remains unclear whether and how CAS changes in metastatic tumours compared to non-metastatic ones. To characterize stromal changes between metastatic and non-metastatic CMTs and identify potential drivers of tumour progression, we analysed CAS and matched normal stroma from 16 non-metastatic and 15 metastatic CMTs by RNA-sequencing of microdissected FFPE tissue. We identified 1438 differentially regulated genes between CAS and normal stroma, supporting previous results demonstrating stromal reprogramming in CMTs to be comparable with CAS in human breast cancer and validating deregulation of pathways and genes associated with CAS. Using primary human fibroblasts activated by treatment with TGFβ, we demonstrate some of the strongest expression changes to be conserved in fibroblasts across species. Furthermore, we identify 132 differentially expressed genes between CAS from metastatic and non-metastatic tumours, with strong changes in pathways including chemotaxis, regulation of apoptosis, immune response and TGFβ signalling and validate deregulation of several targets using RT-qPCR. Finally, we identify specific upregulation of COL6A5, F5, GALNT3, CIT and MMP11 in metastatic CAS, suggesting high stromal expression of these targets to be linked to malignancy and metastasis of CMTs. In summary, our data present a resource supporting further research into stromal changes of the mammary gland in relation to metastasis with implications for both canine and human mammary cancer.
Prompt gamma rays from fast neutron induced reactions on cerium and chlorine
Authors: Ophoven Niklas , Ilic Zeljko , Mauerhofer Eric , Randriamalala Tsitohaina H. , Vezhlev Egor , Stieghorst Christian , Révay Zsolt , Brückel Thomas , Jolie Jan , Strub Erik
Published: July 2023

Prompt gamma rays of cerium and chlorine were investigated with the FaNGaS (Fast Neutron-induced Gamma-ray Spectrometry) instrument operated at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching. The gamma radiation was emitted from (n,n’), (n,p) and (n,α) reactions induced by the irradiation of a cerium(III) chloride (CeCl3) sample with a beam of fission neutrons. Additionally, a polyvinylchloride (PVC, (C2H3Cl)n) sample was irradiated to verify possible interferences between gamma lines of cerium and chlorine. We identified 87 prompt gamma lines of cerium and chlorine. From these, we assigned 58 lines to the (n,n’) reaction in cerium (one for136Ce, 41 for140Ce and 16 for142Ce), 23 to the (n,n’) reaction in chlorine (15 for35Cl and 8 for37Cl), 5 lines to the35Cl(n,p)35S reaction and 1 line to the35Cl(n,α)32P reaction. We present relative intensities and fast-neutron spectrum-averaged partial cross sections of the aforementioned gamma lines and compare them with available literature data. Identification of new lines and discussion of possible errors adds important value to the literature data found to be consistent with our results. In addition, for a counting time of 12 h we estimate the detection limits for cerium and chlorine as 1 and 2 mg, respectively.
Seville history insight through their construction mortars
Authors: Perez-Rodriguez Jose L. , Perez-Maqueda Luis A. , Franquelo Maria L. , Duran Adrian
Published: July 2023

Seville is intimately linked to its historic role and extensive cultural heritage. The city has been occupied by Romans, Arabs and Christians, who built important historical buildings. Roman (first–second centuries) and Arabic (eleventh century) buildings, medieval Shipyard (thirteenth century), San Isidoro and Santa Maria de las Cuevas monasteries (fifteenth century), Santa María de las Cuevas (fifteenth century modified in eighteenth century), El Salvador Church (eighteenth century), the Royal Ordnance building (eighteenth century) and Santa Angela de la Cruz convent (twentieth century) performed with lining mortars, and mortars used in building stones (City Hall and Marchena Gate), all of them located in Seville (Spain), have been studied. Ninety-four mortar samples (employed as structural, plaster, coating) originally used or applied in restoration processes have been collected to perform an archaeometry study. The ratio of CO2 mass loss to hydraulic water (H2O) mass loss, and the mineralogical characterization by X-ray diffraction has been used to compare the mortars used in the different historical periods. Mainly hydraulic mortars were widely used in all these studied monuments as most mortars showed CO2/H2O ratios within the 4–10 range. Moreover, the thermal analysis curves also showed a broad temperature range for the thermal decomposition of the carbonate fraction of the mortars.
Authority, Democracy, and Legislative Intent
Authors: Vraciu Cosmin
Published: July 2023

On one account, courts ought to enforce legislative intent only when the public meaning of the text of the statute is unclear, and on another account, they should enforce the intent even when the public meaning is clear. In this paper, I argue against both approaches. My argument rests on considerations related to the moral authority of the democratically made law. More specifically, I argue that those considerations which make democratic law morally authoritative entail that judges ought to enforce the public meaning, when this is clear, and that interpretation of the public meaning which is closest to the balance of moral reasons, when the public meaning is unclear.
Ambiguous Sovereignty: Political Judgment and the Limits of Law in Kant’s Doctrine of Right
Authors: Bailey Tom
Published: July 2023

Kantian legalism is now the dominant scholarly interpretation of Kant and an important approach to legal and political philosophy in its own right. One notable feature is its construal of the relationship between law and politics decisively in law’s favour: Law subordinates politics. Political judgment is constrained by and only permissibly exercised through law. This paper opposes this subordination through a close analysis of an ambiguity in Kant’s conception of sovereignty. Understanding this ambiguity requires seeing that, for Kant, law cannot subordinate the sovereign’s political judgment because it is a condition which makes a legal system possible. Kant was not an exacting legalist, but a practical reasoner struggling with the pressures politics imposes on finite beings. Through discussion of a leading contemporary approach, and close engagement with its historical source, the paper raises new considerations about the relevance of political judgment in the relationship of law and politics.
The agency of greenwashing
Authors: Ghitti Marco , Gianfrate Gianfranco , Palma Lorenza
Published: July 2023

As climate change increasingly challenges business models, the disclosure of firm environmental performance casts growing attention by corporate stakeholders. This creates wider opportunities and incentives for greenwash behaviors. We propose a novel set of measures to capture greenwashing and we investigate the association between greenwashing and corporate governance features that traditionally mitigate agency problems. We show that board characteristics are variously associated with the apparent degree of corporate greenwashing. Firms with more independent directors tend to greenwash more, the presence of female board directors seems to have a positive impact on the degree of greenwashing, while the effect of board size on greenwashing remains ambiguous. Importantly, we find that greenwashing reduces firm value.
Micromechanical homogenization of a hydrogel-filled electrospun scaffold for tissue-engineered epicardial patching of the infarcted heart: a feasibility study
Authors: Sack Kevin L. , Mandel Nicolas , Pugno Nicola M. , Bezuidenhout Deon , Limbert Georges , Moscato Francesco , Davies Neil H. , Franz Thomas , Abdalrahman Tamer
Published: July 2023

For tissue engineering applications, accurate prediction of the effective mechanical properties of tissue scaffolds is critical. Open and closed cell modelling, mean-field homogenization theory, and finite element (FE) methods are theories and techniques currently used in conventional homogenization methods to estimate the equivalent mechanical properties of tissue-engineering scaffolds. This study aimed at developing a formulation to link the microscopic structure and macroscopic mechanics of a fibrous electrospun scaffold filled with a hydrogel for use as an epicardial patch for local support of the infarcted heart. The macroscopic elastic modulus of the scaffold was predicted to be 0.287 MPa with the FE method and 0.290 MPa with the closed-cell model for the realistic fibre structure of the scaffold, and 0.108 MPa and 0.540 MPa with mean-field homogenization for randomly oriented and completely aligned fibres. The homogenized constitutive description of the scaffold was implemented for an epicardial patch in a FE model of a human cardiac left ventricle to assess the effects of patching on myocardial mechanics and ventricular function in the presence of an infarct. Epicardial patching was predicted to reduce maximum myocardial stress in the infarcted LV from 19 kPa (no patch) to 9.5 kPa (patch) and to marginally improve the ventricular ejection fraction from 40% (no patch) to 43% (patch). This study demonstrates the feasibility of homogenization techniques to represent complex multiscale structural features in a simplified but meaningful and effective manner.
Multi-Layer 5G Network Slicing with UAVs: An Optimization Model
Authors: Colajanni Gabriella , Sciacca Daniele
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we present a network-based optimization model describing a closed-loop supply chain for the provision of 5G network slices on demand to users and devices on the ground. The three-tier supply chain network consists of a fleet of pre-existing UAVs, to which others can be added, managed by a fleet of UAV controllers, whose purpose is to perform services requested by users and devices on the ground. The aim of this paper is to provide a constrained optimization problem through which the providers’ profits are maximized, determining the global optimal distributions of request flows, the global optimal distributions of executed services and the optimal reliability level of pre-existing UAVs of the fleet. We also derive the associated Variational inequality formulation of the problem and, finally, a numerical simulation is performed to validate the effectiveness of the model.
A nonsmooth Newton method for solving the generalized complementarity problem
Authors: Vivas Hevert , Pérez Rosana , Arias Carlos A.
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we present a new nonsmooth Newton-type algorithm for solving the generalized complementarity problem based on its reformulation as a system of nonlinear equations using a one-parametric family of complementarity functions. We demonstrate, under suitable hypotheses, that this algorithm converges locally and q-quadratically. In addition, we show numerical experiments that allow us to see the good performance of the proposed algorithm.
Assessing Leadership Styles in Patient Advocacy Associations: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Morandi Federica , Cicchetti Americo
Published: July 2023

Leaders’ characteristics are among the factors determining organizational results. Knowledge about the characteristics of patient advocacy association leaders remains scarce but is useful to further increase their involvement in decision-making processes. To fill this knowledge gap, using the Mouton and Blake managerial grid, we explored the leadership styles adopted by a sample of patient advocacy association leaders. We aimed to illustrate their profiles, thus offering a useful self-assessment tool. The majority of the 94 surveyed leaders showed the team leader style, and a smaller number presented less mature profiles. This research paves the way for future action to improve their leadership style.
The explanatory power of explanatory variables
Authors: Johannesson Erik , Ohlson James A. , Zhai Sophia Weihuan
Published: July 2023

This paper examines the current empirical accounting research paradigm. We ask: In general, do the estimated regressions support the promoted narratives? We focus on a regression model’s main variable of interest and consider the extent to which it contributes to the explanation of the dependent variable. We replicate 10 recently published accounting studies, all of which rely on significant t-statistics, per conventional levels, to claim rejection of the null hypothesis. Our examination shows that in eight studies, the incremental explanatory power contributed by the main variable of interest is effectively zero. For the remaining two, the incremental contribution is at best marginal. These findings highlight the apparent overreliance on t-statistics as the primary evaluation metric. A closer examination of the data shows that the t-statistics produced reject the null hypothesis primarily due to a large number of observations (N). Empirical accounting studies often require N > 10,000 to reject the null hypothesis. To avoid the drawback of t-statistics’ connection with N, we consider the implications of using Standardized Regressions (SR). The magnitude of SR coefficients indicates variables’ relevance directly. Empirical analyses establish a strong correlation between a variable’s estimated SR coefficient magnitude and its incremental explanatory power, without reference to N or t-statistics.
Education Expansion, Income Inequality and Structural Transformation: Evidence From OECD Countries
Authors: Makhlouf Yousef , Lalley Christopher
Published: July 2023

We study the relationship between educational inequality, income inequality and economic transformation using data of 20 OECD countries from 1870 to 2016. Our results show that educational expansion policies increase income inequality in the long run, while having no significant effect on the short run. The structural transformation suggested by Kuznets (1955) explains this potentially counter intuitive result, where contemporary policy, given its focus on the importance of increasing participation and expanding education, must be predicated on the notion that education expansion should decrease income inequality. We quantify the impact of educational inequality on employment in different sectors and find that education expansion promotes the structural transformation towards a higher wage disparity sector. Particularly, expanding education increases the employment in the service sector and reduces the employment in the agriculture sector. Overall, our findings suggest that educational expansion policies play an important role in economic development via promoting the structural transformation, though this leads to higher income inequality. That education expansion is ineffective in reducing income inequality, and instead exacerbates it in the long run, requires significant policy revision despite the popularity of such policies.
The Radius of Metric Regularity Revisited
Authors: Gfrerer Helmut , Kruger Alexander Y.
Published: July 2023

The paper extends the radius of metric regularity theorem by Dontchev, Lewis and Rockafellar (2003) by providing an exact formula for the radius with respect to Lipschitz continuous perturbations in general Asplund spaces, thus, answering affirmatively an open question raised twenty years ago by Ioffe. In the non-Asplund case, we give a natural upper bound for the radius complementing the conventional lower bound in the theorem by Dontchev, Lewis and Rockafellar.
Simulation of Reactive Transport in Fractured Porous Media
Authors: Banshoya Shin Irgens , Berre Inga , Keilegavlen Eirik
Published: July 2023

Numerical simulations of reactive transport in fractured porous media require the solution of coupled physical and chemical processes that depend on the fractures. Such coupled processes are described by a system of nonlinear partial differential-algebraic equations, while strong heterogeneities characterise fractures. This paper presents an approach to simulate single-phase flow and non-isothermal reactive transport with mineral dissolution and precipitation in fractured porous media. Our numerical solution strategy is based on two ingredients. First, the model equations consist of coupled partial differential equations for the fluid flow, heat transfer and solute transport and nonlinear algebraic equations representing the chemical reactions. Second, fractures are explicitly represented and treated as lower-dimensional objects. The partial differential equations are discretised using finite-volume methods, and at each time step, we solve a nonlinear system of equations using Newton’s method. With numerical simulations, we illustrate our model’s ability to accurately describe the two-way interaction between coupled multi-physical processes and two- and three-dimensional porous media with intersecting fractures.
Short communications: an ear-attached accelerometer detects effects of regrouping on lying, rumination, and activity times in calves
Authors: Ramezani Gardaloud N. , Guse C. , Lidauer L. , Steininger A. , Kickinger F. , Öhlschuster M. , Auer W. , Iwersen M. , Drillich M. , Klein-Jöbstl D.
Published: July 2023

The objective of this study was to use a sensor-based accelerometer (ACC) to identify changes in lying, rumination, and activity times in weaned calves during the moving and regrouping process. Overall, 270 healthy Holstein calves (from approximately 16 regrouping events) at the age of approximately 4 months were enrolled and equipped with an ear-attached ACC (SMARTBOW, Smartbow GmbH/ Zoetis LLC). Sensor data were recorded for 5 d before (d -5) until 4 d after moving and regrouping (d 4). The day of regrouping was defined as d 0. Acceleration data were continuously processed by specific algorithms (developed by SMARTBOW) for lying, rumination, and activity. Lying, rumination, and activity times were averaged from d -5 to d -3 to generate a baseline value for each parameter. Parameters on d 0 to d 4 after regrouping were compared to this baseline. All parameters showed significant changes compared with the baseline at d 0. Significant decreases in rumination and inactive times were seen up to d 2. Lying time was significantly lower until d 3. The study results indicate that the ACC can be used to monitor the disruptive effects of regrouping on lying and rumination behaviors. Further research is necessary to elucidate how these changes have an impact on health, performance, and welfare and to evaluate how to reduce these potentially negative effects.
Nitrogen fixation associated with two cohabiting moss species expresses different patterns under Cu and Zn contamination
Authors: Sjøgren Toke Due , Wang Yinliu , Rousk Kathrin
Published: July 2023

Nitrogen (N2) fixation by moss-associated cyanobacteria is an important N source in pristine ecosystems. Previous studies have shown that moss-associated N2 fixation is sensitive to anthropogenic N pollution. However, we still lack understanding of the effects of other factors derived from anthropogenic sources, such as heavy metal pollution on N2 fixation. To test this, we collected two dominant mosses (Pleurozium schreberi and Spaghnum palustre) from a temperate bog in Denmark and assessed their N2 fixation responses to simulated heavy metal pollution by adding 5 levels (plus a control) of copper (Cu, 0–0.05 mg g dw−1) and zinc (Zn, 0–0.1 mg g dw−1). Metal concentrations in both mosses increased linearly with Cu and Zn addition, but N2 fixation activity associated with S. palustre was to a greater extent negatively affected by both Cu and Zn additions than that associated with P. schreberi. Copper additions even promoted N2 fixation in P. schreberi. Hence, the heavy metal sensitivity of N2-fixing cyanobacteria is dependent on the host moss-species, and the vulnerability of ecosystems towards heavy metal pollution could vary depending on the dominant moss species.
Clinical Significance of Altered Vascular Morphology and Function in Normotension
Authors: Triantafyllou A. , Anyfanti P. , Koletsos N. , Malliora A. , Lamprou S. , Dipla K. , Gkaliagkousi E.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of Review

To review current literature examining the presence of subclinical micro- and macrovascular alterations in normotensive individuals and their clinical significance in terms of hypertension prediction. Emphasis is placed on alterations that can be detected in peripheral vascular beds using non-invasive, easily applicable methodology, as these are in general easier to capture and evaluate in clinical practice compared to more complex invasive or functional tests.

Recent Findings

Arterial stiffness, increased carotid intima-media thickness, and altered retinal microvascular diameters predict the progression from the normotensive to the hypertensive state. By contrast, there is substantial lack of relevant prospective studies for skin microvascular alterations. Although conclusions regarding causality cannot be safely deduced from available studies, detection of morphological and functional vascular alterations in normotensive individuals emerges as a sensitive indicator of progression to hypertension and hence increased CVD risk.

An increasing amount of evidence suggests that early detection of subclinical micro- and macrovascular alterations would be clinically useful for the early identification of individuals at high risk for future hypertension onset. Methodological issues and gaps in knowledge need to be addressed before detection of such changes could guide the development of strategies to prevent new-onset hypertension in normotensive individuals.
18F-FDG-PET/CT to Detect Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Treatment in Patients with Cancer of the Esophagus or Gastroesophageal Junction: Accuracy and Long-Term Implications
Authors: van der Aa D. C. , Gisbertz S. S. , Anderegg M. C. J. , Lagarde S. M. , Klaassen R. , Meijer S. L. , van Dieren S. , Hulshof MCCM , Bergman JJGHM , Bennink R. J. , van Laarhoven H. W. M. , van Berge Henegouwen M. I.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The curative strategy for patients with esophageal cancer without distant metastases consists of esophagectomy with preceding chemo(radio)therapy (CRT). In 10–40% of patients treated with CRT, no viable tumor is detectable in the resection specimen (pathological complete response (pCR)). This study aims to define the clinical outcomes of patients with a pCR and to assess the accuracy of post-CRT FDG-PET/CT in the detection of a pCR.

Methods

Four hundred sixty-three patients with cancer of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction who underwent esophageal resection after CRT between 1994 and 2013 were included. Patients were categorized as pathological complete responders or noncomplete responders. Standardized uptake value (SUV) ratios of 135 post-CRT FDG-PET/CTs were calculated and compared with the pathological findings in the corresponding resection specimens.

Results

Of the 463 included patients, 85 (18.4%) patients had a pCR. During follow-up, 25 (29.4%) of these 85 patients developed recurrent disease. Both 5-year disease-free survival (5y-DFS) and 5-year overall survival (5y-OS) were significantly higher in complete responders compared to noncomplete responders (5y-DFS 69.6% vs. 44.2%; P = 0.001 and 5y-OS 66.5% vs. 43.7%; P = 0.001). Not pCR, but only pN0 was identified as an independent predictor of (disease-free) survival.

Conclusion

Patients with a pCR have a higher probability of survival compared to noncomplete responders. One third of patients with a pCR do develop recurrent disease, and pCR can therefore not be equated with cure. FDG-PET/CT was inaccurate to predict pCR and therefore cannot be used as a sole diagnostic tool to predict pCR after CRT for esophageal cancer.
Statistical Learning of Large-Scale Genetic Data: How to Run a Genome-Wide Association Study of Gene-Expression Data Using the 1000 Genomes Project Data
Authors: Sugolov Anton , Emmenegger Eric , Paterson Andrew D. , Sun Lei
Published: July 2023

Teaching statistics through engaging applications to contemporary large-scale datasets is essential to attracting students to the field. To this end, we developed a hands-on, week-long workshop for senior high-school or junior undergraduate students, without prior knowledge in statistical genetics but with some basic knowledge in data science, to conduct their own genome-wide association study (GWAS). The GWAS was performed for open source gene expression data, using publicly available human genetics data. Assisted by a detailed instruction manual, students were able to obtain $$\sim$$
∼
1.4 million p-values from a real scientific study, within several days. This early motivation kept students engaged in learning the theories that support their results, including regression, data visualization, results interpretation, and large-scale multiple hypothesis testing. To further their learning motivation by emphasizing the personal connection to this type of data analysis, students were encouraged to make short presentations about how GWAS has provided insights into the genetic basis of diseases that are present in their friends or families. The appended open source, step-by-step instruction manual includes descriptions of the datasets used, the software needed, and results from the workshop. Additionally, scripts used in the workshop are archived on Github and Zenodo to further enhance reproducible research and training.
A 3-gene signature comprising CDH4, STAT4 and EBV-encoded LMP1 for early diagnosis and predicting disease progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Shu-Chen , Wang Chun-I , Liu Tzu-Tung , Tsang Ngan-Ming , Sui Yun-Hua , Juang Jyh-Lyh
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly metastatic but difficult to detect in its early stages. It is critical to develop a simple and highly efficient molecular diagnostic method for early detection of NPC in clinical biopsies.

Methods

The transcriptomic data of primary NPC cell strains were used as a discovery tool. Linear regression approach was used to define signatures distinctive between early and late stage of NPC. Expressions of candidates were validated with an independent set of biopsies (n = 39). Leave-one-out cross-validation technique was employed to estimate the prediction accuracy on stage classification. The clinical relevance of marker genes was verified using NPC bulk RNA sequencing data and IHC analysis.

Results

Three genes comprising CDH4, STAT4, and CYLD were found to have a significant differentiating power to separate NPC from normal nasopharyngeal samples and predicting disease malignancy. IHC analyses showed stronger CDH4, STAT4, and CYLD immunoreactivity in adjacent basal epithelium compared with that in tumor cells (p < 0.001). EBV-encoded LMP1 was exclusively expressed in NPC tumors. Using an independent set of biopsies, we showed that a model combining CDH4, STAT4, and LMP1 had a 92.86% of diagnostic accuracy, whereas a combination of STAT4 and LMP1 had a 70.59% accuracy for predicting advanced disease. Mechanistic studies suggested that promoter methylation, loss of DNA allele, and LMP1 contributed to the suppressive expression of CDH4, CYLD, and STAT4, respectively.

Conclusion

A model combining CDH4 and STAT4 and LMP1 was proposed to be a feasible model for diagnosing NPC and predicting late stage of NPC.
Lower bounds for the smallest singular values of generalized asymptotic diagonal dominant matrices
Authors: Oishi Shin’ichi
Published: July 2023

This article presents three classes of real square matrices. They are models of coefficient matrices of linearized Galerkin’s equations. These Galerkin’s equations are derived from first order nonlinear delay differential equation with smooth nonlinearity. This paper shows results of computer experiments stating that the minimum singular values of these matrices are unchanged even if orders of matrices are increased. A time variant Hutchinson equation is also considered. A computer experimental result is shown about this equation. This result shows that “the minimum singular values invariant-ness” holds also for the coefficient matrices of linearized Galerkin’s equations of this equation. A remark is presented that this property can be seen experimentally for a wide class of nonlinear delay differential equation with smooth nonlinearity. A theorem is presented based on the Schur complement. Through it, tight lower bounds are derived for the minimum singular values of such three matrices. It is proved that these lower bounds are unchanged even if orders of matrices are increased.
Towards a neurocognitive profile in familial cerebral cavernous malformations
Authors: Silva Cristiana , Durães João , Lima Marisa , Pereira Daniela Jardim , Santana Isabel , Almeida Maria Rosário
Published: July 2023

Background

Familial cerebral cavernous malformations (FCCM) is a rare autosomal dominant disease, characterized by vascular malformations that can lead to macro and microhemorrhages. The neurocognitive impact of FCCM is still underrecognized.

Methods

We report the clinical, neurocognitive, imaging and genetic data of a three generation family with FCCM.

Results

A 63-year-old man (proband) had progressive memory impairment since the last year. Neurologic exam was unremarkable. Brain MRI showed multiple large cavernomas (mainly in the pons, left temporal, and right temporo-parietal) and scattered microhemorrhages. Neuropsychological assessment mainly revealed left frontal and right temporo-parietal dysfunction. A 41-year-old daughter, presented with headache, vertigo and memory complaints in the last 2 years. Neurological examination revealed left central facial paralysis. Brain MRI showed two small right parietal and internal capsule cavernomas, as well as microhemorrhages. Neuropsychological assessment showed moderate temporal neocortical left dysfunction. A 34-year-old daughter had recurrent headache and memory complaints, with unremarkable neurological exam. Brain MRI revealed two large cavernomas (left fronto-orbitary and inferior temporal), with few microhemorrhages. Neuropsychological assessment was normal. A granddaughter had mild headaches and a small right cerebellar cavernoma, without microhemorrhages. Neuropsychological assessment showed mild temporal neocortical left dysfunction. A nonsense variant, c.55C > T; p.R19* generating a premature stop codon in CCM2 gene shared by all affected family members was identified.

Conclusions

Neuropsychological evaluation showed that memory complaints and cognitive impairment could be an important unrecognized finding in FCCM. Its pathophysiological mechanisms are still unknown but the role of recurrent microhemorrhages could provide an interesting hypothesis.
Intraoperative suggestions to prevent postoperative delirium in patients undergoing transaortic valvular replacement: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Kaufmann Christina , Zech Nina , Brandt Florian , Hilker Michael , Debl Kurt , Creutzenberg Marcus , Zeman Florian , Graf Bernhard M. , Sinner Barbara
Published: July 2023

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a serious complication following anaesthesia and surgery and significantly influences postoperative outcome especially in the elderly population. Intraoperative music and positive suggestions influence postoperative outcomes by attenuating analgesic demand and increasing patient satisfaction.

Aims

Here, we examined the effect of intraoperative music and positive suggestions on the development of POD in aged patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure under general anaesthesia.

Methods

For this randomized placebo-controlled study, eligible patients without cognitive deficit, indicated by a MMSE < 10 points, were anesthetized using remifentanil and sevoflurane. Anaesthetic depth was guide with bispectral index. An audiotape with positive suggestions was applied from a MP3 player via headphones. POD, pain and PONV was assessed. CAM-ICU and Nu-DESC were done twice daily for the first 5 days.

Results

Of 140 patients 118 patients could be analysed (57 male, 80.6 ± 5.1 years). POD was diagnosed in 16 patients (12.7%). POD was significantly more often observed in male (12, 21.1%) than in female (4, 6.6%, p = 0.02) and in patients with a low MMSE (23.6 ± 4.5 vs. 26.8 ± 2.8, p = 0.001). Anaesthetic depth did not influence the incidence of POD. Intraoperative music and suggestions did not affect the rate of POD, pain, analgesic requirement or PONV.

Discussion

In patients undergoing TAVR male sex and low MMSE scoring are associated with an increase in POD.

Conclusions

Intraoperative music and positive suggestions do not influence the incidence of POD in this patient group.

Study registration

DRKS: 00024444, start of registration: 4.02.202, final registration: 17.09.2021
Remote sensing image segmentation using feature based fusion on FCM clustering algorithm
Authors: Sharma Rajni , Ravinder M.
Published: July 2023

Image segmentation of heterogeneous comparable objects lying beneath the earth’s surface is a fundamental but challenging research area in remote sensing. Learning approaches are used in remote sensing image segmentation to improve segmentation accuracy at the expense of time and a large amount of data, but their performance need to be finely classified due to information diversity constraints. In this work, we proposed an novel feature based fuzzy C-means-extreme learning machine (FBFCM-ELM) algorithm for remote sensing image segmentation in which the classification based on entropy, intensity, and edge features is performed in such a way that it updates the intensity value to preserve the most local characteristics in the image while still being able to clearly distinguish the image’s boundaries by assigning the pixel values of each cluster to the peak value of the cluster’s sub-histogram. Using FBFCM, features are extracted and used as reliable samples for ELM training. Undetermined segmented pixels are obtained using the trained ELM classifier. Experiments performed over number of images that confirmed the proposed method yields a better segmented RGB image, as evidenced by observable details, edges, and improved appearance that resembles the ground truth image and outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms.
Positive Valence Contributes to Hyperarticulation in Maternal Speech to Infants and Puppies
Authors: PANNETON Robin , CRISTIA Alejandrina , TAYLOR Caroline , MOON Christine
Published: July 2023

Infant-directed speech often has hyperarticulated features, such as point vowels whose formants are further apart than in adult-directed speech. This increased “vowel space” may reflect the caretaker’s effort to speak more clearly to infants, thus benefiting language processing. However, hyperarticulation may also result from more positive valence (e.g., speaking with positive vocal emotion) often found in mothers’ speech to infants. This study was designed to replicate others who have found hyperarticulation in maternal speech to their 6-month-olds, but also to examine their speech to a non-human infant (i.e., a puppy). We rated both kinds of maternal speech for their emotional valence and recorded mothers’ speech to a human adult. We found that mothers produced more positively valenced utterances and some hyperarticulation in both their infant- and puppy-directed speech, compared to their adult-directed speech. This finding promotes looking at maternal speech from a multi-faceted perspective that includes emotional state.
Analysis of Long‐Term Trends in the Vertical Distribution and Transport Paths of Atmospheric Aerosols in Typical Regions of China Using 15 Years of CALIOP Data
Authors: Chen Bin , Dong Li , Huang Jianping , Wang Yixuan , Jing Zhikun , Yan Wei , Wang Xin , Song Zhihao , Huang Zhongwei , Guan Xiaodan , Dong Xuefeng , Huang Yue
Published: July 2023

Long‐range transport and vertical distribution of aerosols are important factors for assessing the uncertainty in aerosol radiative forcing. This paper reveals the vertical distribution and trends of aerosol optical properties in China using 15 years of Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) data. The Hybrid Single‐Particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model was used to analyze the transport and trends of aerosols in the layer with the highest occurrence frequencies of dust, polluted dust, polluted continental and elevated smoke aerosols. The results indicated that (a) there were significant regional and seasonal differences in the vertical distribution of aerosols. The aerosol optical depth (AOD) trend in a given region depends on the changes in the aerosol type with the highest frequency and the layer corresponding to the largest AOD in the vertical profile. The frequency of polluted dust aerosols was the highest in Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei (BTH) and Central China. The considerable decrease in the 0–2 km AOD led to a significant trend of the column AOD. (b) The changes of AOD and main aerosol types in a region are also affected by the changes of aerosol sources and long‐range transport pathways. In the BTH, dust aerosols originated from the Mongolian Plateau, accounting for 57.88% of the total trajectories. The Pearl River Delta was dominated by elevated smoke aerosols, with trajectories mainly originating from the Myanmar and Vietnam, accounting for 27.38% and 29.59%, respectively. The trend of 15‐year backward trajectories of dust aerosols on the Tibetan Plateau indicated that the trajectory from India is increasing.
Effects of Spatial Resolution, Mapping Window Size, and Spectral Species Clustering on Remote Sensing of Plant Beta Diversity Using biodivMapR and Hyperspectral Imagery
Authors: Robertson Kevin M. , Simonson Eli , Ramirez‐Bullon Natali , Poulter Benjamin , Carter Richard
Published: July 2023

Using imaging spectroscopy (hyperspectral imaging), we assessed the effects of spatial resolution, size of mapping windows composed of pixels, and number of clustered spectral species on the capacity to map plant beta diversity using the biodivMapR package, in support of the planned NASA Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) satellite remote sensing mission. Specifically, we tested the ability of biodivMapR to distinguish natural communities among field‐verified locations. biodivMapR clusters pixels as spectral species used to calculate beta diversity among mapping windows composed of multiple pixels. We used NEON airborne 1 m resolution hyperspectral images collected at three sites representing native longleaf pine ecosystems in the southeastern U.S. and aggregated pixels to 1–90 m spatial resolution for comparative analyses. We also varied mapping window size using 30 m resolution images, commonly collected by satellite missions. The capacity to detect plant beta diversity decreased with coarser spatial resolution, which corresponded to fewer pixels per mapping window. Mapping window size in turn limited the spatial resolution of beta diversity maps composed of mapping windows. Assigning too few pixels per window, as well as assigning too many spectral species per image, results in overestimation of dissimilarity among locations representing the same community type and reduces the information content of beta diversity maps. These results demonstrate the advantage of maximizing spatial resolution of hyperspectral imaging instruments on the anticipated NASA SBG satellite mission and similar remote sensing projects, as well as the value of satellite‐borne hyperspectral imagers for mapping beta diversity worldwide.
Electron Scattering, Transport and Energization by Alfvénic Turbulence in Earth's Outer Radiation Belt
Authors: Chaston C. C.
Published: July 2023

The transport of energetic electrons immersed in Alfvénic turbulence in Earth's outer radiation belt is explored. It is shown how electrons subject to the action of an empirically derived 3‐D spectrum of Alfvénic field fluctuations experience rapid transport across L‐shells, pitch‐angle and through momentum space. Timescales for radial transport are less than a drift period while scattering at large pitch‐angle occurs at a similar rate. Transport through momentum space occurs at a rate comparable to that in whistler mode chorus and is particularly rapid below 100 keV. Bounce‐averaged transport coefficients for these processes are consistent with quasi‐linear estimates for drift‐bounce resonances, albeit with enhanced values. A super‐diffusive to sub‐diffusive transition with increasing energy is identified.
Global Variability in Multi‐Century Ground Warming Inferred From Geothermal Data
Authors: Hopcroft Peter O. , Gallagher Kerry
Published: July 2023

Geothermal temperature‐depth measurements can be used to reconstruct past climate without the need for calibration against meteorological data. The global geothermal database is one of opportunity and is therefore subject to variations in measurement protocol, quality control and potential non‐climatic influences. As the climatic history recovery is sensitive to these factors, we developed a Bayesian hierarchical model that allows us to treat errors and uncertainty formally. This way we may better isolate the climate signal. For the Northern Hemisphere extra‐tropics our reconstruction shows a warming beginning in CE 1750 and it captures the observed two‐phase warming over the past century. We clearly identify the northern tropics as a region of greatest ground warming and hypothesize that this reflects land‐use change. For the Southern Hemisphere, the inclusion of newer data leads to a modest cooling until CE 1750. Outside the tropics, agreement with multi‐proxy reconstructions has improved relative to earlier studies.
Lithospheric Velocity Structure Beneath the Northern Margin of the South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Meng , Sun Daoyuan , Shi Kexu , Zhou Cong
Published: July 2023

Imaging the lithospheric structure beneath the South China Sea (SCS) not only provides crucial constraints on the tectonic history of southeastern Asia, but also provides an important sample for understanding the evolution of the oceanic lithosphere. However, due to the lack of seismic sampling, the lithospheric structures beneath the SCS are not well resolved. Here, with China National Seismic Network, we observe the “Lid signal” generated by earthquakes below the lithosphere, which propagates through the fast mantle Lid and acts as the first arrival. The Lid signal provides robust constraints on the structure of the lithosphere. Through modeling the Lid signals of events occurred at different depths, we find that the thickness of the lithosphere beneath the northern margin of the SCS is ∼65 km. Across the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary, the SH velocity decreases by 6% ∼ 8% within 60 km. Such a large velocity contrast may be due to the presence of melt in the asthenosphere. We also detect another velocity jump at a depth of ∼250 km in both SH and P wave data, which correlates with the depth of the X‐discontinuity. A comparison between the lithospheric structure beneath the SCS basin and other oceanic plates further suggests a hot asthenosphere beneath the SCS, which could be related to the existence of the Hainan Plume nearby.
Dynamics of Oceanic Slab Tearing During Transform‐Fault Horizontally‐Oblique Subduction: Insights From 3D Numerical Modeling
Authors: Xin Jie , Zhang Huai , Orellana‐Rovirosa Felipe , Li Zhong‐Hai , Liu Liang , Xu Yi‐Gang , Zhang Zhen , Shi Yaolin
Published: July 2023

Oceanic‐plates vertical tearing is seismically identified in the present‐day Earth. This type of plate tearing is frequently reported in horizontally‐oblique subduction zones where transform‐faulted oceanic plates are subducting (or subducted). However, the mechanisms behind vertical slab tearing are still poorly understood, thus we utilize 3D time‐dependent Stokes' flow thermo‐mechanical numerical models to further study this problem. We find that (a) the age offset of transform fault and (b) the horizontal obliqueness of subduction fundamentally control the tearing behavior of two generic, materially homogeneous oceanic slabs separated by a low‐viscosity zone. The two slabs sequentially bend, which combined with the age‐thickness difference between slabs, causes the differential sinking of them. Based on the modeling results, well‐developed slabs vertical tearing would happen when the oblique angle of subduction is ≥30° or the age ratio of the secondly bent to firstly bent slab being ∼<0.6. Quantifying the horizontal distance‐vector between sinking slabs, we find that subduction at medium‐low horizontal‐obliqueness angles (≤40°) of young lithosphere (slabs‐average ∼15 Myr) tends to produce fault‐perpendicular tearing. Contrastingly, old‐age slabs (average ≥ 30 Myr) with medium‐large obliqueness angles (∼>20°) tend to produce fault‐parallel tearing, related to differential slab‐hinge retreat or rollback. Correlations between slabs' (a) computed tearing horizontal‐width and (b) scaling‐theory forms of their subduction‐velocity differences, are reasonable (0.76–0.97). Our numerically predicted scenarios are reasonably consistent with plate‐tear imaging results from at least four natural subduction zones. Our modeling also suggests that continual along‐trench variation in subduction dip angle may be related to a special case of oblique subduction.
Vitamin D deficiency contributes to the diabetic kidney disease progression via increase ZEB1/ZEB2 expressions
Authors: Souza Cláudia Silva , Deluque Amanda Lima , Oliveira Beatriz Magalhães , Maciel Ana Lívia Dias , Giovanini Cleonice , Boer Patrícia Aline , de Paula Francisco José Albuquerque , Costa Roberto Silva , Franscecato Heloísa Della Colleta , de Almeida Lucas Ferreira , Coimbra Terezila Machado
Published: July 2023

Background

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and mortality in diabetic patients worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency (VitDD) is one of the main consequences of different chronic kidney disease (CKD) types and is associated with rapid progression to ESRD. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that lead to this process are poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize a model of diabetic nephropathy progression in VitDD and the epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) role in these processes.

Methods

Wistar Hannover rats received a diet with or without VitD before type 1 diabetes (T1D) induction. After this procedure, the rats were accompanied for 12 and 24 weeks after T1D induction and the renal function, structure, cell transdifferentiating markers and zinc finger e-box binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/ZEB2) contribution to kidney damage were evaluated during the DKD progression.

Results

The results showed an increase in glomerular tuft, mesangial and interstitial relative areas and renal function impairment in VitD-deficient diabetic rats compared to diabetic rats that received a VitD-containing diet. These alterations can be associated with increased expression of EMT markers, ZEB1 gene expression, ZEB2 protein expression and TGF-β1 urinary excretion. Decreased miR-200b expression, an important post-transcriptional regulator of ZEB1 and ZEB2 was also observed.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrated that VitD deficiency contributes to the rapid development and progression of DKD in diabetic rats induced by increase ZEB1/ZEB2 expressions and miR-200b downregulation.