bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robotic-assisted surgery for endometrial cancer: a comparison of surgical and oncologic outcomes in patients with low and high BMI at an Indian tertiary care center
Authors: Joshi Rama , Bora Rashmi Rekha , Sonwani Tarini
Published: January 2024

The robotic-assisted surgery for endometrial cancer (EC) is becoming increasingly important, owing to the superior surgical outcomes. However, efficacy data from India is limited, particularly for older women who are obese. We undertook this study to compare the surgical outcomes of robotic-assisted surgery among Indian EC patients with a BMI of < 30 and ≥ 30 kg/m2. A retrospective chart review was conducted for the period of May 2016 to October 2020. Data on patient demographics, medical history, clinical characteristics, and perioperative outcomes were collected by a single senior surgeon, followed by statistical analysis. A total of 99 patients; 39 in the BMI group < 30 and 60 in the BMI group ≥ 30 kg/m2 were included in the study. The mean age of the BMI groups < 30 and ≥ 30 kg/m2 was 60.92 ± 10.43 and 58.90 ± 8.52 years respectively (P = 0.2944). The mean total operating time was slightly higher in the BMI group < 30 kg/m2 (P = 0.8552) but the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, the mean blood loss (P = 0.2041), length of hospital stays (P = 0.6564), early (P = 0.7758) and delayed complications (P = 0.1878) were less in the BMI group < 30 kg/m2 but the difference was not statistically significant either. At a median follow-up of 22.3 months, the number of recurrences (5.13% vs 3.33%) and deaths (2.56% vs 1.67%) were more in BMI < 30 kg/m2 group. Our study suggests that obese older women predisposed to multiple medical co-morbidities and surgical complications would especially benefit from robotic-assisted technology regardless of their BMI.
Multi-response optimization of process parameters for sustainable machining of AISI 1018 steel with palm kernel oil-assisted minimum quantity lubrication technique
Authors: Kazeem R. A. , Aregbesola D. S. , Jen T.-C. , Akande I. G. , Akinlabi S. A. , Akinlabi E. T.
Published: January 2024

In this study, palm kernel oil, an eco-friendly oil, was extracted from its seeds and then examined for thermal and physiochemical characterization. Subsequently, the performance of palm kernel oil was evaluated in comparison with standard mineral oil during the milling of AISI 1018 steel with a double milling tool using the MQL technique. The influence of cutting conditions such as feed rate, spindle speed, and DOC on response variables (cutting temperature and surface roughness) was studied using a Taguchi L9 orthogonal array. Using the TOPSIS approach (a compensatory method that provides a more realistic form of modeling than non-compensatory methods, and allows trade-offs between criteria, where a poor result in one criterion can be voided by a good result in another criterion) an integrated structure for modeling and optimizing the process was developed. The findings showed that palm kernel oil had a 54% oil yield. In terms of machining, palm kernel oil performed much better than mineral oil lubricants. From the results obtained, palm kernel oil reduced the surface roughness by about 15.6% over mineral oil. Effective cooling in palm kernel oil led to reduced cutting zone temperatures, which in turn extended tool life and improved cutting stability. Additionally, ANOVA was used to show the parameters' significant influence on the output responses. The findings showed that feed rate and depth of cut had the greatest impact on the responses for palm kernel oil and mineral oil, respectively.
The role of adult attachment and minority stress in isolating behaviors perpetration among lesbian and gay people in Italy
Authors: Trombetta Tommaso , Paradiso Maria Noemi , Venturini Lavinia , Rizzo Marco , Santoniccolo Fabrizio , Rollè Luca
Published: January 2024

Attention to Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence (SSIPV) has increased in the last decades. Isolating behaviors, however, have been poorly studied, despite the increased vulnerability to isolation experienced by gay and lesbian couples. The aim of the present study was to examine the independent effects of minority stressors (experiences of discrimination, perceived stigma, and internalized homonegativity), emotion dysregulation, and adult attachment dimensions (attachment avoidance and anxiety) on isolating behaviors perpetration. One hundred and forty-eight gay or lesbian individuals (Mage = 32.48; SD = 10.91) involved in a same-sex relationship participated in the study and completed a self-report online questionnaire. A multiple regression model was used to examine the relationship between the variables in the study. Only attachment anxiety was associated with isolating behaviors. In contrast, attachment avoidance, experiences of discrimination, perceived stigma, internalized homonegativity, and emotion dysregulation did not influence perpetration of isolating behaviors. The present study highlights the influence of attachment anxiety on isolating behaviors, suggesting the role of dysfunctional mechanisms of interpersonal distance regulation. The obtained results provide information at the theoretical and clinical level.
Development of Biodegradable Poly(butylene succinate) Based Nanofibrous Webs via Solution-Blow Spinning Technology for N95 Respiratory Filters
Authors: Pakolpakçil Ayben
Published: January 2024

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, millions of people are wearing face masks (including disposable surgical face masks), and many used masks, particularly disposable masks, are entering the environment and increasing pollution. The applicability of nanofibers in the field of filtration is considerable, and it has replaced environmentally friendly materials in research in this area. Solution-blown spinning (SBS) is an efficient and straightforward method for creating micro and nanofibers that allow quick fiber deposition on any substrate. Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is an environmentally safe biopolymer with unique properties, such as processability and flexibility, that has piqued the interest of industry and researchers. Hence, an eco-friendly air filter based on PBS nanofibers was fabricated using SBS. This solution-blown spun PBS filter was demonstrated as an air filter for the first time. The findings demonstrated that a weight of around 19.3 g/m2 PBS webs with a mean diameter of 199 nm was adequate to produce a filtering performance of 95.26% with a pressure drop of 251 Pa at a flow rate of 85 L/min. The fast and economic features of the SBS process, as well as the environmentally friendly nature of the PBS polymer, may be a considerable contribution to the development of green filters.
In Vitro Properties of Electrospun Composite Fibers Containing Boric Acid and Enhanced with Epidermal Growth Factor for Wound Dressing Applications
Authors: Orhan Habip , Yilmaz Bengi
Published: January 2024

The requirements of the wound microenvironment, involving pH regulation, mechanical compatibility with skin, and prevention of bacterial attachment, highlight crucial considerations for advanced wound dressings. This study focused on electrospinning of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) enriched with 3–5% boric acid particles. The fibers were also supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF) prior to in vitro cell culture experiments. The results revealed that the fibers, with micro-to-nano thickness, displayed unique morphologies as boric acid particles interacted with the PLCL. Boric acid-containing fibers showed lower swelling rates compared to pure PLCL fibers that achieved a swelling rate of 151 ± 10.3%. Nevertheless, they maintained slightly acidic conditions and adequate oxygen conductivity in vitro. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of fibers produced using a 5% boric acid-added PLCL was measured at 557 ± 20.9 g/m2day at 24 h, demonstrating competitive performance with commercial products. The incorporation of 5% boric acid in PLCL fibers significantly improved their maximum tensile stress, reaching 11.31 ± 0.82 MPa, as opposed to pure PLCL, which attained 6.92 ± 2.08 MPa. The Young's modulus values were determined as 190.53 ± 64.80 MPa for pure PLCL and 224.74 ± 91.66 MPa for PLCL containing 5% boric acid. In vitro fibroblast cell (3T3) proliferation on all fiber types did not show a significant difference compared to control. Fluorescent microscopy displayed a good adhesion and spread of cells on boric acid containing fibers. The addition of boric acid drastically reduced the attachment of Escherichia coli. The findings demonstrated the promising potential of electrospun PLCL fibers with incorporated boric acid as wound dressings.
Pulmonary puzzles: salivary gland-type tumors of the lung and their metastatic equivalents
Authors: Olteanu Gheorghe-Emilian , Brcic Luka
Published: January 2024

In the last decade, the understanding of lung neoplasms, particularly rare salivary gland-type tumors (SGT), has deepened significantly. This review intends to spotlight the latest findings, particularly emphasizing the differentiation between primary and metastatic SGTs in the lung.
Investigating the Effects of Chinese University Students’ Online Engagement on Their EFL Learning Outcomes
Authors: Sun Peijian Paul , Zhang Lawrence Jun
Published: January 2024

Engagement plays an important role in students’ success in learning. While learner engagement has been widely examined, the degree to which learners engage in online learning and the relationship between online engagement and learning outcomes, particularly in the domain of second/foreign (L2) language learning, still remain under-explored. To bridge the gap, this study examined college L2 English learners’ profiles of online engagement and their learning outcomes. A total of 85 first-year college students participated in this study. The results showed that college students’ online L2 English learning engagement is multidimensional, including behaviroral, cognitive, affective, and social facets. Additionally, students’ actual behavioral (e.g., task engagement time and task completion rate) and self-perceived online engagement (e.g., behavioral, cognitive, and affective online engagement) are significantly correlated. Nonetheless, among the two levels of online engagement measures, only task score in the actual behavioural engagement is a positive predictor of students’ learning outcomes. The study concludes with practical implications for online teaching.
Interfacial Electronic Modulation of Dual-Monodispersed Pt–Ni3S2 as Efficacious Bi-Functional Electrocatalysts for Concurrent H2 Evolution and Methanol Selective Oxidation
Authors: Zhao Qianqian , Zhao Bin , Long Xin , Feng Renfei , Shakouri Mohsen , Paterson Alisa , Xiao Qunfeng , Zhang Yu , Fu Xian-Zhu , Luo Jing-Li
Published: January 2024

Constructing the efficacious and applicable bi-functional electrocatalysts and establishing out the mechanisms of organic electro-oxidation by replacing anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are critical to the development of electrochemically-driven technologies for efficient hydrogen production and avoid CO2 emission. Herein, the hetero-nanocrystals between monodispersed Pt (~ 2 nm) and Ni3S2 (~ 9.6 nm) are constructed as active electrocatalysts through interfacial electronic modulation, which exhibit superior bi-functional activities for methanol selective oxidation and H2 generation. The experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the asymmetrical charge distribution at Pt–Ni3S2 could be modulated by the electronic interaction at the interface of dual-monodispersed heterojunctions, which thus promote the adsorption/desorption of the chemical intermediates at the interface. As a result, the selective conversion from CH3OH to formate is accomplished at very low potentials (1.45 V) to attain 100 mA cm−2 with high electronic utilization rate (~ 98%) and without CO2 emission. Meanwhile, the Pt–Ni3S2 can simultaneously exhibit a broad potential window with outstanding stability and large current densities for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode. Further, the excellent bi-functional performance is also indicated in the coupled methanol oxidation reaction (MOR)//HER reactor by only requiring a cell voltage of 1.60 V to achieve a current density of 50 mA cm−2 with good reusability.
Phosphorus forms and adsorption properties of paddy field soils and potential risk to Indawgyi Lake, Myanmar
Authors: Hashar Mohammad Rafiul , Nasrin Shamima
Published: January 2024

The largest freshwater and oligotrophic lake in northern Myanmar, called Indawgyi Lake, is at potential risk of eutrophication due to the phosphorus (P) export from nearby paddy fields. In this study, the P status of the soil of paddy fields and its potential mobility to the lake water to cause eutrophication have been evaluated. The Indawgyi Lake is the third largest lake in Asia and became a UNESCO biosphere reserve in June 2017 for its outstanding contribution to providing habitat for threatened birds and aquatic species. Although many other sources, e.g. high tourist interest, loss of natural forest areas, the gathering of pilgrims and lack of proper wastewater treatment plants are contributing to the P nutrients input to the lake, the increase of paddy fields around the lake area and use of synthetic fertiliser which exports to the lake is considered to the primary source of P export to the lake. In this study, the soil P was examined with different P extracted methods and P export to the lake was calculated. The extracted P differed in order and magnitude with different methods, and the order was increased in accordance with CaCl2 < DL-P < Olsen-P < BD-P < HCL-P < TP and for iron, it was HCl-Fe < TFe. All extracted Olsen-P was below 10 mg kg−1, which is below the critical level (30–172 mg kg−1) for P loss. On the other hand, the soil has a high P sorption capacity, and the maximum sorption capacity among the soil samples that were done with the Langmuir equation is 0.790 mg g−1. Our findings suggested that paddy fields are not contributing to the eutrophication of the lake at present. However, comparing the historical map around the lake area from 1944 to 2017, it has been found that the area of paddy fields around the lake has increased almost three-fold from 1944 to 2017. As a result of increasing paddy fields and synthetic fertiliser use, we can say that P export from paddy fields can cause severe eutrophication to the lake in the near future.
Risks in Renaissance Art
Authors: Nelson Jonathan K. , Zeckhauser Richard J.
Published: January 2024

This Element represents the first systematic study of the risks borne by those who produced, commissioned, and purchased art, across Renaissance Europe. It employs a new methodology, built around concepts from risk analysis and decision theory. The Element classifies scores of documented examples of losses into 'production risks', which arise from the conception of a work of art until its final placement, and 'reception risks', when a patron, a buyer, or viewer finds a work displeasing, inappropriate, or offensive. Significant risks must be tamed before players undertake transactions. The Element discusses risk-taming mechanisms operating society-wide: extensive communication flows, social capital, and trust, and the measures individual participants took to reduce the likelihood and consequences of losses. Those mechanisms were employed in both the patronage-based system and the modern open markets, which predominated respectively in Southern and Northern Europe.
Myanmar
Authors: Cheesman Nick
Published: January 2024

Myanmar: A Political Lexicon is a critical inquiry into how words animate politics. Across sixteen entries the lexicon stages dialogues about political speech and action in this country at the nexus of South, East and Southeast Asia. This Element offers readers venues in which to consider the history and contingency of ideas like power, race, patriarchy and revolution. Contention over these and other ideas, it shows, does not reflect the political world in which Myanmar's people live—it realizes it.
Influenza outbreak management tabletop exercise for congregate living settings
Authors: Chan Christina K. , Leis Jerome A. , Candon Heather , Thomas Neethu R. , O’Brien Jaclyn , Callahan James , Pascual Brigitte , Ofner Marianna , Fazalullasha Fatima , Chan Adrienne K. , Powis Jeff E. , Tan Charlie
Published: January 2024

We conducted a tabletop exercise on influenza outbreak preparedness that engaged a large group of congregate living settings (CLS), with improvements in self-reported knowledge and readiness. This proactive approach to responding to communicable disease threats has potential to build infection prevention and control capacity beyond COVID-19 in the CLS sector.
Amendments to the Case-Zablocki Act Concerning Reporting and Publication of International Agreements and Related Regulations (U.S.)
Authors: Bradley Curtis
Published: January 2024

Congress recently enacted significant reforms to the laws governing the reporting and publication of international agreements in the United States. These reforms were adopted in December 2022 and took effect in September 2023, and the State Department issued regulations implementing them in early October 2023.
Bragg scattering of nonlinear surface waves by sinusoidal sandbars
Authors: Fang Haiqi , Tang Lian , Lin Pengzhi
Published: January 2024

Based on the multiple-scale expansion technique, a new set of extended nonlinear Schrödinger (ENLS) equations up to the third order is derived to account for the additional high-order bottom and dispersion effects as well as the nonlinear wave interaction on wave transformation over periodic sandbars of sinusoidal geometry. By employing the small-amplitude wave assumption, a closed-form analytical solution for Bragg scattering is obtained from the linearised ENLS equations, which demonstrates that a downshift of wave frequency of the maximum reflection is mainly due to the inclusion of the high-order bottom effect. The factors that affect the downshift of the resonant frequency are identified and a theoretical expression in parabolic form is derived to quantify the downshift magnitude. The fully ENLS equations are further analysed to reveal the additional wave nonlinear effects on Bragg scattering characteristics. Under the condition of infinitesimal sandbar amplitude, the ENLS equations render a theoretical expression of the critical value of

$kh$

when the nonlinear wave self-modulation effect and the nonlinear wave cross-modulation effect are equal, whereas the former effect is responsible for wavenumber upshifting and the latter downshifting. When

$kh$

is larger than the critical value, the increase of wave nonlinearity will enhance the downshift magnitude of the Bragg resonance, and vice versa. For finite amplitude of the bottom sandbar, the ENLS equations are solved numerically to examine the influence of both wave nonlinearity and sandbar amplitude on the characteristics of Bragg resonance. The results reveal that as the increase of sandbar amplitude, the critical

$kh$

increases monotonically.
Reynolds number effects on a velocity–vorticity correlation-based skin-friction drag decomposition in incompressible turbulent channel flows
Authors: Zhao Yunchao , Fan Yitong , Li Weipeng
Published: January 2024

A form of skin-friction drag decomposition is given based on the velocity–vorticity correlations,

$\langle v\omega _z\rangle$

and

$\langle -w\omega _y\rangle$

, which represent the advective vorticity transport and vortex stretching, respectively. This identity provides a perspective to understand the mechanism of skin-friction drag generation from vortical motions and it has better physical interpretability compared with some previous studies. The skin-friction coefficients in incompressible turbulent channel flows at friction Reynolds numbers from 186 to 2003 are divided with this velocity–vorticity correlation-based identity. We mainly focus on the Reynolds number effects on the contributing terms, their scale-dependence and quadrant characteristics. Results show that the contributing terms and their proportions exhibit similarities and the same peak locations across the wall layer. For the first time, we find that the positive and negative regions in the spanwise pre-multiplied spectra of the turbulent inertia (

$\langle v'\omega _z'\rangle +\langle -w'\omega _y'\rangle$

) can be separated with a universal linear relationship of

$\lambda _z^+=3.75y^+$

. The linear relationship is adopted as the criterion to investigate the scale dependence of the velocity–vorticity coupling structures. It reveals that the negative and positive structures dominate the generation of friction drag associated with the advective vorticity transport and vortex stretching, respectively. Moreover, quadrant analyses of the velocity–vorticity correlations are performed to further examine the friction drag generation related to different quadrant motions.
Binary collision dynamics of equal-sized nanodroplets
Authors: Wang Yi-Feng , Wang Yi-Bo , Cai Zhi-Hui , Ma Qiang , Yang Yan-Ru , Zheng Shao-Fei , Lee Duu-Jong , Wang Xiao-Dong
Published: January 2024

Binary nanodroplet collisions have received increasing attention, whilst the identification of collision outcomes and the viscous dissipation mechanism have remained poorly understood. Using molecular dynamics simulations, this study investigates binary nanodroplet collisions over wide ranges of Weber number (We), Ohnesorge number (Oh) and off-centre distances. Coalescence, stretching separation and shattering are identified; however, bouncing, reflexive separation and rotational separation reported for millimetre-sized collisions are not observed, which is attributed to the enhanced viscous effect caused by the ‘natural’ high-viscosity characteristics of nanodroplets. Intriguingly, as an intermediate outcome, holes form in retracting films at relatively high We, arising from the vibration and thermal fluctuation of the films. Due to the combined effects of inertial, capillary and viscous forces, binary nanodroplet collisions fall into the cross-over regime, so estimating viscous dissipation becomes extremely important for distinguishing outcome boundaries. Based on the criterion that stretching separation is triggered only when the residual off-centre kinetic energy exceeds the surface energy required for separation, the boundary equation between coalescence and stretching separation is established. Here, viscous dissipation is calculated by the extracted flow feature from simulations, showing that the ratio of viscous dissipation to the initial kinetic energy depends only on Oh, not on We. Because of complex viscous dissipation mechanisms, the same boundary equation in the cross-over regime has also not been satisfactorily revealed for macroscale collisions. Therefore, the proposed equation is tested for wide data sources from both macroscale and nanoscale collisions, and satisfying agreement is achieved, demonstrating the universality of the equation.
Coordinated suction and blowing of a cylinder array for thrust generation
Authors: Kim Dohyun , Lee Minhyeong , Mahravan Ehsan , Kim Daegyoum
Published: January 2024

Various systems of mechanical devices and natural organisms use the repeated expansion and contraction of deformable structures to draw in and blow out fluid. Instead of such deformable continuous structures, a system that consists of multiple discrete bodies can also generate a directional flow through the cooperative movement of the individual bodies. In this study, we numerically investigate the collective effects of a multi-body system composed of eight circular cylinders, each of which oscillates separately in the radial direction to generate thrust. The cylinder array performs cooperative motion regulated by three motion parameters: phase difference, oscillation amplitude and frequency at a low Reynolds number (

$Re = 10$

). The phase difference between the cylinders is critical in determining the extent of the directional flow and the time-averaged thrust. The optimal phase difference that yields the maximum time-averaged thrust is consistent, regardless of the oscillation amplitude and frequency. However, the thrust generation performance becomes significantly weaker at a higher Reynolds number (

$Re = 100$

). This highlights that the hydrodynamic blockage in gaps between cylinders, which is induced by strong viscous diffusion at the low Reynolds number, is essential for the cooperative force generation of multiple closely spaced bodies. A new dimensionless geometric parameter based on the motion of the array is proposed to characterize the degree of bias in the generated flow and it successfully predicts the trend in the time-averaged thrust at the low Reynolds number with strong hydrodynamic blockage.
Empires, Languages, and Scripts in the Perso-Indian World
Authors: Guha Sumit
Published: January 2024

Sociolinguists study the valorization of specific languages as a ‘language ideology’. Contemporary nation-states frequently identify with and promote specific languages. Such linguistic nationalism is a language ideology, but not the only one. This article examines earlier millennia to uncover the dynamics by which imperial systems managed linguistic diversity and how and why they favored and disfavored particular languages and scripts. I analyze states and empires as coalitions of interest groups. I invoke the scribal masters of imperial chanceries and archives as one such group. I develop a heuristic framework (or “model”) to understand the interactions of language and power that unfolded across West and South Asia. I begin with a great empire, the Persian, that did not employ its founders’ ethnic speech but instead refined an older state language in governance. That choice entrenched an interest group that endured through a thousand years till displaced by Arab conquest after 660 CE. But a simpler ‘New Persian’ revived in the eastern Iranian lands. Turkish and Mongol conquest elites emerging from Inner Asia carried this language and its scribes into their growing domains in the Indian subcontinent. I then explain why the non-Persian Mughals in the 1550s selected Persian as their state language and rejected the constant pressure to use Urdu creole. Mughal rule left behind a tenacious Persian-writing elite that the early British empire employed. Finally, I explain the state processes behind the colonial-era decline of Persianate administration and the emergence of a new linguistic politics in colonial India.
Economic Determinants of Attitudes Toward Migration: Firm-level Evidence from Europe
Authors: Baccini Leonardo , Lodefalk Magnus , Sabolová Radka
Published: January 2024

What are the distributional consequences of migration, and how do they affect attitudes toward migration? In this paper we leverage a natural experiment generated by the ousting of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, which created an unprecedented influx of economic migrants from African countries to Europe. This surge of low-skilled labor benefited low-productivity firms by lowering their production costs and expanding their labor supply. Employing a triple difference-in-differences design, we document that attitudes toward migration became more positive in Western European regions with large shares of migrants and low-productivity firms. Evidence from Sweden, which provides finely grained geographical data, confirms these findings. We then test the economic microfoundations of this attitudinal shift. We show that the surge in the supply of low-skilled labor increased the profitability of low-productivity firms more in areas that experienced larger migration flows. We find no evidence that migration worsened natives’ labor market conditions.
Political trust and climate policy choice: evidence from a conjoint experiment
Authors: Devine Daniel , Stoker Gerry , Jennings Will
Published: January 2024

Why do citizens support or reject climate change mitigation policies? This is not an easy choice: citizens need to support the government in making these decisions, accept potentially radical behavior change, and have altruism across borders and for future generations. A substantial literature argues that political trust facilitates citizen support for these complex policy decisions by mitigating the cost and uncertainty that policies impose on individuals and buttressing support for government intervention. We test whether this is the case with a pre-registered conjoint experiment fielded in Germany in which we vary fundamental aspects of policy design that are related to the cost, uncertainty, and implementation of climate change policies. Contrary to strong theoretical expectations and previous work, we find no difference between those with low and high trust on their support for different policy attributes, assuaging the concern that low and declining trust inhibits climate policymaking.
Semantic geometric fusion multi-object tracking and lidar odometry in dynamic environment
Authors: Ma Tingchen , Jiang Guolai , Ou Yongsheng , Xu Sheng
Published: January 2024

Simultaneous localization and mapping systems based on rigid scene assumptions cannot achieve reliable positioning and mapping in a complex environment with many moving objects. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a novel dynamic multi-object lidar odometry (MLO) system based on semantic object recognition technology. The proposed system enables the reliable localization of robots and semantic objects and the generation of long-term static maps in complex dynamic scenes. For ego-motion estimation, the proposed system extracts environmental features that take into account both semantic and geometric consistency constraints. Then, the filtered features can be robust to the semantic movable and unknown dynamic objects. In addition, we propose a new least-squares estimator that uses geometric object points and semantic box planes to realize the multi-object tracking (SGF-MOT) task robustly and precisely. In the mapping module, we implement dynamic semantic object detection using the absolute trajectory tracking list. By using static semantic objects and environmental features, the system eliminates accumulated localization errors and produces a purely static map. Experiments on the public KITTI dataset show that the proposed MLO system provides more accurate and robust object tracking performance and better real-time localization accuracy in complex scenes compared to existing technologies.
Dietary intake of low-income adults in South Africa: ultra-processed food consumption a cause for concern
Authors: Frank Tamryn , Ng Shu Wen , Lowery Caitlin M , Thow Anne-Marie , Swart Elizabeth C
Published: January 2024

Objective:

Given the rapidly changing food environment and proliferation of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in South Africa (SA), this study aimed to critically evaluate dietary quality and adequacy of low-income adults using the Nova classification system and WHO and World Cancer Research Fund dietary guidelines.

Design:

Secondary household data and 1-d 24-h recalls were analysed from two cross-sectional studies conducted in 2017–2018. Foods consumed were classified according to the Nova classification system. Compliance with WHO dietary guidelines and UPF consumption trends were evaluated.

Setting:

Three low-income areas (Langa, Khayalitsha and Mount Frere) in SA were included.

Participants:

In total, 2521 participants (18–50 years) were included in the study.

Results:

Participants had a mean energy intake of 7762 kJ/d. Most participants were within the acceptable WHO guideline range for saturated fat (80·4 %), total fat (68·1 %), Na (72·7 %) and free sugar (57·3 %). UPF comprised 39·4 % of diets among the average adult participant. Only 7·0 % of all participants met the WHO guideline for fruit and vegetables and 18·8 % met the guideline for fibre. Those within the highest quartile of share of energy from UPF consumed statistically higher amounts of dietary components to limit and were the highest energy consumers overall.

Conclusions:

Low-income adults living in SA are consuming insufficient protective dietary components, while UPF consumption is prevalent. Higher UPF consumers consume larger amounts of nutrients linked to increased chronic disease risk. Policy measures are urgently needed in SA to protect against the proliferation of harmful UPF and to promote and enable consumption of whole and less UPF.
Perspectives and Potentials of Open Data for the Sports Sciences
Authors: Krüger Melanie , Biniossek Claudia , Stocker Markus , Betz Dirk
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Open Science practices have become well established in recent years. In this position paper, we argue that Open Data in particular holds great potential for empirical research in sports science, and sport and exercise psychology in particular, since it fosters the reintegration of scientific knowledge as primary research data in subsequent research life cycles. On that account, the sports science community has to develop a unified position on research data management, which supports the implementation of Open Science practices and standards. To this end, in this article we first define Open Science and research data management (RDM) and describe them in the context of sports science. We then present examples of existing, relevant RDM solutions, with a particular focus on sport and exercise psychology and neighboring disciplines. Finally, we derive perspectives for the development of a sustainable RDM structure and present current developments within the German sports science community.
Scientists Investigate How Heat Rises Through Europa’s Ocean
Authors: Owen Rebecca
Published: January 2024

A new study examines how heat may be transferred from the mantle, through the ocean, and into the icy crust of one of Jupiter’s moons—perhaps among the most promising places in our solar system to search for life.
E3 ligase TRIM65 alleviates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury through inhibition of TOX4-mediated apoptosis
Authors: Huang Yingjie , Chen Tao , Jiang Ming , Xiong Chenlu , Mei Chao , Nie Jinping , Zhang Qi , Zhu Qing , Huang Xuan , Zhang Xuekang , Li Yong
Published: January 2024

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (II/R) injury is an urgent clinical disease with high incidence and mortality, and impaired intestinal barrier function caused by excessive apoptosis of intestinal cells is an important cause of its serious consequences. Tripartite motif-containing protein 65 (TRIM65) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that is recently reported to suppress the inflammatory response and apoptosis. However, the biological function and regulation of TRIM65 in II/R injury are totally unknown. We found that TRIM65 was significantly decreased in hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) induced intestinal epithelial cells and II/R-induced intestine tissue.TRIM65knockout mice markedly aggravated intestinal apoptosis and II/R injury. To explore the molecular mechanism of TRIM65 in exacerbating II/R-induced intestinal apoptosis and damage, thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box factor 4 (TOX4) was screened out as a novel substrate of TRIM65 using the yeast two-hybrid system. TRIM65 binds directly to the N-terminal of TOX4 through its coiled-coil and SPRY structural domains. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed that they can co-localize both in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, TRIM65 mediated the K48 ubiquitination and degradation of TOX4 depending on its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. In addition, TRIM65 inhibits H/R-induced intestinal epithelial apoptosis via TOX4. In summary, our results indicated that TRIM65 promotes ubiquitination and degradation of TOX4 to inhibit apoptosis in II/R. These findings provide a promising target for the clinical treatment of II/R injury.
Single-molecule localization microscopy reveals STING clustering at the trans-Golgi network through palmitoylation-dependent accumulation of cholesterol
Authors: Kemmoku Haruka , Takahashi Kanoko , Mukai Kojiro , Mori Toshiki , Hirosawa Koichiro M. , Kiku Fumika , Uchida Yasunori , Kuchitsu Yoshihiko , Nishioka Yu , Sawa Masaaki , Kishimoto Takuma , Tanaka Kazuma , Yokota Yasunari , Arai Hiroyuki , Suzuki Kenichi G. N. , Taguchi Tomohiko
Published: January 2024

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is critical for the type I interferon response to pathogen- or self-derived DNA in the cytosol. STING may function as a scaffold to activate TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), but direct cellular evidence remains lacking. Here we show, using single-molecule imaging of STING with enhanced time resolutions down to 5 ms, that STING becomes clustered at the trans-Golgi network (about 20 STING molecules per cluster). The clustering requires STING palmitoylation and the Golgi lipid order defined by cholesterol. Single-molecule imaging of TBK1 reveals that STING clustering enhances the association with TBK1. We thus provide quantitative proof-of-principle for the signaling STING scaffold, reveal the mechanistic role of STING palmitoylation in the STING activation, and resolve the long-standing question of the requirement of STING translocation for triggering the innate immune signaling.
Early antiretroviral therapy favors post-treatment SIV control associated with the expansion of enhanced memory CD8+ T-cells
Authors: Passaes Caroline , Desjardins Delphine , Chapel Anaïs , Monceaux Valérie , Lemaitre Julien , Mélard Adeline , Perdomo-Celis Federico , Planchais Cyril , Gourvès Maël , Dimant Nastasia , David Annie , Dereuddre-Bosquet Nathalie , Barrail-Tran Aurélie , Gouget Hélène , Guillaume Céline , Relouzat Francis , Lambotte Olivier , Guedj Jérémie , Müller-Trutwin Michaela , Mouquet Hugo , Rouzioux Christine , Avettand-Fenoël Véronique , Le Grand Roger , Sáez-Cirión Asier
Published: January 2024

HIV remission can be achieved in some people, called post-treatment HIV controllers, after antiretroviral treatment discontinuation. Treatment initiation close to the time of infection was suggested to favor post-treatment control, but the circumstances and mechanisms leading to this outcome remain unclear. Here we evaluate the impact of early (week 4) vs. late (week 24 post-infection) treatment initiation in SIVmac251-infected male cynomolgus macaques receiving 2 years of therapy before analytical treatment interruption. We show that early treatment strongly promotes post-treatment control, which is not related to a lower frequency of infected cells at treatment interruption. Rather, early treatment favors the development of long-term memory CD8+ T cells with enhanced proliferative and SIV suppressive capacity that are able to mediate a robust secondary-like response upon viral rebound. Our model allows us to formally demonstrate a link between treatment initiation during primary infection and the promotion of post-treatment control and provides results that may guide the development of new immunotherapies for HIV remission.
Commensurate and incommensurate 1D interacting quantum systems
Authors: Di Carli Andrea , Parsonage Christopher , La Rooij Arthur , Koehn Lennart , Ulm Clemens , Duncan Callum W. , Daley Andrew J. , Haller Elmar , Kuhr Stefan
Published: January 2024

Single-atom imaging resolution of many-body quantum systems in optical lattices is routinely achieved with quantum-gas microscopes. Key to their great versatility as quantum simulators is the ability to use engineered light potentials at the microscopic level. Here, we employ dynamically varying microscopic light potentials in a quantum-gas microscope to study commensurate and incommensurate 1D systems of interacting bosonic Rb atoms. Such incommensurate systems are analogous to doped insulating states that exhibit atom transport and compressibility. Initially, a commensurate system with unit filling and fixed atom number is prepared between two potential barriers. We deterministically create an incommensurate system by dynamically changing the position of the barriers such that the number of available lattice sites is reduced while retaining the atom number. Our systems are characterised by measuring the distribution of particles and holes as a function of the lattice filling, and interaction strength, and we probe the particle mobility by applying a bias potential. Our work provides the foundation for preparation of low-entropy states with controlled filling in optical-lattice experiments.
Direct RNA sequencing coupled with adaptive sampling enriches RNAs of interest in the transcriptome
Authors: Wang Jiaxu , Yang Lin , Cheng Anthony , Tham Cheng-Yong , Tan Wenting , Darmawan Jefferson , de Sessions Paola Florez , Wan Yue
Published: January 2024

Abundant cellular transcripts occupy most of the sequencing reads in the transcriptome, making it challenging to assay for low-abundant transcripts. Here, we utilize the adaptive sampling function of Oxford Nanopore sequencing to selectively deplete and enrich RNAs of interest without biochemical manipulation before sequencing. Adaptive sampling performed on a pool of in vitro transcribed RNAs resulted in a net increase of 22-30% in the proportion of transcripts of interest in the population. Enriching and depleting different proportions of the Candida albicans transcriptome also resulted in a 11-13.5% increase in the number of reads on target transcripts, with longer and more abundant transcripts being more efficiently depleted. Depleting all currently annotated Candida albicans transcripts did not result in an absolute enrichment of remaining transcripts, although we identified 26 previously unknown transcripts and isoforms, 17 of which are antisense to existing transcripts. Further improvements in the adaptive sampling of RNAs will allow the technology to be widely applied to study RNAs of interest in diverse transcriptomes.
Ultra-selective uranium separation by in-situ formation of π-f conjugated 2D uranium-organic framework
Authors: Zhang Qing Yun , Zhang Lin Juan , Zhu Jian Qiu , Gong Le Le , Huang Zhe Cheng , Gao Feng , Wang Jian Qiang , Xie Xian Qing , Luo Feng
Published: January 2024

With the rapid development of nuclear energy, problems with uranium supply chain and nuclear waste accumulation have motivated researchers to improve uranium separation methods. Here we show a paradigm for such goal based on the in-situ formation of π-f conjugated two-dimensional uranium-organic framework. After screening five π-conjugated organic ligands, we find that 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol would be the best one to construct uranium-organic framework, thus resulting in 100% uranium removal from both high and low concentration with the residual concentration far below the WHO drinking water standard (15 ppb), and 97% uranium capture from natural seawater (3.3 ppb) with a record uptake efficiency of 0.64 mg·g−1·d−1. We also find that 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol can overcome the ion-interference issue such as the presence of massive interference ions or a 21-ions mixed solution. Our finds confirm the superiority of our separation approach over established ones, and will provide a fundamental molecule design for separation upon metal-organic framework chemistry.
Ultrasmall single-layered NbSe2 nanotubes flattened within a chemical-driven self-pressurized carbon nanotube
Authors: Jiang Yaxin , Xiong Hao , Ying Tianping , Tian Guo , Chen Xiao , Wei Fei
Published: January 2024

Pressure can alter interatomic distances and its electrostatic interactions, exerting a profound modifying effect on electron orbitals and bonding patterns. Conventional pressure engineering relies on compressions from external sources, which raises significant challenge in precisely applying pressure on individual molecules and also consume substantial mechanical energy. Here we report ultrasmall single-layered NbSe2 flat tubes (< 2.31 nm) created by self-pressurization during the deselenization of NbSe3 within carbon nanotubes (CNTs). As the internal force (4–17 GPa) is three orders of magnitude larger than the shear strength between CNTs, the flat tube is locked to prevent slippage. Electrical transport measurements indicate that the large pressure within CNTs induces enhanced intermolecular electron correlations. The strictly one-dimensional NbSe2 flat tubes harboring the Luttinger liquid (LL) state, showing a higher tunneling exponent $${\alpha }_{{NbS}{e}_{2}{{{{{\rm{@}}}}}}{CNT}}\approx 0.32$$

α

N
b
S

e

2

@
C
N
T

≈
0.32
than pure CNTs ($${\alpha }_{{CNT}}\approx 0.22$$

α

C
N
T

≈
0.22
). This work suggests a novel chemical approach to self-pressurization for generating new material configurations and modulating electron interactions.
Self-propelled assembly of nanoparticles with self-catalytic regulation for tumour-specific imaging and therapy
Authors: Xia Mengmeng , Wang Qiyue , Liu Yamin , Fang Chunyan , Zhang Bo , Yang Shengfei , Zhou Fu , Lin Peihua , Gu Mingzheng , Huang Canyu , Zhang Xiaojun , Li Fangyuan , Liu Hongying , Wang Guangfeng , Ling Daishun
Published: January 2024

Targeted assembly of nanoparticles in biological systems holds great promise for disease-specific imaging and therapy. However, the current manipulation of nanoparticle dynamics is primarily limited to organic pericyclic reactions, which necessitate the introduction of synthetic functional groups as bioorthogonal handles on the nanoparticles, leading to complex and laborious design processes. Here, we report the synthesis of tyrosine (Tyr)-modified peptides-capped iodine (I) doped CuS nanoparticles (CuS-I@P1 NPs) as self-catalytic building blocks that undergo self-propelled assembly inside tumour cells via Tyr-Tyr condensation reactions catalyzed by the nanoparticles themselves. Upon cellular internalization, the CuS-I@P1 NPs undergo furin-guided condensation reactions, leading to the formation of CuS-I nanoparticle assemblies through dityrosine bond. The tumour-specific furin-instructed intracellular assembly of CuS-I NPs exhibits activatable dual-modal imaging capability and enhanced photothermal effect, enabling highly efficient imaging and therapy of tumours. The robust nanoparticle self-catalysis-regulated in situ assembly, facilitated by natural handles, offers the advantages of convenient fabrication, high reaction specificity, and biocompatibility, representing a generalizable strategy for target-specific activatable biomedical imaging and therapy.
Synergistic dual-phase air electrode enables high and durable performance of reversible proton ceramic electrochemical cells
Authors: Liu Zuoqing , Bai Yuesheng , Sun Hainan , Guan Daqin , Li Wenhuai , Huang Wei-Hsiang , Pao Chih-Wen , Hu Zhiwei , Yang Guangming , Zhu Yinlong , Ran Ran , Zhou Wei , Shao Zongping
Published: January 2024

Reversible proton ceramic electrochemical cells are promising solid-state ion devices for efficient power generation and energy storage, but necessitate effective air electrodes to accelerate the commercial application. Here, we construct a triple-conducting hybrid electrode through a stoichiometry tuning strategy, composed of a cubic phase Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ and a hexagonal phase Ba4Sr4(Co0.8Fe0.2)4O16−δ. Unlike the common method of creating self-assembled hybrids by breaking through material tolerance limits, the strategy of adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of the A-site/B-site not only achieves strong interactions between hybrid phases, but also can efficiently modifies the phase contents. When operate as an air electrode for reversible proton ceramic electrochemical cell, the hybrid electrode with unique dual-phase synergy shows excellent electrochemical performance with a current density of 3.73 A cm−2 @ 1.3 V in electrolysis mode and a peak power density of 1.99 W cm−2 in fuel cell mode at 650 °C.