bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of PEG‐PLGA nanoparticles on the pore structure of injectable and self‐healing hydrogels based on carboxymethyl chitosan/aldehyde sodium hyaluronate for prolonged sustained release of valsartan
Authors: Gao Chihao , Pan Lixia , Song Jie , Wei Min , Sun Haozhi , Su Feng , Shen Xin , Li Suming
Published: October 2023

Valsartan is almost insoluble, resulting in very low bioavailability. Preparing prolonged sustained‐release systems to achieve valsartan drug delivery is essential. Herein, two types of poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PEG‐PLGA) nanoparticles loading valsartan and carboxymethyl chitosan/aldehyde sodium hyaluronate hydrogels were prepared. The nanoparticles and hydrogel composites(NPs@Gel) were obtained by physical mixing. The NPs@Gel composites have swelling ratios within the scope from 157.87% to 206.51% and mass loss within the scope from 12.85% to 17.32%, influenced by incorporating PEG‐PLGA nanoparticles. Moreover, the NPs@Gel composites had properties of self‐healing and injection proven by rheological measurements. Importantly, adding nanoparticles could significantly reduce the swelling ratios of the hydrogels by shrinking the void fraction and enhancing the mechanical properties. Meanwhile, NPs@Gel composites also present excellent biocompatibility as evidenced by hemolysis test and MTT assay. Therefore, a potential prolonged sustained‐release system of NPs@Gel for the delivery of valsartan was achieved.
Mobility and self‐care outcomes in patients with a bariatric comorbidity during inpatient rehabilitation
Authors: Bines Kelcey , Strehlow Elizabeth , Gray Elizabeth , Nettnin Ella , Stoff Laura , Rafferty Miriam R.
Published: October 2023

Objective

First, we describe the characteristics and functional outcomes of obese and bariatric patients in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). Second, we assessed differences in functional outcomes for bariatric, obese, and standard weight body mass index (BMI) groups. Third, we explored whether these characteristics differ between time periods and diagnostic groups.

Design

A retrospective study comparing electronic medical record data collected in 2016 and 2018, using a repeated cross‐sectional cohort design.

Setting

IRF.

Participants

Individuals ≥18 years of age diagnosed with brain injury, medical complexity, general neurology, orthopedic, spinal cord injury (SCI), and stroke. Participants grouped as standard (BMI <30 kg/m2), obese (BMI 30–39 kg/m2), and bariatric (BMI ≥40 kg/m2) weights. (N = 2015 in 2016, N = 2768 in 2018.)

Interventions

Patients received standard inpatient rehabilitation. In 2018, clinicians had access to new weight‐appropriate equipment.

Main Outcome Measures

Discharge destination; length of stay (LOS) by BMI group and medical diagnoses; item‐specific functional independence measure (FIM) change scores.

Results

Sixty‐four percent to 67% of all BMI groups achieved a home discharge. The bariatric BMI group had a longer LOS (21 days) than the standard or obese groups. There was a significant interaction in a linear regression analysis between diagnosis and LOS, where LOS was longer in medically complex patients with bariatric BMI (19.3 days compared to 16.1 days) but shorter in bariatric patients with SCI (20.6 days) compared to standard weight patients (26.2 days). In 2018, the bariatric BMI group had greater average FIM change scores for bathing, lower body dressing, toilet transfers, and bed transfers.

Conclusions

Patient BMI is associated with LOS in the IRF, although affected by diagnosis. Patients with higher BMIs can make changes in specific individual motor FIM items. For patients with bariatric BMIs, FIM change scores were higher in 2018, possibly due to the use of equipment and facilities designed for higher weight capacities.
A new framework for predicting and understanding flowering time for crop breeding
Authors: Deva Chetan , Dixon Laura , Urban Milan , Ramirez‐Villegas Julian , Droutsas Ioannis , Challinor Andrew
Published: October 2023

Societal Impact Statement

As the growing season changes, the development of climate resilient crop varieties has emerged as a crucial adaptation in agricultural systems. Breeding new varieties for a changing climate requires enhanced capacity to predict the complex interactions between genotype and environment that determine flowering time. Hundreds of experiments with observations of flowering, the environment and plant genetics were used to build a model that can predict when a variety of common bean is going to flower. This model will help breeders to explore the phenological characteristics of their germplasm, speeding up selection for climate adaptation.

There is an urgent need to accelerate crop breeding for adaptation to a changing climate. As the growing season changes, crop improvement programmes must ensure that the phenological characteristics of the varieties they develop remain well suited to their target population of environments.

Meeting this challenge will require a clear understanding of how existing germplasm behave across Genotype ∗ Environment (G ∗ E) to enhance the efficiency of selection. Recent work calls for the development of simple models that can accurately simulate genotypic variation in key traits across target population of environments.

Accordingly, we develop a simple machine learning framework for modelling time to flowering across G ∗ E and apply this to common bean in an equatorial target population of environments. Within this framework, we test three machine learning models and find that the best performing models display high levels of accuracy across G ∗ E.

We advance understanding of the environmental drivers of flowering time in equatorial conditions by showing that thermal time and accumulated evaporation are powerful predictors of flowering time across all three models.
Surface‐Plasmon‐Polaritons for Reversible Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles, In Situ Nanogap Tuning, and SERS
Authors: Ghanashyam Cheviri , Sinha Rajeev K. , Bankapur Aseefhali
Published: October 2023

A transportable reversible assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in an aqueous environment addresses the need for in situ surafce‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) hotspot creation for biological applications. Usually, light‐directed AuNP assembly methods use higher laser powers and surfactants and are, hence, unsuitable for biological applications. Here, surface plasmon polaritons‐assisted dynamic assembly of AuNPs are demonstrated at laser power density as low as 100 nW µm−2. The AuNP assembly with multiple controllable hotspots is generated in an Au–water interface for solution‐based SERS measurements. The major advantage of the method is that the interparticle nanogap is tunable to achieve analyte and AuNP‐specific optimum SERS enhancement. The SERS intensity is reproducible on multiple reassembly cycles and assembly attempts, proving repeatability in the produced nanogap pattern. The assembly experiments reveal the influence of AuNP surface charge and the resulting polarizability on the SPP forces. The developed system and method can detect sulforhodamine 101 (SR101) dye molecules at concentrations as low as 10−10 m. Further, the SERS measurements on double‐stranded DNA suggest that the molecules are oriented in a fashion to expose adenosine to the enhanced field, leading to its dominance in the recorded spectra.
Interplay between pond size and matrix extent drives odonate diversity patterns in a fragmented landscape
Authors: Deacon Charl , Samways Michael J. , Pryke James S.
Published: October 2023

Landscape fragmentation impacts freshwater habitats and their quality, affecting aquatic insect assemblages. Adjacent terrestrial areas are important secondary habitats where amphibiotic insects mature, feed, find mates, and move to locate aquatic breeding habitats. Using a factorial design with 27 small and large ponds within small and large natural patches in an exotic tree plantation-fragmented landscape of South Africa, and odonates as model organisms, we investigated (1) how pond size/natural terrestrial patch size interaction affects odonate diversity patterns versus habitat quality variables, and (2) determined whether anisopterans and zygopterans respond differently to landscape fragmentation. Species richness was similar among ponds. However, odonate abundance was highest in large ponds regardless of natural terrestrial patch size. Zygopteran functional richness and diversity was driven by pond and natural patch size, suggesting that zygopterans are sensitive to landscape fragmentation. In contrast, anisopterans were more resilient to fragmentation and more likely to select suitable habitats following water chemistry and vegetation characteristics. Overall, large ponds were occupied by different odonate assemblages compared to small ponds, and occupancy was strongly associated with mobility traits. These findings emphasize that ponds in both small and large natural terrestrial patches have conservation value. A pondscape that represents various pond sizes is important for maintaining regional odonate diversity. Pond conservation needs to be considered in the wider terrestrial context, which host a range of important secondary habitats. Adjacent natural terrestrial habitats also connect nearby aquatic habitats, which enable insects to move across the landscape in response to natural and artificial drivers.
The Role of Oxidative Stress in Trisomy 21 Phenotype
Authors: Buczyńska Angelika , Sidorkiewicz Iwona , Krętowski Adam Jacek , Zbucka-Krętowska Monika
Published: October 2023

Extensive research has been conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the deregulated metabolic pathways in the development of trisomy 21 (T21) or Down syndrome. This research has shed light on the hypothesis that oxidative stress plays a significant role in the manifestation of the T21 phenotype. Although in vivo studies have shown promising results in mitigating the detrimental effects of oxidative stress, there is currently a lack of introduced antioxidant treatment options targeting cognitive impairments associated with T21. To address this gap, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to provide an updated overview of the involvement of oxidative stress in T21. The review aimed to summarize the insights into the pathogenesis of the Down syndrome phenotype and present the findings of recent innovative research that focuses on improving cognitive function in T21 through various antioxidant interventions. By examining the existing literature, this research seeks to provide a holistic understanding of the role oxidative stress plays in the development of T21 and to explore novel approaches that target multiple aspects of antioxidant intervention to improve cognitive function in individuals with Down syndrome.

Graphical Abstract

The guides -base systematic review process (Hutton et al. 2015).
A study of progressive hedging for stochastic integer programming
Authors: Christiansen Jeffrey , Dandurand Brian , Eberhard Andrew , Oliveira Fabricio
Published: October 2023

Motivated by recent literature demonstrating the surprising effectiveness of the heuristic application of progressive hedging (PH) to stochastic mixed-integer programming (SMIP) problems, we provide theoretical support for the inclusion of integer variables, bridging the gap between theory and practice. We provide greater insight into the following observed phenomena of PH as applied to SMIP where optimal or at least feasible convergence is observed. We provide an analysis of a modified PH algorithm from a different viewpoint, drawing on the interleaving of (split) proximal-point methods (including PH), Gauss–Seidel methods, and the utilisation of variational analysis tools. Through this analysis, we show that under mild conditions, convergence to a feasible solution should be expected. In terms of convergence analysis, we provide two main contributions. First, we contribute insight into the convergence of proximal-point-like methods in the presence of integer variables via the introduction of the notion of persistent local minima. Secondly, we contribute an enhanced Gauss–Seidel convergence analysis that accommodates the variation of the objective function under mild assumptions. We provide a practical implementation of a modified PH and demonstrate its convergent behaviour with computational experiments in line with the provided analysis.
Competence Ratings in Psychotherapy Training – A Complex Matter
Authors: Paunov Tatjana , Weck Florian , Heinze Peter E. , Maaß Ulrike , Kühne Franziska
Published: October 2023

Background

The reliable assessment of competence is crucial for promoting the professional development of therapists. However, competence assessments are rarely included in training and research as these procedures are resource-intensive and costly, commonly relying on independent raters with high levels of expertise and extensive training. This study aimed to compare the interrater reliability (IRR) of raters with different levels of expertise. We also examined the impact of different camera perspectives on IRR.

Methods

We examined the IRR of six independent raters based on competence assessments in a standardized setting. Two raters were experienced psychotherapists (experts), and four were psychology students (novices; with/without supervision). All raters evaluated N = 359 videos of students performing role plays with standardized patients who were simulating depressive symptoms and behavior. For each video, the raters independently assessed basic communication skills (Clinical Communication Skills Scale–Short Form; CCSS-S), psychotherapeutic competence (Cognitive Therapy Scale; CTS), empathy (Empathy Scale; ES) and therapeutic alliance (Helping Alliance Questionnaire; HAQ).

Results

IRR varied depending on rater expertise and assessment measures, with the lowest intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for empathy (ES; ICCs = 0.39-0.67) and the highest ICCs for psychotherapeutic competence (CTS; ICCs = 0.66-0.78). The concordance between expert raters and supervised novice raters was good (ICCs = 0.71-0.86). The camera perspective did not influence the reliability of the ratings.

Conclusions

With appropriate training and regular supervision, the novices assessed therapeutic behavior in standardized role plays with reliability comparable to that of the experts. Further research is needed regarding the reliable assessment of more complex therapy situations.
Can police camping ticket geographies facilitate homeless outreach? Identifying harms and people in homeless encampments
Authors: Reinhard Daniel , Stafford Mark C.
Published: October 2023

Unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) encounter many kinds of harm, and it is often unclear what data sources can be leveraged to connect PEH to services. The present study contributes by first examining crime near encampments, and then determining the utility of police tickets to aid outreach to PEH who camp in public spaces. Using Boulder Colorado and Boulder Colorado Police Department data from November 2021 to October 2022, location quotients suggest that crime is approximately three times more concentrated near encampments identified by residents, and seven times more concentrated near encampments identified with police data. Police tickets for outdoor camping were concentrated among a small number of all ticketed persons. People ticketed most camped in the same area multiple times, and had camps established within a small number of geographically proximate locations. Results suggest outreach efforts to specific PEH could be enhanced with police camping ticket geographies, and this supports a coordinated response to homelessness.
Reciprocal Associations Between Science Efficacy, STEM Identity and Scientist Career Interest Among Adolescent Girls within the Context of Informal Science Learning
Authors: Zhao Mengya , Ozturk Emine , Law Fidelia , Joy Angelina , Deutsch Ashley R. , Marlow Christina S. , Mathews Channing J. , McGuire Luke , Hoffman Adam J. , Balkwill Frances , Burns Karen P. , Butler Laurence , Drews Marc , Fields Grace , Smith Hannah , Winterbottom Mark , Mulvey Kelly Lynn , Hartstone-Rose Adam , Rutland Adam
Published: October 2023

Limited research has explored the longitudinal pathway to youth career interests via identity and efficacy together. This study examined the longitudinal associations between science efficacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) identity, and scientist career interest among girls who are historically considered as an underrepresented group among scientists. The sample included 308 girls (M age = 15.22, SD age = 1.66; 42.8% White) from six STEM youth programs, each at a different informal science learning site within the U.K. and the U.S. Longitudinal structural equation modelling demonstrated that science efficacy consistently predicted STEM identity and scientist career interest, and similarly, STEM identity consistently predicted science efficacy over a two-year period. Scientist career interest at 12 months predicted science efficacy at 24 months. The coefficients of efficacy predicting STEM identity and scientist career interest were significantly larger compared to STEM identity and scientist career interest in predicting science efficacy from 12 months to 24 months. Further mediation analysis supported a significant pathway from STEM identity at 3 months to scientist career interest at 24 months via 12-month science efficacy. The findings highlight that science efficacy and STEM identity for girls relate to their scientist career interest and these longitudinal associations are reciprocal. This study suggests that science efficacy and STEM identity mutually influence each other, and enhancing science efficacy and STEM identity is key to promoting adolescents’ interest in being a scientist.
Ambitious people are more prone to support resource-intensive aid programs
Authors: Viola Marta , Kruglanski Arie W. , Ellenberg Molly , Pierro Antonio
Published: October 2023

In line with Significance Quest Theory (SQT, Kruglanski et al., 2022) and Costly Signaling Theory (CST, Zahavi, 1995), the present research aims to investigate the relationship between individual differences in ambition and support for costly (in terms of investment of personal resources) aid programs. Consistent with SQT, which holds that the quest for significance is a universal need that may lead to any type (e.g., violent or prosocial) of extreme behavior in order to satisfy it, we hypothesized that ambitious (vs. less ambitious) people are more motivated to engage in resource-intensive aid programs. In four studies (Total N = 744), both correlational (Studies 1 and 4) and experimental (Studies 2 and 3), we found a significant positive relationship between levels of ambition and support for resource-intensive aid programs; this relationship was mediated by difficulty perceived as important, i.e., the attribution of high value to difficult tasks and goals (Study 4).
Interactions Between Flow Fields Induced by Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge Arrays
Authors: Böddecker Alexander , Passmann Maximilian , Wilczek Sebastian , Schücke Lars , Korolov Ihor , Skoda Romuald , Mussenbrock Thomas , Gibson Andrew R. , Awakowicz Peter
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the flow field induced by a surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) system, known for its efficient pollution remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We aim to understand the flow dynamics that contribute to the high conversion observed in similar systems using this specific SDBD design. Examining how the surface discharge affects the gas mixing in chemical processes is important for both understanding the fundamentals and for potential industrial applications. Experimental techniques, including schlieren imaging and particle image velocimetry (PIV), applied with high temporal resolution, were used to analyse the flow field. Complementary, fluid simulations are employed to investigate the coupling between streamer and gas dynamics. Results show distinct fluid field behaviours for different electrode configurations, which differ in geometric complexity. The fluid field analysis of the most basic electrode design revealed behaviours commonly observed in actuator studies. The simulation results indicate the local information about the electron density as well as different temporal phases of the fluid flow velocity field containing the development of the experimental found vortex structure, its direction and speed of rotation. The electrode design with mostly parallel grid line structures exhibits confined vortices near the surface. In contrast, an electrode design also used in previous studies, is shown to promote strong gas transport through extended vortex structures, enhancing gas mixing and potentially explaining the high conversion observed.
What We Do and Don’t Know About Joint Attention
Authors: Moll Henrike
Published: October 2023

Joint attention is an early-emerging and uniquely human capacity that lies at the foundation of many other capacities of humans, such as language and the understanding of other minds. In this article, I summarize what developmentalists and philosophers have come to find out about joint attention, and I end by stating that two problems or questions of joint attention require additional research: 1) the relation between joint attention and the skills for dyadic sharing or affect exchange in young infants, and 2) the evolution of joint attention.
Presence of anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies in sheep (Ovis aries) in Spain
Authors: Villanueva-Saz Sergio , Lebrero María Eugenia , Solsona Alba , Ramos Juan José , de Arcaute Marta Ruíz , Ruíz Héctor , Pérez María D. , Bello José María , Verde Maite , Ortín Aurora , Marteles Diana , Fernández Antonio , Gómez Alex , Trotta Michele , Lacasta Delia
Published: October 2023

Sandflies are the primary transmission vector for Leishmania spp parasite in endemic regions. The role of other animals, different from the dog, is under discussion in the leishmaniosis endemic countries. A limited number of reports have been published on the possible role of livestock in European countries for Leishmania maintenance and diffusion. The aim of the present study was to perform a serosurvey on sheep in areas of Spain that are endemic for zoonotic leishmaniosis and establish the possible role of sheep regarding Leishmania infantum infection in endemic areas. Three hundred and two serum samples were obtained from sheep and were evaluated for serological survey to detect L. infantum by using the in-house ELISA technique. Twenty-eight out of the 302 samples included in this study, were positive for L. infantum antibodies (9.27%). In the present study, a significant association was found between adult age and seropositivity (p = 0.006) and female gender and seropositivity (p = 0.02). This association has not been previously described in other European studies related to L. infantum infection in sheep. Our study reveals that domestic sheep in a European Mediterranean country are exposed to L. infantum. To our knowledge, this study demonstrates the presence of seropositive sheep in different regions of Spain for the first time. Further epidemiological studies focus on evaluating the rural cycle of this parasite to know if livestock could act as a potential reservoir are needed.
The parabolic algebra revisited
Authors: Kastis Eleftherios , Power Stephen C.
Published: October 2023

The parabolic algebra $${{\cal A}_p}$$

A
p

is the weakly closed operator algebra on $${L^2}(\mathbb{R})$$

L
2

(
ℝ
)
generated by the unitary semigroup of right translations and the unitary semigroup of multiplication by the analytic exponential functions $${e^{i\lambda x}},\lambda\ge 0$$

e

i
λ
x

,
λ
≥
0
. It is reflexive, with an invariant subspace lattice $${\rm{Lat}}{{\cal A}_p}$$
Lat

A
p

which is naturally homeomorphic to the unit disc (Katavolos and Power, 1997). The structure of $${\rm{Lat}}{{\cal A}_p}$$
Lat

A
p

is used to classify strongly irreducible isometric representations of the partial Weyl commutation relations. A formal generalisation of Arveson’s notion of a synthetic commutative subspace lattice is given for general subspace lattices, and it is shown that $${\rm{Lat}}{{\cal A}_p}$$
Lat

A
p

is not synthetic relative to the $${H^\infty}(\mathbb{R})$$

H
∞

(
ℝ
)
subalgebra of $${{\cal A}_p}$$

A
p

. Also, various new operator algebras, derived from isometric representations and from compact perturbations of $${{\cal A}_p}$$

A
p

, are defined and identified.
Experimental evaluation of corrosion inhibitors for completion fluids in the petroleum production systems
Authors: Retnanto Albertus , Yrac Rommel , Shaikh Afsha , Alagha Rand , Alsulaiti Fay , Chagouri Tariq
Published: October 2023

Corrosion is the natural and continuous degradation of materials caused by either chemical, mechanical, or electrochemical reactions. Corrosion inhibitors may be added to the completion fluids to address corrosion problems efficiently. It is critical to add corrosion inhibitors in completion fluids, specifically under high-temperature conditions, since the corrosion rate is higher when the temperature is high. This corrosion process limits the life of the drill tools or the oil and gas well and causes formation damage. This research studied corrosion and corrosion inhibition treatments for five completion fluids, namely potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium bromide, calcium chloride, and calcium bromide. Phosphate and sulfite-based corrosion inhibitors were individually added to the completion fluids, and their corrosion properties were studied to tackle the corrosion issue. In addition, a mixture of phosphate-based and sulfite-based corrosion inhibitors in completion fluids was studied. Additionally, the experimental results recommend using divalent brines as they were identified as a better medium for lowering corrosion rate and conditions than the monovalent brines. A novel aspect of this study is that the materials leveraged for conducting experiments are also used in actual petroleum production field operations. The experiments demonstrate that the corrosion rate can be efficiently controlled at high temperatures in deeper wells.
The Differential Experience of COVID-19 on Asian American Subgroups: The Los Angeles Pandemic Surveillance Cohort Study
Authors: Lam Chun Nok , Tam Benjamin , Kawaguchi Eric S. , Unger Jennifer B. , Hur Kevin
Published: October 2023

Data from Asian Americans (AsA) are commonly aggregated in research studies and reporting, obscuring the significant differences across AsA subgroups. We investigated the differential experience of AsA subgroups in COVID-19 testing, vaccination, engagement in risky and protective behaviors and mental health status against this infectious disease. We surveyed a representative sample of the Los Angeles County population (N = 5500) in April 2021 as part of the Los Angeles Pandemic Surveillance Cohort Study and focused on participants who self-identified as AsA (N = 756). There were significant differences across the AsA subgroups, with Koreans, Asian Indians, and Other Asians living in areas with higher COVID-19 mortality rates, and Asian Indians demonstrating the lowest proportion of COVID-19 vaccination. Vietnamese and Koreans had a higher proportion of becoming unemployed during the pandemic. Although the AsA sample on average demonstrated better outcomes than other racial and ethnic groups, the apparent advantages were heterogenous and due to specific subgroups of AsAs rather than AsAs as a whole. The observed differences in COVID-19 measures across AsA subgroups underscore the need to disaggregate AsA data to identify and reduce existing disparities.
Asian Courts in Times of COVID: Virtualization and the New Normal
Authors: Yeo Alvin , Chan Hock Keng
Published: October 2023

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has caused restrictive measures to be established in many sectors including the legal and judicial sector; an example is the use of electronic litigation systems and video-conferencing facilities for trials. With the implementation of changes in the legal and judicial sector to adapt to restrictions arising from the pandemic, there is the question of whether the current rules governing civil-court proceedings are designed to accommodate these changes. This article seeks to explore the measures taken by courts in response to the pandemic with a focus on Asia, notably Singapore. The article will outline the legal basis for the use of live video links for the purpose of witness evidence-taking under Singapore law and the possible implications will be reviewed taking Singapore’s civil proceedings as an example in comparison with other jurisdictions.
A mathematical promenade along parallel paths
Authors: Kobal Damjan
Published: October 2023

Imagine that you go for a walk with your friend. You walk along a closed loop around a university campus, finishing at the point where you started. You and your friend keep the same distance throughout your walk. You walk on the ‘outside’.
Computing indefinite integrals by difference equations
Authors: Nurkanović Mehmed , Trumić Mirsad
Published: October 2023

In teaching mathematics to first-year undergraduates, and thus in the appropriate calculus textbooks, the task of calculating an integral that satisfies a specific first-order or second-order recurrence relation often appears. These relations are obtained mainly by applying the method of integration by parts. Calculating such integrals is usually tedious, especially for an integer n > 2, time-consuming, and presents the possibility of making a large number of errors when computing involves multiple iterative steps. In [1], it is shown that in two cases (Theorems 2.1. and 2.3), the process of calculating integrals satisfying first-order recurrence relations can be performed quickly using easily memorised closed-form formulas for corresponding primitive functions. The question can rightly be asked whether there is a faster way to calculate other integrals of this type. In this paper, our goal is to give an affirmative answer to such a question, though without convering all situations. Since each recurrence relation is equivalent to a difference equation of the same order, the calculation of integrals mentioned above can be reduced to solving the corresponding difference equations. Since every first-order or second-order linear difference equation is solvable, it follows that for every integral which can be reduced to a first- order or second-order recurrence formula, it is possible to find corresponding primitive functions directly. Sometimes such a procedure is much faster than iterative solving of the integral. Closed-form formulas for the integrals discussed in the following sections are not unknown (see [2]). However, here our goal is to present the idea of computing indefinite integrals using difference equations. We will discuss it in more detail in Section 2. In Section 3, we discuss the application of the results obtained to calculate several improper integrals and the application of some of them in different sciences. An exciting example of such an application is the integral , which in the case n = 1 is used in the kinetic theory of gases, particularly in the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of gas molecules by energies (see Remark 4). Also, we compare the formulas obtained by the method of difference equations with the formulas obtained using Wolfram Alpha software (see Remark 5).
The Exclusionary Power of Political Directives
Authors: Yuan Yuan
Published: October 2023

I defend the exclusionary power of political directives. The prevailing account, which I call the additive account, holds that a legitimate directive only provides a pro tanto obligation for subjects to comply. I show that it falls into a Goldilocks dilemma, giving either insufficient or excessive weight to these obligations. Pace the additive account, I argue that a legitimate directive not only gives subjects a pro tanto reason to comply but also excludes all the reasons bearing on its justifiability regarding subjects’ actions as required by the directive. Unlike Raz, who grounds the exclusionary power of legitimate directives on authorities’ supposedly superior epistemic competence, I justify it by drawing on Kantian political philosophy, which grants states a unique moral standing to make coercive decisions on behalf of their citizenry as a solution to the problem of unilateralism.
A Linguistic Analysis of Instagram Captions Between Adolescent Suicide Decedents and Living Controls
Authors: Walker Alex , Zirikly Ayah , Stockbridge Melissa , Wilcox Holly C.
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Background: Suicide rates continue to rise for adolescents in the United States. 62% of teenagers use Instagram, and as technology and research in this domain advance, social media posts could provide insights into near-term adolescent risk states and could inform new strategies for suicide prevention. This study analyzed language in captions of teenagers’ Instagram accounts in the 3 months before suicide and compared caption language to matched living controls. Method: The study identified 89 teenagers who died by suicide using obituaries and news reports and 89 matched living control teenagers. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software was used to test for differences in specific language categories across linguistic, psychological, and topical categories (e.g., word count, tone, grammar, affective, cognitive, social, punctuation marks, etc.). Results: Significant differences between suicide decedents and living controls were found. Adolescent suicide decedents used more words per sentence, more references to sadness, male individuals, drives, and leisure and fewer verbs and references to they, affiliation, achievement, and power. Limitations: Methodological limitations include the use of only public accounts, small sample size, occasional short posts, and lack of adjustment for multiple testing. Conclusion: Although the sample size is relatively small and only included youth with public accounts, we identified differences in Instagram caption language between adolescents who died by suicide as compared to living controls.
Metformin improves cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia: associated with enhanced functional connectivity of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Shao Tiannan , Huang Jing , Zhao Yuxin , Wang Weiyan , Tian Xiaohan , Hei Gangrui , Kang Dongyu , Gao Yong , Liu Fangkun , Zhao Jingping , Liu Bing , Yuan Ti-Fei , Wu Renrong
Published: October 2023

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia, which is aggravated by antipsychotics-induced metabolic disturbance and lacks effective pharmacologic treatments in clinical practice. Our previous study demonstrated the efficiency of metformin in alleviating metabolic disturbance following antipsychotic administration. Here we report that metformin could ameliorate cognitive impairment and improve functional connectivity (FC) in prefrontal regions. This is an open-labeled, evaluator-blinded study. Clinically stable patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive antipsychotics plus metformin (N = 48) or antipsychotics alone (N = 24) for 24 weeks. The improvement in cognition was assessed by the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Its association with metabolic measurements, and voxel-wise whole-brain FC with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) subregions as seeds were evaluated. When compared to the antipsychotics alone group, the addition of metformin resulted in significantly greater improvements in the MCCB composite score, speed of processing, working memory, verbal learning, and visual learning. A significant time × group interaction effect of increased FC between DLPFC and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)/middle cingulate cortex (MCC), and between DLPFC subregions were observed after metformin treatment, which was positively correlated with MCCB cognitive performance. Furthermore, the FC between left DLPFC A9/46d to right ACC/MCC significantly mediated metformin-induced speed of processing improvement; the FC between left A46 to right ACC significantly mediated metformin-induced verbal learning improvement. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that metformin can improve cognitive impairments in schizophrenia patients and is partly related to the FC changes in the DLPFC. Trial Registration: The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03271866). The full trial protocol is provided in Supplementary Material.
Treatment with trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and brain metastases and/or leptomeningeal disease (ROSET-BM)
Authors: Niikura Naoki , Yamanaka Takashi , Nomura Hironori , Shiraishi Kazuhiro , Kusama Hiroki , Yamamoto Mitsugu , Matsuura Kazuo , Inoue Kenichi , Takahara Sachiko , Kita Shosuke , Yamaguchi Miki , Aruga Tomoyuki , Shibata Nobuhiro , Shimomura Akihiko , Ozaki Yuri , Sakai Shuji , Kiga Yoko , Izutani Tadahiro , Shiosakai Kazuhito , Tsurutani Junji
Published: October 2023

Therapeutic options for breast cancer patients with brain metastases (BM)/leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) are limited. Here, we report on the effectiveness and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer patients with BM. Data were analyzed for 104 patients administered T-DXd. Overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), intracranial (IC)-ORR, and IC-PFS were evaluated. ORR by investigator assessment was 55.7% (total population). Median PFS was 16.1 months; 12-month OS rate was 74.9% (total population). Median time-to-treatment failure was 9.7 months. In 51 patients with BM imaging, IC-ORR and median IC-PFS by independent central review were 62.7% and 16.1 months, respectively. In 19 LMC patients, 12-month PFS and OS rates were 60.7% and 87.1%, respectively. T-DXd showed effectiveness regarding IC-ORR, IC-PFS, PFS, and OS in breast cancer patients with BM/active BM, and sustained systemic and central nervous system disease control in LMC patients.

Trial Registration: UMIN000044995.
High-fidelity parallel entangling gates on a neutral-atom quantum computer
Authors: Evered Simon J. , Bluvstein Dolev , Kalinowski Marcin , Ebadi Sepehr , Manovitz Tom , Zhou Hengyun , Li Sophie H. , Geim Alexandra A. , Wang Tout T. , Maskara Nishad , Levine Harry , Semeghini Giulia , Greiner Markus , Vuletić Vladan , Lukin Mikhail D.
Published: October 2023

The ability to perform entangling quantum operations with low error rates in a scalable fashion is a central element of useful quantum information processing1. Neutral-atom arrays have recently emerged as a promising quantum computing platform, featuring coherent control over hundreds of qubits2,3and any-to-any gate connectivity in a flexible, dynamically reconfigurable architecture4. The main outstanding challenge has been to reduce errors in entangling operations mediated through Rydberg interactions5. Here we report the realization of two-qubit entangling gates with 99.5% fidelity on up to 60 atoms in parallel, surpassing the surface-code threshold for error correction6,7. Our method uses fast, single-pulse gates based on optimal control8, atomic dark states to reduce scattering9and improvements to Rydberg excitation and atom cooling. We benchmark fidelity using several methods based on repeated gate applications10,11, characterize the physical error sources and outline future improvements. Finally, we generalize our method to design entangling gates involving a higher number of qubits, which we demonstrate by realizing low-error three-qubit gates12,13. By enabling high-fidelity operation in a scalable, highly connected system, these advances lay the groundwork for large-scale implementation of quantum algorithms14, error-corrected circuits7and digital simulations15.
State estimation of a physical system with unknown governing equations
Authors: Course Kevin , Nair Prasanth B.
Published: October 2023

State estimation is concerned with reconciling noisy observations of a physical system with the mathematical model believed to predict its behaviour for the purpose of inferring unmeasurable states and denoising measurable ones1,2. Traditional state-estimation techniques rely on strong assumptions about the form of uncertainty in mathematical models, typically that it manifests as an additive stochastic perturbation or is parametric in nature3. Here we present a reparametrization trick for stochastic variational inference with Markov Gaussian processes that enables an approximate Bayesian approach for state estimation in which the equations governing how the system evolves over time are partially or completely unknown. In contrast to classical state-estimation techniques, our method learns the missing terms in the mathematical model and a state estimate simultaneously from an approximate Bayesian perspective. This development enables the application of state-estimation methods to problems that have so far proved to be beyond reach. Finally, although we focus on state estimation, the advancements to stochastic variational inference made here are applicable to a broader class of problems in machine learning.
Design and testing of a humanized porcine donor for xenotransplantation
Authors: Anand Ranjith P. , Layer Jacob V. , Heja David , Hirose Takayuki , Lassiter Grace , Firl Daniel J. , Paragas Violette B. , Akkad Adam , Chhangawala Sagar , Colvin Robert B. , Ernst Russell J. , Esch Nicholas , Getchell Kristen , Griffin Alexandra K. , Guo Xiaoyun , Hall Katherine C. , Hamilton Paula , Kalekar Lokesh A. , Kan Yinan , Karadagi Ahmad , Li Feng , Low Susan C. , Matheson Rudy , Nehring Claudia , Otsuka Ryo , Pandelakis Matthew , Policastro Robert A. , Pols Rebecca , Queiroz Luis , Rosales Ivy A. , Serkin William T. , Stiede Kathryn , Tomosugi Toshihide , Xue Yongqiang , Zentner Gabriel E. , Angeles-Albores David , Chris Chao J. , Crabtree Juliet N. , Harken Sierra , Hinkle Nicole , Lemos Tania , Li Mailin , Pantano Lorena , Stevens Denise , Subedar Omar D. , Tan Xiaoqing , Yin Shiyi , Anwar Imran J. , Aufhauser David , Capuano Saverio , Kaufman Dixon B. , Knechtle Stuart J. , Kwun Jean , Shanmuganayagam Dhanansayan , Markmann James F. , Church George M. , Curtis Mike , Kawai Tatsuo , Youd Michele E. , Qin Wenning
Published: October 2023

Recent human decedent model studies1,2 and compassionate xenograft use3 have explored the promise of porcine organs for human transplantation. To proceed to human studies, a clinically ready porcine donor must be engineered and its xenograft successfully tested in nonhuman primates. Here we describe the design, creation and long-term life-supporting function of kidney grafts from a genetically engineered porcine donor transplanted into a cynomolgus monkey model. The porcine donor was engineered to carry 69 genomic edits, eliminating glycan antigens, overexpressing human transgenes and inactivating porcine endogenous retroviruses. In vitro functional analyses showed that the edited kidney endothelial cells modulated inflammation to an extent that was indistinguishable from that of human endothelial cells, suggesting that these edited cells acquired a high level of human immune compatibility. When transplanted into cynomolgus monkeys, the kidneys with three glycan antigen knockouts alone experienced poor graft survival, whereas those with glycan antigen knockouts and human transgene expression demonstrated significantly longer survival time, suggesting the benefit of human transgene expression in vivo. These results show that preclinical studies of renal xenotransplantation could be successfully conducted in nonhuman primates and bring us closer to clinical trials of genetically engineered porcine renal grafts.
Learning from prepandemic data to forecast viral escape
Authors: Thadani Nicole N. , Gurev Sarah , Notin Pascal , Youssef Noor , Rollins Nathan J. , Ritter Daniel , Sander Chris , Gal Yarin , Marks Debora S.
Published: October 2023

Effective pandemic preparedness relies on anticipating viral mutations that are able to evade host immune responses to facilitate vaccine and therapeutic design. However, current strategies for viral evolution prediction are not available early in a pandemic—experimental approaches require host polyclonal antibodies to test against1–16, and existing computational methods draw heavily from current strain prevalence to make reliable predictions of variants of concern17–19. To address this, we developed EVEscape, a generalizable modular framework that combines fitness predictions from a deep learning model of historical sequences with biophysical and structural information. EVEscape quantifies the viral escape potential of mutations at scale and has the advantage of being applicable before surveillance sequencing, experimental scans or three-dimensional structures of antibody complexes are available. We demonstrate that EVEscape, trained on sequences available before 2020, is as accurate as high-throughput experimental scans at anticipating pandemic variation for SARS-CoV-2 and is generalizable to other viruses including influenza, HIV and understudied viruses with pandemic potential such as Lassa and Nipah. We provide continually revised escape scores for all current strains of SARS-CoV-2 and predict probable further mutations to forecast emerging strains as a tool for continuing vaccine development (evescape.org).
Force prediction in the cylindrical grip for a model of hand prosthesis
Authors: Drelich Ewelina , Tracz Jan , Cisowski Adam , Kowalik Michał , Figurski Aleksy , Kwacz Monika , Rządkowski Witold
Published: October 2023

The aim of this paper is to present an analytical method of calculating forces acting on the thumb, index, middle finger, and metacarpal part of a hand prosthesis in a cylindrical grip. This prehension pattern represents a common operation of grabbing and manipulating everyday life objects. The design process assumed that such a prosthesis would have 5 fully operating fingers and 18 total degrees of freedom: three for each finger including the thumb, and another three for the wrist. The assumed load was 1 kg and the diameter equaled 70 mm, representing a water bottle. The method was based on analytical mechanics and as opposed to experiments or numerical methods does not require many resources. The calculations involved solving a system with seven unknown forces using an equilibrium equation for forces and moments in all three axes. The resulting equations were presented in a matrix form and solved using MATLAB software. The validation of the method with an experiment using FSR sensors and comparing it to other reports showed differences in index and middle finger involvement. However, the total sum of forces was similar, therefore it is reasoned that the grip can be performed and the prediction was accurate for the thumb and metacarpal. When using the model, the friction coefficient must be chosen with a safe margin as it influences the grip force. The presented method can be used for other models and designs by inserting their dimensions into the equations and solving them numerically to obtain forces useful in mechatronics design.